Lots of peopel wonder this question: can I swim in my wig?
If you are one of those who seek an answer to that question, find relief in this answer: YES!
But there are a lot of things to consider. So the following are 9 important guidelines you need to know when you swim with your wig on:
Let’s dive right in.
1. Do a self-assessment
How confident and comfortable are you swimming in a wig?
You have probably mastered the ease of wearing your wig while in school, at work, in supermarkets, restaurants, parks or church.
However, extra care is needed in doing more physically demanding activities like swimming or diving in a pool or open sea, especially now that your substitute hair is exposed to air and water.
You want to wear a wig while swimming in order to enjoy the moment without worrying that your bald patches, thinning hair or bald head is exposed.
So if you keep getting anxious about how you look while in the water and keep adjusting your wig, which really can spoil the fun.
If this is the case, maybe you should find an alternative to wearing a wig or better yet, just do other enjoyable activities out of the water.
But if you really want assurance that wearing a wig while doing aquatic activities is perfectly safe, then keep reading on and learn more before you dip, plunge and dive!
2. Do a trial run of your wig
As you count the number of days to your beach vacation or pool party with great excitement, do a trial run of your wig and see how it will function when submerged in water, or discover what needs to be improved.
Test the wig underwater (maybe in a more private pool in your condominium building, at your friend’s house, or in a large bathtub) and experiment with different types of adhesives.
Then decide which solution would provide the best hold for your wig underwater.
While doing a trial swim in your wig, perform the vigorous activities and movements you normally do while swimming and check how they affect your wig’s condition and form.
Doing a trial run will spare you from embarrassment and discomfort on the big day. You’ll never fail if you come prepared.
3. Use a different wig for swimming
A wig, when used regularly under normal circumstances, can be subject to wear and tear, and this is during non-vigorous activities like sitting in class, attending business meetings or doing grocery shopping.
How much more wear will your wig suffer when it is used for swimming?
Not only will it need more care in keeping it in place during every move you make under the water, but it will also be subjected to the harsh effects of chlorine in the pool or salt in the water and air.
A strong chemical, chlorine is used for disinfection and sanitation of water in the swimming pool.
Yes, it kills pathogens and pollutants in the water, but toxic compounds can also be formed that can be rough on human skin and hair as well as on the fibers of synthetic hair.
Salt has been used since ancient times until now to cure and preserve meats and fish. They are covered with salt to dry them up and prevent the accumulation of bacteria.
So imagine what salt water can do to your wig – it will suck it dry until and take away the luster and moisture of the hair.
The dryness of the wig will be worsened as it is also exposed to salty air in a beach environment.
So, leave your favorite and pricey wig on its stand when you hit the beach or jump into a pool.
When indulging in your aquatic activities, it is highly necessary to use a different wig that doesn’t have to be expensive or made of human hair.
Even with a synthetic hairpiece, you can still enjoy yourself to the max and make a splash!
4. Opt for short style wigs
Covering your head with long, human hair wigs, especially during the hot season, can double the heat you’ll feel.
The summer weather in itself is hot and the weight of a natural-looking human wig can cause you to “overheat”.
So to still feel comfortable and cool when swimming under the scorching sun, humid air and salty water, why not choose to wear a short style wig (preferably a synthetic wig that has a permanent style)?
It is lighter and easier to maintain. Here are three short style wigs that might suit your taste:
Pixie Style Wigs
The cut is like a variant of a cropped hairstyle but the pixie style has slightly longer hair on top while maintaining a short cut on the side and back.
Boy Cut Wigs
It can be the shortest possible style of wig, but it’s better than being bald (only if you’re not comfortable being one). Its boyish, no-fuss style needs little to no styling, so you save time and effort wearing this type of wig.
Bob Style Wigs
This still a short style of wig that has straight hair at about jaw-level and often with bangs in front. This one is more feminine yet easy to manage, especially when you swim.
5. Braid or ponytail your long wigs
You’ve been used to wearing long wigs that complement your best facial features or fit your lifestyle. And so for your swimming wig, you’ll still want to go for long locks.
If a long hair wig is your choice to add wattage to your beach babe or swimming champ aura, the appropriate way to style it is either braid it or tie it in a ponytail.
These water-friendly styles will keep the wig’s hair in one place. Otherwise, the loose wet hair can get tangled or entwined and will be difficult to smooth out while brushing it.
6. Secure your wig with waterproof tape or glue
What could be worse than floating in the pool side by side with your now detached long deep-black wig? Your security blanket – your most precious swimming wig – causing you big time embarrassment is just difficult to fathom.
But you can avoid such a traumatic scene by securing your wig very, very tightly. Your standard tape or glue might not stand up against underwater pressure and moisture.
Thus, the trial run in guideline #2 suggests testing your wig with different kinds of wig glue or tape. A water-resistant, high-quality hair adhesive can definitely solve the problem of seeing your wig slipping off your head and enjoying the pool or ocean on its own.
7. Use a swim cap for more adventurous water action
Sometimes the lure of adventure is difficult to resist, especially when you see your pals having the time of their lives cliff diving, kayaking or banana boat riding.
So you also want to channel your fearlessness and enjoy some action beyond floating and swimming.
After all, your swimming wig is glued securely with a waterproof adhesive.
But it pays to be much more certain that your wig will stay put on your head as you turn into a daredevil.
Wear a swim cap over your wig which will protect it against the pressures of more vigorous actions. It’s better to be safe than sorry, don’t you think so?
8. Wash your wig thoroughly afterward
Generally, wigs should undergo proper maintenance at least once a week, especially if you use them regularly.
This is more so in the case of your swimming wig which has been exposed to the heat, salt, sand, air and chlorine.
It is vital that you wash the wig properly and thoroughly RIGHT AFTER your water activity to avoid it being damaged sooner than you expect.
Using the right products for the type of wig (synthetic or human hair) can help a lot in getting rid of the harsh elements or chemicals from the hair.
Not only the hair, but the wig cap should be washed and rinsed meticulously, too.
Remember, any residue in the cap can cause scalp irritation.
Repeat the process if necessary to ensure that your wig remains in good condition after a rough day of fun.
9. Conditioning is equally important too
If our naturally-grown human hair dries up instantly after getting soaked in the swimming pool or sea water, then the drying up of synthetic and human hair wigs will be twice or three times faster.
Thus, washing a swimming wig with the right shampoo isn’t enough.
In order to restore the moisture and shine of the wig, use an appropriate hydrating conditioner after washing it.
It eases the tangles and makes the wig softer and manageable for brushing again. Your swimming wig will be grateful to you for the extra care you do to make it last longer.
Finally, hang your wig on a wig stand and let it dry thoroughly before storing it.
Conclusion
Having hair and scalp problems should not be a hindrance from giving life to the words “Live life to the fullest!” Thanks to wigs, people who need to hide their “hair or head secret” can do things that give them well-deserved enjoyment such as swimming.
As long as you keep in mind the guidelines mentioned above, you can explore more beautiful beaches, rivers, lakes, rivers and pools in the world.
