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The most comprehensive guide for hair toppers 101

by WIGSHE

Background Intro

The first step into the world of wigs is the hardest one. Toppers are a great transition piece to get you started. For fine thin hair, a hair topper is a superior choice to a full wig. Toppers do not provide total head coverage. Instead,  they sit on areas of noticeable hair loss, and blends in with its wearers existing hair. It can add length to short hair, too.

Today, we share some practical tips about hair toppers. Here are some frequently asked questions from toppers 101, let's solve the mystery!

How to avoid bio hair damage with a topper?

Newbies to hair toppers may be suspicious of the damage it can cause to their hair. However, the hair topper itself is not offensive. Only if you use it incorrectly can it harm your bio hair. Maybe that's the reason for your hair loss. Keeping the following tips in mind will allow you to avoid hair damage.

Related: Hair Damage: What Causes It And How To Deal With It

#1 Pick a larger base size

For people who have partial hair loss or just thin hair, it seems to be the consensus that choosing the smallest base for toppers is best.

We can guess what these people are thinking: there is no need to cover such a small area of hair loss with a large base, or simply want to make the hair look voluminous and full of volume. Seems logical? But it's not conducive to protecting your bio hair. In fact, the larger the base, the less damage it will do to your bio hair.

The reason is simple. With a larger base area, the weight of the topper is more evenly distributed. A small base can easily pull on parts of your hair that a large base will not. This feeling is more pronounced when you use clips to hold the topper in place.

Furthermore, choosing a larger base will make it more comfortable for you to wear. What it usually does is lay flatter than the smaller ones.

Related: What Makes Hair Toppers The Wonderful Choice For Thinning Hair?

#2 Put hair toppers on plastic heads or wig stands for styling

If you like to style the topper on your head, we want you to stop this behavior immediately. The topper is already secured, and it's a time when your real hair will be tightened whether you tie it, braid it, or straighten or curl it.

Therefore, you need a plastic head (or a foam head). Before styling, place the topper smoothly on the plastic head. A wig stand is also a good idea. You can use clips, pins or a tripod to hold it in place. Then you can style your hair as you wish. Note that you should make sure the clips hold most of the hair, not just a few, and place the clips or combs on top of the plastic head. This will reduce the amount of pressure the clips put on the hair strands.

Related: How to style human hair toppers?

                   How to style synthetic hair toppers?

#3 Invest in lace front hair toppers

In addition to the two tips above, we also found a very useful item: lace front hair toppers. It minimizes the stress of pulling on your hair and thus can significantly reduce the damage to your natural hair.

What makes it so amazing? Its secret is that the lace front can be glued to your hairline. All you need to do is prepare a pair of scissors, place the lace edge close to your hairline, subtract the excess hair length and glue it on. Use some finishing agent to hide the lace edge and create a natural look. It doesn't have any clips, so it won't pull on your hair. Plus, it's very comfortable to wear.

How to make a hair topper look natural?

Whether it's a hair topper or a full wig, having a real look is of utmost importance. Both human hair and synthetic hair have their pros and cons. In terms of appearance, synthetic hair wigs and toppers are indeed not as realistic looking as human hair wigs and toppers. Of course, it is also impossible for human hair to have the exact same texture as biological hair.

To achieve a look that extremly matches your hair, we've rounded up eight pretty helpful tips, so bookmark them!

#1 Be certain your hair toppers fits properly

A proper hair topper is the key to making it look natural on your head. The topper should be attached to the strong, healthy hair.

Firstly, you need to make sure that the size of the base matches the area where you are losing your hair. If you buy a hair topper that is not big enough to cover the area of your hair loss, it will be discarded and become a waste product. Conversely, if it covers too much area, it will make your hair look thick, dull, and lacking in vitality.

Secondly, the material should match the characteristics of your hair. You should choose a material that has a similar texture to your original hair.

And the last, hair length and density are also two factors that need to be considered carefully. Too long or too short toppers can make your hair look uneven and messy. Too much density can make your hair look exaggerated, and too little density can diminish the effect of rich volume.

You must ensure that your toppers meet these conditions for your hair to have a natural and perfect look.

#2 Build multiple layers of shades

We all have more than one color of hair. Unbelievable? But that's the truth, it's just hard to see with the naked eye. It is common for a person to have at least three shades of hair. As an analogy, you'll notice that your blonde hair occasionally display a lighter blonde hue and a darker blonde shade.

Your biological hair color will always fall within the same color range. However, UV rays may weaken the original color of your hair and cause it to fade. To ensure that the topper is invisible, you should look to see that the roots of your topper have the same color as the roots of your hair, which helps to make the topper and the hair topper seamless. 

The color of your hair toppers should match your biological hair color, but it is practically impossible to achieve. Thus, you need a richly toned hair toppers to match your own hair and color as closely as possible. You can have a professional colorist to help you blend your toppers with two close shades or adjust the color of your existing hair to achieve a high color fit. This way, the topper will be able to blend perfectly with your existing hair already. Of course, you can add some highlights or lowlights to give your hair more layers.

#3 Regulate the shine on your hair toppers

Shine is known to be an important factor in measuring the quality of hair, and this applies in hair toppers. In the case of wigs and toppers, the main concern must be whether the appearance is realistic or not.

A realistic looking topper does not have much shine. Just look at your natural hair and you will see. However, some manufacturers go too far for the shiny effect resulting in a distorted look. They add a lot of shine by removing the hair cuticle and then applying a silicone soak to the strands, but at the same time, it detracts from the realism.

If you think your topper is too dazzling, we suggest you increase the frequency of washing to reduce the shine. Baby powder will also work. Another option is to use a dry shampoo. If you have neither, go to the grocery store and buy a bag of cornstarch, it will produce the same effect. Whether you have human hair or synthetic hair, these items will restore the natural shine to your toppers and give you satisfactory results.

#4 Separate your hair in advance

The first step is to get the base of your topper wet. Turn the topper upside down so that the base is fully exposed. You can hang it on a rack or hold it in place with your hands. Fill a spray bottle with water (make sure the water is the right temperature) and spray the base of the topper.

Once the base has absorbed enough water to become wet, subsequent operations will become easier. Now you can start parting the hair. Prepare a fine-tooth comb and comb your topper according to your personal style.

Regardless of how you are used to organizing your hair, you should do your best to make it look clean and neat. The most common way to part your hair, and the easiest way to style your hair, is to separate it from the middle. A mirror is necessary.

#5 Create a natural looking hairline

A natural hairline is essential in order to make the topper "invisible". Maybe you are suffering from severe hair loss, but there is nothing to worry about. Hair topper will solve this problem.

Therefore, you need to pay attention to the hairline. It is not a wise approach to overlap the topper exactly with your existing hairline. We recommend that you pull the topper back, leaving about an inch between its edge and your hairline. This will allow the topper to seamlessly blend in with your original hair for a perfect transition.

You can also use hair day powder to soften the edges of your topper by simply filling it in within a one inch area. If you have some baby hairs on your forehead, congratulations, they can enhance the look for real. Before wearing the topper, allow your front hairline and topper to be slightly damp and blend them together with a brush for a smooth finish.

#6 Flatten the base

If you just got a new hair topper, don't put it on right away. The base of the topper may be uneven, which is a normal condition.

According to expert advice, you can place it under a hard object with a smooth surface for about two days and use pressure to make it flat. This method is easy, but the disadvantages are obvious. The hair of the topper is likely to get knotted, tangled and messy. The cuticle will also be damaged, causing the hair strands to frizz and break.

There is a trick that will allow you to avoid this. Use a flat iron. That's right, the one you use to iron your clothes. Lay the topper flat on the table with the base facing up and use a comb to layer your hair. Keep the iron on a low temperature and iron from the base outwards. If you notice any split ends on the base, be sure to iron along the direction of the split ends. To make sure your topper is not damaged, you can put a cloth on your topper.

#7 Include a natural cut and edge trim

If your hair topper looks untidy or has become frizzy, don't rush to get a new one, there are ways to remedy it. Methods of maintaining the topper works well, but the cut also plays a big role.

Want to make your topper look great again? Cut it short, add some layers, or straighten it. Braiding it or tying it into a bun is also a good idea. Sometimes, bangs can surprise you too. For beginners, a hair topper with bangs can save a lot of trouble. It hides the hairline nicely and doesn't require root coloring.

Currently, many celebrities wear hair toppers in order to create a different style look. With a professional hair stylist's cut, the topper can perfectly blend in with bio hair and have natural baby hairs. You can look for a professional hairdresser to create a trim style that suits your needs to match the overall look.

#8 Apply concealer

If you do love your topper but it doesn't match your bio hair color and you don't want to dye it, then you need a concealer. Choose a concealer in a shade that closely resembles your biological hair, dip a brush into some, and gently apply it to your hair topper from root to tip.

In addition, root make-ups can also help you. Spray a root make-up on your roots and then wear the topper, it will make the articulated part look more natural. If you accidentally apply too much concealer, root make-ups can cover up this fault.

Of course, you can also tone down the color of the overall look with a well-designed makeup look. Using an eyeshadow in the same color as your hair roots will have a dramatic effect. Try it out if you don't believe it.

Can I sleep in a hair topper?

Should I sleep with my hair topper? In short, we do not recommend it. There are several reasons for this:

  1. When you roll over or move, the friction between the hair topper and the pillow can cause tangles or frizz, sometimes causing irreparable damage.
  2. Wearing the topper for a long time may cause scalp irritation. Sweat and oil from your scalp are deposited on the scalp and the topper, causing follicles to become enlarged and real hair to fall out.
  3. Dirt collects in the topper and requires frequent washing, which can reduce the life of the the hair topper.

Certainly, if you decide you do need to wear a hair topper to bed, we can offer you some valuable experience tips and also the least damaging way to your hair topper. Just scroll down and read on.

#1 Sleep with a specific hair topper

Perhaps you are used to wearing a hair topper to bed from time to time, or you think it gives you peace of mind to sleep that way. If this is the case for you, investing in an affordable hair topper is a great option. You can think of it as a specific item to be used only when you sleep. This way, other hair toppers will not have to suffer damage and can stay healthy.

#2 Replace your pillowcase

Always have some hair on your pillow?This means you should change your pillowcase. This means you should change your pillowcase. Most people have cotton pillowcases at home (and in hotels), and cotton pillowcases are the most common. However, this material produces a lot of friction and can easily break the hair. Therefore, we recommend that you switch to silk pillowcases. Its benefits are there for all to see: smooth and soft surface, warm in winter and cool in summer, breathable, keep the hair, etc. What makes it difficult is that it is a bit expensive.

#3 Wear a sleep cap

The advantage of a silk sleep cap over a silk pillowcase is that it not only has all the advantages of a silk pillowcase, but it can also reduce the financial burden. Choosing a proper sleep cap can largely reduce hair damage and help protect the hair topper and your real hair. Keeping your hair toppers separated from the pillow is the most effective way to eliminate friction. The silk sleep cap can hold all your hair and you don't have to worry about any strands falling out.

#4 Secure your hair topper

You'll want to make sure the topper doesn't move around on your head before you go to bed. If the topper is not secured properly, it will take more friction and squeezing then damage. You can use some good quality clips with a smooth surface to ensure that the hair topper stays in place while you sleep. Tape or adhesive specifically for hair toppers is also an effective tool. You can pick some durable tapes or adhesives that are more suitable for long-term bonding. Another method is to braid the hair topper into a braid or a ball and place it in a hair net. But you don't need to tie it very tightly.

Related: How to attach Hair Toppers?

#5 Make your room sleep-friendly

At night, creating the right atmosphere in your room for sleeping is conducive to better sleep quality. Quality sleep can reduce twisting and rotation of the hair topper. If you feel that your mattress is not soft enough, you can add a mattress pad for extra comfort. For people who are not accustomed to complete darkness, dim night lights and electronic candles are a good choice. Overly bright lights are not good for deep sleep. You can also play some soft music or white noise to relieve the tiredness of the day and improve sleep. In addition, you should develop good sleep habits. You need to deliberately remind yourself that the bed is a place for rest, not entertainment. Keep your phone and computer away from your bed, and keep your brain in a relaxed state in bed.Maintaining a regular daily routine will also help you fall asleep quickly. By making your room a comfortable place to sleep, you and your hair topper can get a better rest.

#6 Smooth out your hair topper every other morning

When you wake up the next morning, you would be wise to brush the hair topper carefully so that it is soft and free of any tangles. Put it on the wig stand and comb your hair from the bottom up. Remember to use a wide-tooth comb designed specifically for the hair toppers and wigs so that it won't ruin your hairstyle.

How long do hair toppers last?

As far as quality is concerned, obviously the better the quality the longer it will last.  Poor quality hair toppers usually looks very shiny because of the silicone coating. But they are very non-durable. At Wigshe, we offer premium human hair toppers and human hair wigs and guarantee that the human hair content is 100%. You can experience soft, naturally shiny human hair, flowing in the breeze. A high-quality human hair wig can stay with you for at least 2 or 3 years as long as you use it correctly.

We know that no matter what it is, washing it too often is bound to wear it out. Hair toppers are no exception. It doesn't need to be washed every day, even if you wear it every day. Unlike real hair, the topper only needs to be washed two to three times during the week. You may be worried about dirt sticking to it, but that won't actually happen, as long as you wash it the right way. If you wash it too much, the base of the topper and hair strands will gradually loosen and the texture of your hair will deteriorate. You may not see it in the short term, but over time you will notice that your topper loses its shine and that it tends to break.

Related: How to wash human hair toppers?

                   How to wash synthetic hair toppers?

Can hair toppers be permanent?

Whether you're online or at the mall, you've probably seen the ad: Amazing permanent hair toppers are now available! First come, first served! For people with hair loss or thin hair, this is fantastic news similar to winning a million in the lottery. After all, once you have a permanent top, you no longer have to worry about embarrassing things like losing the hair topper in public, and you don't have to keep struggling to grow new hair. It's exciting!

As frustrating as it may be for you, we are obligated to inform you that permanent wigs do not currently exist and may not appear in the future regardless of human hair or synthetic hair. In fact, if you give it some thought you can see why.The hair follicles in your scalp need to breathe and like any other part of the skin, the scalp needs to breathe and also produces oil and sweat. If your topper or full wig stays fixed on your head, your scalp will become dirty and may also become allergic or infected with bacteria, or even cause severe hair loss.

Final Thoughts

We hope this article can be of help to you. If you are interested in today's content or have some ideas to add, you can contact us via email. For everything about hair, feel free to discuss with us.

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