Hair extensions are a way of lengthening your hair and giving it volume. Hair extensions can be 

made using 100% human hair, which can last up to 12 months. Extensions should be replaced 

every 3 to 4 months as they will start to break down and split if left on too long.

The time length for human hair wigs depends on the quality of the weave and other factors such 

as care, health, and use. Generally speaking, a high-quality weave will last between 2-3 months 

before needing to be replaced by a new one. However, a cheap weave can last up to 12 

months, or longer. If you have a very expensive weave that has been made from the best quality 

hair, it might last even longer than that. After 2-3 months, if your hair is still in good condition 

and you have not been wearing your human hair wig too often for extended periods of time, you 

can take off your weave for a day or so and put it back on. This will usually stretch out the 

remaining synthetic hairs so they will no longer need to be replaced.

There are two types of wigs – remade and virgin – both of which have different care instructions 

and chemical resistance. The following information should be taken into consideration when deciding which type of weave to purchase.

Virgin wigs are made from single, unprocessed strands of human hair that have not been 

coloured or chemically treated in any way. Remade wigs are used wigs that have been dyed, 

coloured, permed and/or texturised by cutting them and then sewing them back together again. 

The hair shafts may also have been thinned down to style the wigs into a certain shape. 

Chemicals such as ammonia and bleach can seriously damage remade human hair wigs over 

time. Virgin wigs are less likely to have been tampered with.

Synthetic wigs are usually last between 3-6 months, but if they are worn every day, the lifespan 

will be shorter. Synthetic wigs can also be prone to tangling and shedding if they are not cared 

for properly. They should not be washed because water breaks down synthetic hairs eventually 

causing them to tangle and weigh down the hair. Instead, synthetic fibers should only be 

brushed with a wig brush using wig shampoo. If you do wash your synthetic wig, you must use a 

gentle cleaning solution without any soap or other strong chemicals to avoid damaging it. This is 

why it is best to use a dry shampoo instead of washing it. Static can also be an issue with 

synthetic wigs and the only way to get rid of this is to lightly rub a dryer sheet over it.

It is important that you take good care of your hair extension to maximise its life span. To 

increase the longevity of your hair, avoid washing it for as long as possible, because hair 

damages easier if it is wet. When you do wash it, use gentle shampoo and warm water (never 

hot water) and use your fingers instead of a comb. Avoid rubbing the hairs too much because 

this puts pressure on them, which can damage them. Wet hair needs to dry naturally and should 

not be blow dried or placed in front of a heater for this reason. A hair dryer can also damage 

your hair because it makes it very hot and when the heat is applied to wet hair, it can cause serious damage.

Even if you do follow all of these instructions, your hair will still wear out in time and will need to 

be replaced. However, by avoiding certain actions such as perms and chemical processing, you 

can increase the lifespan of your human hair wig by a few months.

Summary: How long do Human hair wigs last? how long do wigs last

Lifespan also depends on the quality of the weave. Remade wigs are made from cut and sew 

human hair. Virgin wigs are made from single, unprocessed strands of human hair that have not 

been coloured or chemically treated in any way. Remade wigs are used wigs that have been 

dyed, coloured, permed and/or texturised by cutting them and then sewing them back together 

again. The hair shafts may also have been thinned down to style the wig into a certain shape. 

Chemicals such as ammonia and bleach can seriously damage remade human hair wigs over 

time. Virgin wigs are less likely to have been tampered with. Synthetic wigs are usually last 

between 3-6 months, but if they are worn every day, the lifespan will be shorter. They can also 

be prone to tangling and shedding if they are not cared for properly. They should not be washed 

because water breaks down synthetic hair eventually causing them to tangle and weigh down 

the hair.