Wearing wigs with a shaved head is not something everyone is familiar with, so in this article, we’re going to find out what it’s really like!
Thoughts on Shaving My Head and Wearing Wigs
Back in 2018, I did the big chop and shaved my head. I did it just because I wanted to get rid of
damaged ends and regrow my hair in its natural state. I really liked wearing my hair short but after a while, I wanted to switch it up and try new styles.
I couldn’t do much with my own hair, so I started wearing wigs. Immediately after wearing wigs, I noticed a big difference between wearing them with a shaved head and wearing them with long hair. Some of these differences were really great and some were not as great. Ultimately, I think that shaving your head is very beneficial for wearing wigs and I will explain the reason why below.
Pros and Cons of Shaving your Head and Wearing Wigs
Pros
Less preparation – One of the best things about a shaved head is that it requires way less preparation time (if any) to wear a wig. Having your head shaved is much less work than braiding your hair down or relaxing it to fit into a wig.
Due to the hair being very short, the most you would have to do is lay it flat with some gel or styling foam. I personally use gel because my hair is very thick. After brushing it down and applying the gel, I will usually leave a scarf or durag over my hair for a little while and remove it to keep the hair laid flat.
Wig lays flatter – Another great thing about a shaved head is that the wig lays flatter on your head, which makes it look even more natural. When I had long hair, I had a hard time flattening it to prevent my wig from looking bulky underneath. With a shaved head, there is no problem with bulkiness, and it is easy to make a wig look natural.
I have 4B type hair, and I personally relax my hair to make it lay flat on my head as my short hairstyle. When I wear wigs, I don’t even need a wig cap to flatten my hair, because of how short it is. I really like how easy it is to throw a wig on in no time!
The wig fits better- When I had long hair it was sometimes a struggle to find a wig that fit me. The great thing about a shaved head is that most wigs fit just because your hair isn’t taking up space!
When I shave my head, I could fit any wig I bought even without choosing a certain size. I never had a problem with a wig being too tight. If it is a bit loose, then I just wear a wig cap underneath and that makes it fit more snugly.
Cons
Can’t wear a U-Part wig – U-part wigs are wigs that are open in the crown area so that you can leave out your natural hair to blend with the wig hair. U-part wigs are nice because they look very natural in the front. With a shaved head, your hair is not long enough to leave out.
In order to make a wig look natural, you would have to customize the lace. This isn’t just limited to wearing U-Part wigs, any wig where you leave hair out can be an issue.
Wig may be too big – It’s not often that a wig will be too small for you, but it is more often that a wig can be a little roomy. Wigs that are too big for you can cause several problems. One of these problems is that they can rub against your hairline and potentially damage it over time.
Another problem is that it is easier for the wig to slip backward or all the way off if it is not secured. Another problem with large wigs is that it is harder to conceal the lace on a lace front wig.
Read more: What Is 4b Hair?
How Does a Wig Stay on a Bald Head?
There are several ways to keep a wig on a bald head. One way to secure a wig is by using a wig grip. A wig grip simply needs to be placed on the head. It will not slip off and the wig is placed over it so that the grip holds it in place. Since a bald head does not fill a wig with hair, a wig grip is good for taking up more space. Another way to secure a wig is to use wig glue. When wig glue is applied around the perimeters of a bald head, then it holds the wig in place.
Watch how Oré Otun installed her wig on her bald head:
Does Shaved Hair Grow Back Thicker?
Shaved hair does not grow back thicker, however, there are some ways that it can seem like it does. If you shave damaged hair off of your head, the hair will grow out fully healthy-looking and in its original texture. Damaged hair is weaker, thinner, and has less definition, so when it is cut off, your hair will look different overall.
The Final Word
A shaved head isn’t for everyone, but there are definitely benefits to it – especially for wearing wigs. Generally speaking, a wig looks better when your hair is either very short or flat because it fits better.
Regardless of your preferred hairstyle, it is definitely important to consider the pros and cons of shaving your hair before making the final cut.
