How to attach and maintain Hair Toppers for beginners?

Background Intro

Hair toppers have so many advantages. It is an accessory that can cover the top of your head. They are more breathable and lightweight due to their smaller portions. They can also be worn easily during hot and humid days.

How to attach Hair Toppers?

People wear hair toppers (half wig) in a variety of ways, but most people use them in pretty much the same way. Generally speaking, clips are the strongest way. Of course, there are many other methods as well.

#1 Clip

Clips come in different sizes and vary in weight and quality.

Smaller clips will be a good choice for people with severe hair loss. The hair toppers will be held perfectly thanks to their small volume.

Clips don't damage your natural hair. You don't need to worry about a receding hairline or hair breakage because the clips won't pull your own hair or cause a lot of friction on it.

Make sure to allow for an extra inch or two on the sides and back so you can attach the clips to your strong bio hair. Perhaps you have experienced slippage of your hair topper, and this is where hair spray can help.

#2 Non-slip band

For some people, using clips and tape is not an optimal option. Then you can consider a special kind of band that called non-slip band. It's amazing because of its incredible comfort and extremely awesome adhesion.

This type of band is perfect for people with fine hair or a sensitive scalp because it is barely presence felt and its material is so soft that it won't cause an itchy scalp. It will silently guard the bald spot on your head from others.

#3 Wire

Do you have fine hair in your forehead? In this case, your forehead will most likely not be able to use clips or tape, due to the thin hair.

Clear wire is something you need to know. You can place it in front of your topper so that your bio hair is firmly attached to the hair topper. Therefore, it will fit well on your head. It is the perfect choice for those who have partial hair loss in the forehead area. If your hairline is too thin, another option is to go with a lace front topper or a silk base.

#4 Mesh

If you struggle with thinning hair, mesh may be a great solution to your problem. Running your own hair through the mesh to secure the hair topper may sound time and energy consuming, but its benefits are unmatched.

For one, it will never damage your bio hair. For two, it's lightweight, easy to wear, and helps your scalp breathe freely. Three, the parting line is invisible, so no one knows you're wearing hair.

You may also need to go to a full wig if there isn't enough hair, because toppers cover only a portion of the hair loss area but wigs provide full coverage. In fact, there are many obvious differences between hair toppers and wigs, and you can click the link to see the detail.

These are some of the most popular ways to wear the hair toppers at present, and they each have their own characteristics and target different people. You just need to choose the one that suits you.

How to maintain Hair Toppers?

The hair topper needs as much care as your natural hair. What makes this statement? It starts with the materials used to make the hair topper: Human Hair or Synthetic Hair. It just like your own hair.

Since we are in oxygen all the time, our natural hair suffers from oxidation just like our skin, and so does the hair topper. In general, damages to hair toppers are divided into the following types:

As Time Goes By, Hair Toppers Will Gradually Fade Away From Its Original Full Color And Become Dull. This Can Be Remedied By Coloring.
Hair Toppers Will Become Dry And Frizzy Over Time, Even Splitting And Knotting. A Leave-In Conditioner Will Be Your Savior, Restoring Shine And Smoothness And Providing Long-Lasting Protection To Your Hair.
There Is Also A More Difficult Situation: The Hair Piece Is Worn Thin Or Has Dead Ends Due To The High Frequency Of Wear. If You Use Hair Toppers A Lot, This Is Normal And You Can't Stop It From Happening. However, This Is Not An Insurmountable Problem. You Can Fix The Hairpiece System Yourself, And It's Easier Than You Might Think. If You Really Can't Fix The Topper Yourself, Go To A Salon And Ask For Help From A Barber Who Can Repair Damaged Hair Systems With A More Professional Procedure And Make Them Brand New.

On average, hair toppers can last between six months to over a year. With good and proper care, your hair toppers can last longer than usual. You can expect 2-3 years from your silk top or 1 year from your lace top. Below, we'll explain in detail how to care for your topper, so read on!

The Most Comprehensive Guide For Hair Toppers 101

From Clip-Ins To Integration: A Comprehensive Guide To Different Types Of Hair Toppers

Human Hair Toppers & Synthetic Hair Toppers

We already know that hair toppers are made of both synthetic and human hair. These two materials require their own care, so let's talk about it in two categories.

How to wash human hair toppers?

Essentials you need:

Paddle Brush
Shampoo For Human Hair
Sink Or Basin
Conditioner
Towel
Wig Stand

Step #1 Detangle the hair

Use a paddle brush to carefully comb your human hair in order to untangle tangles. Make sure that the hair strands are in the same direction and be careful not to rub the hair as this may cause tangling (like your existing hair). This step is to prepare your hair for the washing that follows.

Step #2 Saturate the hair

Soak your topper in cool water (cool water is gentler) and let it move in the direction of the current. To protect your hair's cuticle, keep it in a flat state so you can't rinse in the opposite direction. Otherwise, the cuticle will become rough, which can lead to tangles or curls.

Wash your hair and make sure you leave some space between the water source and the pool/basin. Take care not to let your topper touch the bottom of the pool/basin. This will prevent your hair from becoming frizzy due to pressure or friction.

In addition, if there is any standing water at the bottom, you are going to be constantly soaking your hair in soapy water.

Step #3 Wash with human hair shampoo

First of all, be sure that you are using a gentle shampoo that is specifically for human hair. Second, you need to take an appropriate amount of shampoo in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together to create a large amount of foam, a step called " Emulsify ". This will moisten your hands and reduce friction on your hair. At the same time, the lather cleanses deep into the hair, leaving it cleaner.

This may not be important for a first-time beginner, but once worn, the base of the topper will absorb oils, makeup, styling products, etc. That's why foam is so necessary to get into the crevices of the hair and take away the dirt.

Step #4 Rinse the hair thoroughly

Use cool water to rinse out any cleansers in the direction of the hair shaft. Run your fingers through your hair to make sure the hair does not have any tangles or knots.

Lift your human hair toppers to shake off the water, gently squeeze out the excess water with your hands, and smooth the hair with your fingers again. Combing like this is important to help you clean up any areas you can't find.

If there are complicated tangles or damaged bases during the inspection process, do not try to fix them yourself. You should call the store immediately and send it back to the merchant for a solution after communicating with them. They will be able to handle it more properly.

Step #5 Condition the hair

Conditioner is an essential item to care for your hair piece. You also need to use conditioners regularly to ensure hair stays soft and long. Take an appropriate amount of conditioner and rub it in slowly with your hands. Next, apply it 1/2 way from the ends of your hair and smooth it down your hair evenly (like your real hair). Do not rub conditioner directly onto the scalp area or to any part of the cap as this may cause the knots to loosen over time.

Let the conditioner adhere to the ends and middle section of the hair, where it is most likely to dry out. After letting it sit on your hair for a few minutes, rinse your hair out again with cold water.

Step #6 Blow-drying the hair

Brush out your hair and gently pat the hair dry with a towel (several times to make it easier to blow dry). Block wig heads (mannequin head) are known to be great for styling, but you must not leave a wet topper on it. The weight of the water will drag the hair and make it longer and weaker, so please remember not to do this.

In place of that, you can choose the plastic wig stand. The hollowed-out stand is relatively balanced in terms of pressure and will not deform the hair topper. A more significant advantage is that hair toppers have a larger area in contact with air and dry faster. After the topper is completely dry, you can place it on the block wig head for the next step.

How to style human hair toppers?

Essentials you need:

Smooth Treatment Mist
Round Bristle Brush
Flat Iron
Weightless Volumizing Foam
Curling Iron

Tip #1 To be sleek

If you're looking for softness, you can add a little smoothing agent and mix it into your human hair topper. Using a round bristle brush, start at the back of the head and comb through in layers, working from top to bottom.

If you want to straighten your hair, you can opt for a flat iron to help you achieve this. Start ironing about 1cm from the roots of your hair, keeping your hair flat. Remember that the top is the most important part, as they frame your face, but control the time that the heating tool stays on your hair. Finally, you can apply some hairspray to make the hairstyle last.

Tip #2 To be voluminous

A hair topper is also used to add more volume to the top of your head. Take an ample amount of weightless volumizing foam and apply it evenly throughout the top of the hair, using a natural bristle brush, starting at the nape of the neck and working through a 2-inch vertical section. When reaching the crown area, over guide the hair for optimal volume.

If you wish to have curly hair, you can use a curling iron. First, part your hair into sections. Next, wrap each section around the curling iron and wait about ten seconds. Don't wrap it for too long, as it will damage your hair. Finally, turn the curling iron to loosen the hair and let it cool.

How to wash synthetic hair toppers?

Essentials you need:

Wide Tooth Comb
Sink Or Basin
Shampoo For Synthetic Hair
Conditioner
Towel
Wig Stand

Step #1 Remove the tangles

Before cleaning, you first need to take a closer look at it and run your fingers through it to check for any tangles. Find the tangled area, gently skim the surrounding hair and use a wide tooth comb to slowly comb through it in order to untangle the knot. Remember not to pull and tug, as this can cause hair breakage. Comb your hair in sections from top to bottom so that you can remove the tangles more quickly. You can also use a brush to solve this problem.

Step #2 Immerse in the water

Prepare a basin (or a sink) and fill it with cold water. Note: It's cold water! You may be surprised, why cold water? As with human hair toppers, synthetic fibers can suffer damage when exposed to heat. For the sake of the quality of your tops, do not add any hot water.

Step #3 Put some shampoo

Put some shampoo in the water. Sulphate-free shampoos can help your synthetic topper stay moisturized and do not strip oils. After that, mix the shampoo with the water by stirring with your hands until a lot of lather is created. You can use your palms to make circles in the water to blend them more evenly.

Completely immerse the wig in the water for 4-5 minutes. Do not scrub the topper during this time to avoid damage. You can carefully run your hands through it to prevent tangling of the hair.

Step #4 Soak in the water

Let the topper soak in the water for about five minutes, then take it out. To clean your hair on all sides, you can float the topper up and down in the water so that every corner of it is fully exposed to water.

Stains on the edges of the topper are often hard to detect, so look closely at the areas close to the edges, such as the bangs, roots and ends. These areas can sometimes be stained with dirt, sweat or makeup. If you can't see it with your naked eye, use your fingers to feel it. Gently run your hands through the topper edge of your hair to feel if it is smooth. Be sure to move gently, otherwise the braids woven in the hair may come loose.

Step #5 Rinse the topper

Rinse your topper with cold water until all the shampoo has been washed out. It is not necessary to squeeze out the rest of the water in this step.

Step #6 Apply the conditioner

With the assurance that the topper has been washed clean, you can begin to condition your hair and bring it back to its original look. Conditioner can make the hair fiber soft and shiny. A conditioning mask is also great.

Take an appropriate amount of conditioner and rub it into your hands, then gently apply it to your hair (all hair). Do not touch the base. You can also mix the conditioner with cold water and then apply. Place the mixture in a spray bottle and shake well. Then spray the solution evenly on the hair. After completing the above, rinse your hair thoroughly with cold water again until it is completely clean.

Step #7 Dry the topper thoroughly

To remove excess moisture, you can use a towel to pat the hair instead of wringing it out. Try to avoid the act of squeezing, which can cause the synthetic fibers to be stretched, thus ruining its original look. When your topper is wet, make sure you don't comb it, otherwise the fibers will be pulled out.

When there is not much moisture left, you can hang it loosely on a stand and let it dry at room temperature. Synthetic hair, like human hair, is not suitable for drying on blocks for similar reasons.

Moreover, using a hair dryer to dry synthetic hair toppers is not a good habit. Fibers are very susceptible to deformation from heat. In order to maintain the quality of fibers, leave the piece to air dry.

How to style synthetic hair toppers?

Essentials you need:

Wide Tooth Comb
Wig Head
Heat Protectant
Straightener
Foam Roller
Hairspray
Styling Spray

Tip #1 To be straight

First, you'll want to check the hair topper to make sure it doesn't have any tangles. Place the topper on a flat surface and comb through your hair with a wide tooth comb. Start combing from the bottom to the top. Next, place the topper on a wig head and spray heat protectant into the hair. Third, take out the straightener and turn it up to about 250 degrees and wait a few minutes. Now start straightening your hair, you can divide it into parts beforehand and straighten it from root to tip and let it cool for a few minutes. Finally, once cooled, comb your hair again. This is good for the topper to keep a good look.

Tip #2 To be curly

Curls are perfect for those who wish to change their usual style. But here's bad news: Synthetic fiber is easily ruined by heated tools (e.g., curling irons). Fortunately, there are other ways to help you get more hair and fulfill your curly hair dreams. Perhaps you can try a foam roller, and remember to spray your hair evenly with cold water before using it. Then comb through your hair to make sure there are no tangles. Layer your hair and apply hair spray, then wrap your hair strands around the roller in a circle (starting from the ends). Once your hair is completely dry, untwist the rollers and spray with styling spray, and your desired curls are born.

How to store hair toppers？

Although there are many differences between synthetic and human hair, they make no difference in terms of store.

Do not allow direct sunlight when storing hair toppers. Sunlight and heat can dull color of toppers and break down hair fibers. If you store your topper in direct sunlight, it will not only fade the appearance of your topper, but it will make it weaker.

Store your hair topper in a dry, cool place.

Method #1 Box

This way, your hair topper will not collect dust or debris that can cause damage in the long run. Put a scented dryer sheet in each box to help keep the topper fresh.

Method #2 Wig Head

Wig heads are a great storage option, and they can help keep the shape and style of your topper (or wig) between wears. There are portable ones, cork and canvas heads, and the classic styrofoam mannequins. If you decide to store with a canvas head, make sure this matches your head size and shape!

Method #3 Satin Bag

Another suggestion is to place the topper in a satin bag, which helps keep the hair topper (or wig) soft and hydrated. In the long run, it will also prevent static electricity and tangles. Many toppers are sold with satin bags. If you plan to travel with your topper, a satin bag can also be convenient for you; it takes up little space.

Method #4 Hair net

If you want your topper to retain its original look during storage, you can purchase some hair nets of good quality. When you're not wearing the hair topper, gently place an appropriately sized hairnet over the topper.

Final Thoughts

By this point, you have learned a complete hair care routine. So, start your hair care journey and get your hair topper with a new look!

If you are interested in today's topic, you can enter our blog to learn more practical knowledge. Please feel free to contact us if you have any confusions about hair toppers, and we would love to talk everything about hair with you!

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