No matter which type of wig you choose, it’s a good idea to have a backup. Wigs need regular care and sometimes require repairs, so having a backup can be very handy.

All wigs require regular home care, which generally involves shampooing and conditioning on a weekly basis. Most wigs come with general care instructions that should be followed for optimal results.

Human hair wigs should be treated as though they were your real hair. It’s best to use salon-quality shampoos and conditioners because they are gentler on hair. If your hairpiece is colored or permed, use products specifically designed for colored and permed hair. A human hair wig can be washed in cool or warm water and may be dried naturally or blow-dried with the heat set to cool or low.

Synthetic wigs react to heat, so they should only be washed in cool water and allowed to dry naturally. After drying, the wig will return to its original style with a few gentle shakes. Hot water, hair dryers, and curling irons should never be used on a synthetic wig.

Human hair wigs can be styled daily, much like your real hair. However, care should be taken to avoid damaging the hair when using tools like curling irons. Human hair wigs can also be highlighted, colored, or permed by a professional stylist. Note that the processes for coloring and perming a wig require special training and should not be attempted at home. Keep in mind that a human hair wig will hold its color or perm for quite some time, since the hair does not grow out. However, the color will eventually oxidize or fade, and a perm will eventually relax, so these treatments will need to be repeated periodically.

Synthetic wigs cannot be highlighted or colored, and many cannot be restyled. Those that can—primarily the more expensive synthetic wigs that have been hand-tied—must be restyled by a professional.

Almost all wigs require periodic repairs to keep them looking fresh and natural. Some repairs take just a day or a week, while others may take two to three months.

As with any head of hair, a human hair wig will lose hair due to normal combing and brushing. Hair is often lost first along the part and at the crown. On many wigs, hair can be added back to these and other areas to maintain a natural appearance.

Human hair wigs may also need to have some cuticles removed from time to time. Each human hair shaft has 5 to 10 cuticle layers, which are arranged like shingles on a roof. Under normal circumstances, these cuticles lie flat, making the hair easy to brush. When human hair is permed or colored, the cuticles are opened and then closed again to complete the process. If the cuticles do not close properly, the top layer of cuticles may need to be removed before the hair regains its manageability. This is a simple process when handled by the manufacturer.

Hand-tied synthetic wigs may need to be steamed to eliminate frizz or be restyled. This steaming technique is complex, requires highly controlled temperatures, and should only be done by a trained styling professional.

Wig prices can vary dramatically, ranging from less than $100 to over $5,000, depending on the materials used and the manufacturing process. Insurance will sometimes cover all or a portion of the cost if the wig is considered a medical hair prosthesis prescribed by a doctor. Nonprofit organizations that assist people with medical hair loss often have information on how best to approach your insurer for reimbursement. Some of these organizations also have funds to help those in need purchase medical hair prostheses.

You might start by checking with nonprofit organizations and support groups that work with people experiencing medical hair loss, as they may have a list of recommended wig providers. Your dermatologist and hairstylist may also know of reputable providers. Once you have a specific provider in mind, consider checking with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against them.