How to Take Care Of Your Human Hair Wigs

How to Take Care Of Your Human Hair Wigs

For best results, you should wash your wigs before you style and wear them. The wigs typically arrives with a conditioner that coats the hair and is used to reserve the style and moisture, while stocked and during the shipping process. If this conditioning coating isn't washed off, you will have a difficult time getting the style to hold curls and the style you want.

If you want to make sure you like the style or cut, you can mist the hair with water and just blow dry the front and top. Once you know you like it and plan to wear it out, shampoo and condition it first.
 

Heat-styling vs air drying is highly recommended. Heat-styling smooths the cuticle making it look and feel natural and softer. If you plan on taking your wig or hairpiece to a stylist to color, make sure the hair is washed first. The coating will affect how color absorbs and should always be washed prior to chemically treating. A good indicator that it’s time to wash your wig is if the hair appears dull or lifeless. If you move but the hair doesn’t, it’s time to wash. You can extend the time in between washes by using dry shampoo at the root and base and touching up the style with heat.

How Much Should I Wash My Human Hair Wigs?

It’s very important to only apply a conditioner from the mid-shaft to ends. Always avoid applying conditioner to the base or cap as this can affect the integrity and cause shedding. Use products made for color treated human hair and follow manufacturer instructions when using a deep conditioner or treatment.

It's recommended to use hair oils and serums on the ends and use a heat protectant all over before blow drying and heat-styling. Use your discretion and if your wig needs to be washed more often or less often, you can adjust your routine. Sometimes simply touching up the hair with curling iron or flat iron in between washes works wonders.

 

PREPARING TO WASH YOUR HUMAN HAIR WIG

  • Gently remove tangles with fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Start at the ends and slowly work toward the roots to avoid damage. Do not brush.

WASHING

  • Do not soak or submerge product. Rinse by holding the hair under running cool water. Allow the water to run from roots to ends.

  • Place a small amount of shampoo for color-treated hair in your hand, evenly and gently stroke it through the hair in a downwards motion from the roots to the ends.

  • Rinse by holding under running cool water until the water runs clear. Gently squeeze to press out excess water. Do not twist or wring.

CONDITIONING

  • Place a small amount of conditioner for color-treated hair in your hand, evenly and gently work it through the hair in a downwards motion from the mid-shaft down to the ends avoiding the base and root. Applying conditioner to the base may cause shedding.

  • Leave conditioner on for 1-2 minutes or follow the conditioner manufacturer’s instructions. Do not exceed 3-5 minutes.

  • Rinse by holding under running cool water until the water runs clear. Gently squeeze or use a clean, dry towel to press out excess water. Do not twist or wring.

  • Place wet wig on a wig stand until it is completely dry. Finger styling is recommended.

STYLING YOUR HUMAN HAIR WIG

Style as desired:

  • To straighten, take a 1 inch section starting at the roots and run a flat iron to the ends.

  • To curl, wrap the hair around a curling iron and hold for 10 seconds and release.

  • If desired use hair spray, Palmades, and Edge Control on the final styled product.

IMPORTANT

STORING HUMAN HAIR WIG

The great thing about a wig or hairpiece is that after you spend time styling it and getting it the way you want it is, you can store it and preserve your wig for longevity. If you’re storing a styled wig and you want to keep it pristine, use a Styrofoam head, a folding stand or a canvas block. These options all keep the wig upright and undisturbed.
The Styrofoam is less expensive and in most cases cost ten dollars or less. When blow drying or altering human hair, it’s best to use a Styrofoam or canvas head. The two allow you to pin the wig or base and keep it secure while you work. If you’re simply storing for the night, a folding stand or even a roll of paper towels can keep your wig in a standing position. If a wig is wet and you’re letting it air dry, avoid a Styrofoam head as these can absorb water and mold over time.
For air drying, you can create the part and smooth the top, then let it dry lying flat on a towel or on a folding wig stand that allows air to circulate. If you’re traveling, use the box and hair net your wig comes with and just plan on touching it up before you wear it. You can also store your wigs inside out and in a plastic baggy. It’s good to place the hair net over the hair left out of the cap and remove excess air before sealing the bag. This type of storing will not preserve the hair style so be prepared to wet and style or wash and style before wearing. Most wig stores, deliver with a silk drawstring bag, you can also use that for traveling and storing your wig, but make sure you have your curling or flat irons with you if needed.
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