The prominence of wigs among women and men alike has increased significantly in the past few years. A range of factors, including the advancement of wigs and hair pieces, which make them more natural looking, the growing acceptance, and increasing affordability, are making them popular. Moreover, patients who lose hair due to some medical condition or its treatment need helpful hair alternatives. However, a significant challenge wig wearers experience is choosing the right adhesive between wig tape and glue options to ensure their wigs stay securely in place and do not budge while performing any tasks. Here, we find out which is better.
What Is A Wig Tape
As inferred from its name, wig tape is generally a double-sided adhesive tape designed to attach a wig or hairpiece to one’s head. The adhesive formulation used for creating this product is typically medical grade to ensure it does not harm the skin. This is also done when considering individuals who have sensitive skin. Moreover, this product has many options, including materials, tape shape, size, length, and strength.
Why Are These Popular?
These products are popular among wig wearers because of their features and advantages. Some of the key benefits that these tapes offer include the following:
- Simple To Use: The most significant advantage of wig tapes is that they are extremely simple to use. They are non-messy, simple to apply, and quick to remove. Additionally, in most cases, they are available in pre-cut strips, which makes them even easier to use, or they can be cut easily depending on the length you require for attaching the hairpiece.
- Easy On The Skin: Since these tapes are usually made of medical-grade adhesives, they are gentle on the skin. They are hypoallergenic, making them great for wig wearers with sensitive scalps. This is a very beneficial feature for patients recovering from medical treatments such as chemotherapy.
- Flexible and Adjustable: Another critical advantage of these tapes is that they are highly flexible and adjustable, which makes them extremely suitable for wig wearers. If the tape placement is not right in the first go, the wearer can adjust it again to align with the wig edges. As a result, there is less wastage, and wearers can make the most of their investment.
However, despite the numerous benefits that make them an excellent option for attaching a toupee or a wig, wig tapes also have certain drawbacks, which may not make them the ideal choice for everyone. Here are some of the main disadvantages to consider:
- Ability to Hold For Long Hours: Some wig tapes can start giving out after some time, especially if you have purchased a cheap option online. They can easily be fake. As a result, they might not be the best fit for individuals looking to wear the wigs for several hours or throughout the day. This can vary based on the kind of wig, so deciding whether it is suitable can vary based on every wig wearer. Always purchase wig tapes from authentic dealers like Superhairpieces; you will never have a problem with tape lifting.
- Strength: Tapes do not offer the strongest hold on the wig compared to other adhesive options. As such, they might not be helpful in all cases, especially if the wig is heavy because of the weight of the hair, which can result from the volume or length of the hair. Moreover, in some cases, although the tape can be helpful for regular wear, it might not be able to hold up if the wearer engages in any strenuous activities. In such cases, you should combine its use with wig glue for a secure hold.
What Is Wig Glue?
Wig glue is the other most common type of adhesive chosen by wig wearers to strengthen their wigs. This adhesive is typically formulated as a gel or a liquid, which can be put on the wig or scalp to attach the two. This offers a firm hold for long periods, making them extremely loved and preferred by individuals who need to wear toupee or wigs for long durations.
Why Are These Popular?
The reason behind the popularity of this adhesive lies in the diverse advantages that it offers. Some of the key benefits include the following:
- Zero Visibility: The primary advantage of wig glue is that it is not visible when worn. This feature can benefit anyone wearing a wig to keep the look natural and discreet.
- Powerful Adhesion: When it comes to performance, wig glue promises exceptional adhesion for long periods, making sure the wig remains intact and unshakable for the genuinely natural appearance that people want from wigs. The strength of the adhesive makes it possible for people to live daily lives and engage in diverse activities without worrying about the wig slipping.
- Waterproof: The wig glue resolves the vital challenge of the adhesion loosening over time as the wearer sweats. Since it is available in waterproof options, it is the ideal choice.
However, these, too, are vulnerable to certain drawbacks, including the complexity of applying them to the scalp when wearing the wig, potential damage to the skin if the formulation is not for sensitive skin, and a rather lengthy procedure for removing the wig and cleanup of the residue left behind.
Conclusion
Given the pros and cons of glue and tape adhesives designed for wigs, choosing which is better is entirely preference—and circumstance-based. What may be the best option for one person may not be suitable for another, making choosing the right choice a personal opinion. If you wish to have a firm adhesion, glues, in general, are the better option; however, if normal strength serves your purpose and you have sensitive skin, then the tape option would work much better.
For best results, use both together.