The hair regimen I created and followed for the first three years of my hair journey was my wig regimen. My wig hair regimen played an instrumental part in helping me grow from shoulder length to waist length.
WHY I STARTED WEARING WIGS & HOW I USED IT TO GROW MY HAIR
At the beginning of my hair journey, my hair was severely damaged. My hairline was thinning out and there were some patches at the back of my head where all the hair had broken off. I was so concerned I visited one of the top trichology clinics in London for help.
The trichologist I saw noted that installing weaves back to back, braids and relaxing were taking its toll on my hair and that this was the reason my hair was breaking. She advised that I should give my hair and scalp a break from weaves and braids. She further advised that I should not relax my hair until my breakage issues were resolved.
I could not carry my hair in the dire state it was in and it broke even when I was being very gentle with it. I did not want to risk further hair loss from braids, weaves or relaxing. I wanted to protect my hair but still have complete access to it so that I could resolve my breakage problems. I realised that the only way I could achieve all these goals was through wearing wigs.
I went out and bought my first wig and it was one of the best things I ever did for my hair.
I fell in love with wigs for the following reasons:
1) I had complete access to my hair so I could take care of it. I would clean and condition my hair on the weekends, experiment with different hair products and simply throw on my wig during the weekdays.
2) All the benefits of wigs came without the risk of damage to my hair and scalp from combing and pulling which are necessary to create braids and weaves.
3) I could change my styles as often as I wanted.
4) They were a great protective style. Wigs allowed me to protect my hair with extensions rather than cause further destruction. I could incorporate wigs into my hair journey.
Armed with the above information I created a hair regimen in which I wore wigs majority of the time. I was so pleased with the progress I was seeing with my hair that I haven’t worn a sew-in weave or braids ever since.
WHY I ONLY WEAR U-Part Wigs & STARTED A WIG COMPANY
My sister and I wearing Hair by Type 4 Wigs ( with mum)
I have worn many wig styles: full wigs, half wigs, lace front wigs and u-part wigs.
I felt the most comfortable in u-part wigs because they looked like weavons and didn’t give me an obvious “wiggy” look. For this reason, U-part wigs are the only type of wigs I wear . I get many compliments when I wear extensions and most people are shocked when I tell them I am actually wearing a wig and not a weave.
I was never truly satisfied with the look, hair texture or fullness of the wigs I bought. I would go the hair shop and look at all the various hair wefts and wish I could turn them into a wig. So my sister and I took the plunge.
It was out of passion for healthy hair care and the desire to create styles that were believable and versatile that my sister and I set up Hair by Type4, a wig production company. We create u-part wigs which have the visual appearance of sew-in weaves but with all the benefits and advantages of a weave.
Hair by Type4 carry a range of ready for purchase human hair wigs and offer custom wig creation service.
For further information and to purchase a u-part wig please visit the Hair by Type4 page.
WHY I STILL WEAR WIGS
1) Wigs give my hair and I a break from each other
Taking care of my hair can be time consuming. Sometimes I ‘am really not in the mood or I may be going through a really busy period and not have the time to follow my hair regimen properly.
On such occasions I wear one of my Hair by Type4 wigs. It gives me a break from my full hair regimen and protects my hair. So rather than neglect my hair, a wig allows me to follow a less intense regimen.
2) Wigs are versatile and fun
Short, long, wavy, curly, straight, wigs allow me to have fun with my hair styles without damaging or cutting my own hair. Some styles require heat or a lot of combing to achieve and I just don’t want to put my own hair through that. Also a style that may be appropriate for a party may be inappropriate for work, or I may get bored of a hair style or simply decide it doesn’t go with my outfit. Wigs allow me to change my hair as often as I feel. And because Hair by Type4 wigs look like weaves I can achieve a realistic look in under 5 minutes. What’s not to love!
3) Wigs help me stretch my relaxers
I prolong the periods between my relaxers. Instead of relaxing every 6 to 8 weeks, I relax my hair every 20 weeks. However 8 weeks after relaxing, my hair becomes a little bit difficult to manage because taking care of natural new growth and relaxed hair on the same head can be challenging.
Also hair that is due for a relaxer is at risk of breaking because the line of demarcation (where the new growth meets previously relaxed hair) is usually very weak.
So to reduce the risk of breakage when I am stretching my relaxers, I wear wigs from week 9 to week 20 of my relaxer stretches.
I hope you have found the information above helpful.
Please see My Hair Regimens page to see the wig based regimen I used to grow my hair from shoulder length to waist length.
Learn | Change | Grow
Hi There
Great blog!
In your opinion is it possible to promote healthy hair with braid extensions? Are there any best practices?
Author
Hello Thabi, thank you!!!!! 😉
There’s a three part blog post on the Blog Home Page that deals with hair care in extensions.
x
Lade
Hi,
please, how do you care for hair left out to cover the wig and how do you protect your edges? Those are my greatest concerns with wigs and weaves.
Thanks!!
Comfort
Author
Hello comfort
What I do is wash and condition( without heat) the leave out hair once a week. I also moisturise and seal regularly.
Also I am very gentle with the leave out hair.
Hope that helps.
X
Lade
What products do you use on your hair?
I recently damaged my hair from keeping a weave too long so now I’m on a journey to repair and I was considering a wig. My major concern is that it will look fake 🙁
Wow!! Your hair looks great, you definitely have me considering stretching my hair with wigs also. I have a few questions about installing your u part wigs 1) Do you leave your edges out in the front at all to help blend your hair? 2) Do you put on a wig cap? 3) Do your u parts tend to wide or narrow? Your hair looks great in that picture above so I would imagine that the smaller the upart is the easier it would be to blend your leave out right (especially when wearing straight wigs without flatironing your u part)? 4) You mentioned that you use calabar braids under your wigs. Are you putting some cornrows or anything at the top to help secure your wig with the wig clips? 5) How do you take care of your leave out at night?
Your hair texture is very similar to mine so I look forward to your tips on how to blend the u part hair in to make it look more natural. Your blog is very nice and your regimen is so simple, thanks for sharing.
Author
Thanks Tia for the compliment.
Yes I leave out the edges to blend with my wigs. Hair by type 4 wigs require very little hair to be left out.
I take care of my hair I leave out by washing, conditioning and moisturising and sealing it regularly. I always sleep with my hair covered with a satin scarf.
hope that helps and good luck stretching your relaxer.
Lade
Hey Lade!
I love your hairrrr 🙂
Weaves are my worst hair thing to do, so wigs are really the way to go!
Great job with the blog- I will be visiting!
x
Author
hello miss butterfly
I love your hair too. it looks really good in your picture.
Yes some ladies can get away with wearing weaves however for me and in my opinion for majority of women, wigs are a better and less invasive option.
Hope you keep visiting and happy hair journey.
x
Lade
Author
Hello miss butterfly
I love your hair too. It looks sooooo good in your picture.
Yes some ladies can get away with weaves however in my opinion wigs are a better and less invasive option for most women.
Thanks for the compliment about the blog and I hope you visit again soon.
X
Lade
Do u use box perms or go to the salon? And if u use box perms what kind do u use
Author
Hello Alisha
I don’t use box perms. for products I use please see my hair regimen ( found under How to care for black hair.
Some ladies use box perms with success. What ever perm you use make sure it is applied correctly and not used too frequently to avoid over processing.
x
Lade
Sent u a msg n vnt gtten a reply. I nid d wig, pls.
pls I would like to buy a full. wig how do. I get one
Author
Hello Ireti
We only create u-part wigs I am afraid.
If you would like further information about u-part wigs please send an email to hairbytype4@gmail.com
Lade
I made a wig my senior year of high school and wore it for the second half and it was great! It looked like a really great weave and everyone was impressed. The best part was just being able to take it off when I got home and having access to my real hair. I’m at the end of my first year in college and I wore my hair naturally the entire year (I had already been natural for a year but wore wigs or weaves sometimes) no weaves or wigs. While it’s been fun trying out different styles and seeing my hair grow it has been a little tedious to keep up with. College and work are really demanding and sometimes I just don’t feel like doing it. It is summer now and i’m thinking of going back to wearing wigs for the winter so I can grow my hair out and protect it from winter elements. But a part of me wants to start wearing them now or as soon as school starts in the fall. I just love how much fun it can be to instantly change your hairstyles.
Do you have to wash your hair every week?
Author
Hello Ella
Its difficult to give one answer for that question. Sometimes I wash my hair every week, other times I don’t depending on which stage of my regimen I am in. Some ladies wash their hair just once a month but ensure they keep their scalp clean and their hair hydrated. some other ladies find that there their hair thrives when cleansed/co-wash or wetted twice or more a week. Everyone’s hair and lifestyle is different and the key is to find out what works best for your hair.
X
Lade
Your posts are really informative….they’ve cleared up my thoughts about incorporating a wig in my regimen. My hair is somewhere between shoulder and collar bone length but its scanty and my ends are thin.
I’m about to start my hair journey(my “first official wash day” is going to be on saturday…super pscyhed.lol) but i’m certainly going to be rocking wigs!
I sent a mail asking about the wigs but i haven’t gotten a reply yet. Really hope to hear from you soon.
Please don’t stop blogging 😉
Hi Lade, I looove ua hair and ya posts, they are very informative. I didnt know how I was damaging my hair,its a miracle I have hair at all!!! I’ve decided to officially start my hair journey. I’m from kenya and my hair is natural, the kinkiest of them all and super har.d to detangle 🙁 . Its almost shoulder length but I want it to grow to waistlength :-). I love how u grew ua hair using wigs and I want to follow ua footsteps. I don’t think I can get a u part wig here and I’m worried wether using a full wig daily during the day will thin my already weak and damaged hairline?
PS : this site is heaven sent !!!
Wow! I’m so thrilled,thank U so Much,a lot of questions I didn’t know how or who to ask has jst been answered by u,thank u so much.
I like it when people get together and share views.
Great site, continue the good work!
Also visit my weblog キャタライザー hpi
Hello,
I would like to know if you put anything like a silk bonnet under your wig . I am getting a wig and I was wondering if it was going to rub on my edges if I dont were something under …. please let me know.
P.S your blog is simply amazing
Sorhaya Bolivard
Since the braiding was causing breakage, how do you now style your hair underneath your wig? Also, is your natural hair protected by a satin wig cap?
Why relax your hair if you’re wearing wigs? I wears wigs during the weekdays. I enjoy my natural hair on weekends. Wigs keep me from putting chemicals in my hair.
My detangling method is braids. I found out this wonderful regiment from LADE HER WEBSITE IS hairducation this woman is wonderful. I studied her methods she gives you details and products on how she takes care of her hair ladies check her out. She is amazing I have tried so many things until this. Ok it’s braiding your own natural hair in 12 to 16 box braids and washing your hair with the braids in do not take them out until your regiment is done do your pre-poo, wash, conditioning etc. you have to get all the details by going on her website .
If you have long hair, and you have problems detangling, heavy breakage, shedding this method is for you. Also she tells you good products to use. This lady is heaven sent let me tell you. I have been using her regiment and it works. I went from having heavy breakage, shedding to almost none. I wash my hair weekly. I went from a hand full of hair in my hand to a dime size. I cannot believe the difference its amazing wow. I have hardly any breakage or shedding at all. I have done this method twice now I can’t wait to see it after months I have 3c hair and it’s MBL. I highly recommend her methods.
i am a wig wearer i use wigs to grow my hair also.
Author
🙂
Wig wearer united
you are a good person lade not many people help each other when it comes to growing the hair most times you get wrong or non useful information. i can say you are truly the best. i tell everyone about you. i am soooooooo excited finally having my hair not break anymore. i have long hair but my breaking it gets thin. you are truly heaven sent.
Author
sorry for the late reply
thank you so so so so much
I do appreciate your kind words……I truly hope that you are going to make great improvements with your hair and not experience breakage anymore.
all the best and keep me posted
xx
Lade
question: i notice you said you don’t wear your hair in braids does that mean no extension braids? how do you put your hair up when you wear a wig?
Author
Yes I mean extension braids.
I wear my own hair in small box braids under my wigs….no extension hair is added.
x
lade
Hi,I was wondering in your opinion do you think full wig sew ins would help hair grow,I am on my journey to waist length and I usually alternate between weaves,my natural hair and braids.I love the versatility of wigs but I don’t want any leave out (just to be safe)Also your blog is life!!
Author
hello symphony
Thank you…I am glad you like hairducation…;)
Full sew in wigs can be protective style if
1) your edges are strong enough to be sewn on without being pulled out from the roots> some ladies hairline just cant handle the stress even if their hair is healthy.
2) you do not keep the wig sewn on for too long and you have a plan for keeping your hair moisturised(not damp) under the wig
hope that helps
x
Lade
I am also trying to grow my hair by wearing wigs, but it appears its affecting my hairline..pls advice
Author
Hello Uzo
I recently wrote a post on how I care for my leave out hair to avoid breakage. please read it and I am sure it will help with your hair line.
x
lade
I am 14 weeks post relaxer. Suffered a lot of breakage and thinning. Found out low ferretin levels were a huge player. I also allowed my stylist to touch up my edges with relaxer. Don’t know if she nuturuzed are not but breakage really started at that point. Decided not use use anymore relaxers until my iron levels are up. I appreciate your blog. I purchased a U-part Wig and my hair is currently braided. I am oiling my scalp and moisturing with S Curl. I don’t desire to be natural, just wanted to stretch my relaxers to create healthier hair. Not sure what to do next. I am concerned about more breakage due to overdue relaxing. Any tips?
Author
Hello Jenn
Sorry about the hair breakage at your edges. You should talk to your stylist about it to be sure she followed correct procedures. I hope you are able to get your iron levels up soon.
I have written blog posts about stretching your relaxer which you can find by clicking on the link below.
http://www.rehairducation.com/?s=stretching
please read the posts about stretching and I am sure you will find loads of tips that will be of use to you.
x
Lade
How long did it take for your hair to grow?
Author
Hey Nicole
It took me 3.5 to 4 years to grow from a damaged shoulder length to mid back/waist length.
Thanks
Lade
Hi Lade,
Thank you so much for sharing all the useful tips. i really want to know how you dry your hair every time you wash and Is it
advisable to blow dry with a hand drier?
Thanks
Hie, l liked ur site, so do l need to plait it first before l put a full WIG????
I mean doing free hand
My hair is at your “from this” picture as we speak. And why? Because I left weaves alone for like six to maybe eight months. I slapped on wigs whenever I went somewhere (so easy to do), and I wore a bonnet every night. I also didn’t perm or relax my hair in like five months. It got sooooo napped up, but it was worth it. I thought my hair was going to be thinner since so much dead hair came out of my nappy, unrelaxed hair. It was so matted. But after I permed it, it grew! I was so excited, and I’m thinking about doing something similar again, but I don’t know if I could go too long without washing my hair like that. That was matted together like dreads almost. And also, I just had a weave installed yesterday, but the tightness,soreness, and uncomfortableness were a reiminder that I despise weaves simply because of the1-5 days discomfort in the hair. I figured, “why put my hair in that position?” If my hair is uncomfortable, I’m uncomfortable, so I had to take the weave out the next morning. Waste of money and hair,but when I took the weave out, it was like my natural hair breathed a “thank you”. Glad I stumbled upon this post! Now, my mother won’t look at me crazy when I tell her I’m giving up weaves for a very long time, if not forever.
Wow it looks great!! Did you use wig combs or wig clips to secure your wigs?
Hey
Great tips. I would like to know what you daily routine is for your natural hair underneath the wig
Many Thanks
Do u plait ur hair under d wig?
Thanks lade!!
Am a little bit confused…… Will I plait my hair before wearing the wig?