Used Wigs: to Sell or Not to Sell?

With the rise of ethics concerns regarding human hair sourcing, the sustainable practice of wig-reselling has become more popular amongst eco-conscious consumers. There are, however, a few concerns about this practice - is it sanitary? Are there dedicated platforms to sell my wigs? And all-in-all, is it actually worth it? We’ve answered all your concerns below - continue reading for the scoop!

Is it Sanitary?

A common question is, 'how can this be a sanitary practice if someone else has worn the wig?!'. We get it - dandruff, nits and scalp sweat... not an attractive sell-point. Well, just like buying second-hand clothes, there are ways to avoid any unwarranted bacterial infections. We’d recommend always washing your wigs as soon as they arrive. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and work your hands into the inner parts of the wig, and especially the wig cap. You could also completely replace the wig cap. Keep hair conditioner in for just over an hour to revive your tresses - this will also ensure the unit is squeaky clean. When it’s time to wear your freshly-washed wig, we’d advise wearing a wig cap beneath as an additional sanitary measure. Now you’re good to go!

 Image | Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Where to Sell?

The popularity of wig-selling has seen an increase in several marketplaces following suit . One of our favourite and most trusted sites is Silk or Lace. They offer a super easy ‘sell your wig’ service, where sellers can list their wigs for a desired price. Other popular online marketplaces to sell wigs include Depop and eBay!

Image | Screenshot of Silk or Lace Website

Is it Worth It?

So, your hygiene concerns have been put to rest, you know where to re-sell your wigs, but now your thinking... is it worth it? Well, we have three reasons as to why we think it’s good practice!

1. Promotes sustainability: Anything to do with re-selling, re-using, recycling is a win in our eyes. Single-use practices should be abandoned and this is the core of wig-reselling.
2. Financial opportunities: Wig sellers can make some extra cash! Throwing away the wig or keeping it tucked under your bed will earn you £0!
3. A cheaper alternative: Second-hand wigs are significantly cheaper than newly-purchased wigs - an opportunity to save over £100? Go for it!

Image | Selection of Wigs

Wig-reselling may just be here to stay. In fact, one of our official 2022 wig predictions was that wig-reselling would become more popular - check out the blog here! Its popularity amongst the sustainability-driven Gen-Z and millennial wig-wearers indicate that we may be moving toward an ethical shift in the wig world… and we’re so here for it!