Are your wigs looking limp, frizzy, misshapen and tangled after just a couple of months? You may need to take some steps to keep them looking fresh!
Wigs are investments, and like any good investment you need to take care of them in order to get the most out of them. With proper care and maintenance, your wig can keep looking fresh and new for longer.
Here at Transitions Hair, we’ve created numerous types of hairpieces so you can bet that we know a thing or two about keeping wigs in the best condition. To this end, the very first thing you need to do before anything else is:
Know Your Wig
Different types of wigs require different hair care steps primarily because of the difference in their material. Human hair wigs are obviously made of real human hair, and as such are a lot stronger and have a higher resistance to heat than synthetic wigs. They also tangle a lot less and hardly ever melt. Because of these qualities, real hair wigs are better for styling but care still needs to be taken when styling them.
Caring for Your Wigs
- Cleaning your wig
Whether you have a real hair wig or a synthetic one, both will need to be combed and cleaned to maintain their look. For human hair wigs, this means getting a special wig shampoo and conditioner for wigs. While it may be tempting to just use your regular shampoo and conditioner, you have to consider that while this wig is made of real human hair, it is no longer attached to a scalp. This means that it no longer receives natural oils and nutrients from the scalp. If exposed to regular shampoos and conditioners, your real hair wig may not be able to withstand the harsh chemicals contained within these products and they will become damaged. This is why it’s best to use specially-made wig shampoos and conditioners.For synthetic wigs, you can use a synthetic wig cleaner or a mild soap or detergent to clean them. Never use the synthetic wig cleaner on real human hair wigs! And to keep them from getting frizzy, you can spray on a mixture of fabric softener and water to your synthetic wigs. Fabric softeners eliminate static cling, which is often the cause of synthetic wigs losing their shape and style.
There’s no need to wash your wigs everyday, once every few weeks should do. To wash your wigs, first make sure to detangle your wig using a wide-toothed comb or wig comb.
- Fill a bowl with cold water and mix in a capful of shampoo or cleanser. Never use hot water as this may only damage your wig.
- Immerse your wig into the shampoo solution and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Do not scrunch your wig while washing as this may only tangle the strands and leave knots. If you need to, simply move the strands gently in the water to remove any buildup of dirt.
- To rinse off the shampoo, immerse your wig in another bowl of cold water. Do not wring your wig as this can cause the strands to fall off. If you must, gently squeeze the remaining water from your wig, one small portion at at time.
- For real human hair wigs, apply conditioner directly to the wig, stroking downwards from roots to tips. Leave the conditioner on for 4-5 minutes. Do not use too much conditioner or condition too often as this could cause some buildup.
- Rinse off the conditioner by immersing the wig again in a bowl of cold water.
- To dry, place the wig between a folded towel and pat dry. Do not wring or rub strands together while drying.
- Once done, gently shake the wig to allow it to regain its style, and place on a wig stand to continue air drying. Do not comb the wig if it is still wet, and do not use a hair dryer unless it is a heat resistant wig. Only use a dryer for heat resistant wigs and only in the lowest heat setting.
- Combing your wig
Combing your wig after every use and before washing is essential to keep it from matting. But you have to be careful not to overcomb or comb while the wig is still wet, as some strands may fall off. You should also use a specially-made wig comb, not a brush. Comb your wig from the bottom, working your way to the top. This way you are better able to detangle the strands without causing damage or pulling out any of the strands.
- Styling your wig
As we’ve previously mentioned, real human hair wigs are better for styling as they are more heat resistant and stronger than synthetic wigs. However, it is not recommended to expose them to too much heat as this can cause the hairs to become brittle. As much as possible steer clear of intense heat. Avoid putting on too much hair product that can weigh the wig down and cause buildup; and avoid hairstyles that can pull on the hair strands.
If you’re fond of just one particular hairstyle, it would be better to have a synthetic wig with that hairstyle already in place. Synthetic wigs are known to keep their style wash after wash, so they can be easier to care for and better suited to your preference.
- Storing your wig
For maximum protection and longevity, it is not recommended that you wear your wigs to bed. If you choose to do so however, make sure to put a protective covering over your wig and head to keep it from tangling as you sleep.
It’s best to store your wig when not in use. Place it on a wig stand so it keeps its shape, and cover it so it does not collect dust. If you have a synthetic wig and don’t have a stand, you could also keep it in the bag or box it first came in. Make sure to keep it away from heat, direct sunlight, pets and children. Lastly, do not store your wigs for very long without washing away any styling products and combing out any tangles and knots.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for keeping your wigs looking fresh:
- Don’t wear your wig to the shower, and remove it if it’s getting wet from the rain. Wearing your wig wet may cause strands to break or fall off.
- If you put too much product on your wig or cause it to become oily from contact, but don’t want to wash it too often, you can remedy the situation with some baby powder. Simply shake a small amount of baby powder to the roots and work it down through the wig with your hands or a wig comb. All that extra shine and oil should be gone in an instant.
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Take it to a professional. Want to achieve a new, fresh look with your wig? You can bring it to us here at Transitions Hair for extra special care and styling. Keep in mind however, that unlike your real hair your wig isn’t going to grow back once cut, so be sure if you want to have your wig restyled and cut.
