How to prevent your hair system from fading

You’ve been wearing your new hair system for a few weeks now and are totally loving your beautiful and natural-looking hair. But as you look in the mirror one day, you start to notice something — the hair color in one particular area is slightly different from the rest of your hairpiece!

This is a sign of your hair system fading and it’s something that is extremely common for many hair replacement wearers. So don’t worry — we will look at what causes this as well as things you can do to fix and prevent it in the first place.

If you prefer a quick visual answer, you can watch one of our Expert Talks episodes below:

What causes a hair system to fade?

There are many reasons a hair replacement system such as a toupee or wig can fade. However, the main reason a hairpiece will usually begin to fade — or lose its tone and color — is because of overexposure to the sun. This process is called oxidation and affects the outer layer of the hair shaft, otherwise known as the cuticle. Because the cuticles of hair used in hairpieces are opened up during the hair processing stage, they are more vulnerable to oxidation. This can expose the cortical fiber in the cuticle which is where the color pigment is deposited. The end result is accelerated color fading.

READ: Hairpiece and wig production: Everything you need to know

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are the main culprit in discoloring your hair as they can cause red, yellow or orange undertones. So yes, if you’re one of those people who like to bathe in the sun or just prefer the outdoors in general, this can come at the cost of your hairpiece. But again, don’t worry. This is a problem that can be fixed and even prevented which we will look into next.

How to fix hairpiece fading

The best way to fix any hair fading on your hairpiece is to use a color correcting shampoo or conditioner. These products are ideal for those who have already seen their hairpieces lose their tone or color by restoring the hair to its original color and quality. Any unwanted red, yellow or orange tones are also corrected and reversed in the process.

At Superhairpieces, we offer a number of products that are ideal for getting rid of hair fading. However, your best bet is to use Back2Natural color conditioners. These conditioners are designed to get your original hair color back and Back2Natural offers them in a wide range of colors. Dark ash brown? Light ash brown? Medium ash blonde? There is a conditioner out there for you. An added bonus of these conditioners are that you can use it on your natural hair as well and help get rid of any unwanted grey hair!

How to prevent hairpiece from fading

You now know what hair fading is and how to fix it if it’s already happened with your hairpiece. But as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and there are many ways you can prevent your hair from discoloring. Remember when we mentioned that overexposure to the sun was a prime reason for fading? That is true, but there are other reasons your hair could be fading which will all be addressed in the following ways to prevent it.

• Avoid hot settings when using heat-styling tools: We get it. For many, heat-styling tools are a necessity to achieve that perfect hairstyle. Not to mention the fact that they simply feel good when used on your hair! However, whether it’s a curler, straightener or blow dryer, the heat from these tools can cause fading. In the same way as the sun, they can dry and fracture the cuticle and result in your hair changing color or tone. Instead, use a cold setting or at the very least, try to switch to a low-heat setting and minimize your use of these tools during the week. Use it everyday? Try and transition to three times a week for a start.
• Don’t use hot water when washing your hair: If you’re noticing a recurring theme, it’s heat. It’s always suggested to regularly maintain your hairpiece by removing it and washing it. But whenever you are washing it, avoid using scorching hot water. Using very hot water can wash the color off your hair and cause your cuticles to open further which results in discoloration. Look to use lukewarm or cool water which is a practice that everyone should follow even if they have all their natural hair.
• Use hair products designed for chemically-treated hair and offer UV protection: Whether you’re using a shampoo, conditioner, spray or any styling product on your hair, you should always look to use products that are designed for chemically-treated or color-treated hair. It’s also worth using hair products that offer UV protection to further protect yourself from the rays of the sun. Some products you can use are the Keuene Color Care Shampoo and the PPI Color Guard Conditioner, both of which you can purchase online at Superhairpieces! Using these products will not only preserve your hair’s color, but keep it healthy and lasting longer as a whole.

You can also look towards other shampoos that have these color-preserving ingredients:

• Hydrolyzed quinoa
• Mirabelle plum seed oil
• Vitamin B5
• Organic olive oil
• Wheat protein
• Sunflower seed extract

• Don’t overshampoo: While you should maintain and shampoo your hair, it’s imperative that you don’t overdo it. This is especially the case during the summer where your hair will be stickier and oiler than usual giving you a greater urge to shampoo it. This is because using too much shampoo can strip away the oils and sebum on your hair and make it dry, damaged and eventually discolored. Remember, hairpieces don’t have natural oils secreted from the scalp to keep the hair hydrated. So with that said, limit the use of your shampoo and whenever you do plan to shampoo, also look to avoid these ingredients in your shampoo.

• Wear a hat outdoors: Going back to our original cause of fading being the sun, we understand that not everyone can avoid going out in the sun for one reason or the other. So whenever you are out and about, look to wear a cap or a wide-brimmed hat to protect your hair from those dangerous UV rays. If this is not possible, make sure not to continually expose your hair to the sun for multiple hours. It’s better for your hair to be exposed to the sun for just an hour compared to three to four hours.
• Wear a swimming cap when swimming: One final cause of hair fading can be the chlorine in swimming pools. Of course, chlorine helps kill germs and bacteria in swimming pools. However, chlorine is a bleach and can potentially cause hair pigments to lighten and get damaged when absorbed into the hair. The same can occur from the salt water if you’re taking a dive at the beach. To prevent this, look to wear a swim cap to prevent as much damage as possible.

It’s the summer and now is the best time to frolic, enjoy the sun and swim. But precautions need to be taken, especially if you want to prevent your hairpiece from fading.

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