How to clean a wig correctly

Clean your wigs properly. It is not as difficult as you imagine

You spent a lot of money on your new wig, so let’s make it last. If you want your beautiful wig to continue to look fresh and enjoy in the long run, then, as with anything else, you need to take care of it. For those of you dealing with cancer or other health related treatment, I know keeping a wig on may be the last thing you want to do. However, I believe that for many women, maintaining the routine and glamor of their outward appearance can make all the difference in the world in avoiding depression. Anything you can do to help the healing process will be a positive step during this crucial time and for some of us that means paying attention to these beauty rituals and to this area of ​​our lives that allows us to leave the house feeling together.

After nine years of regularly helping women at the hospital bedside dealing with one problem or another and experiencing hair loss, I have truly seen miracles happen when a woman puts on a new wig, looks in the mirror, and suddenly she feels beautiful again and her ‘mojo’ is back. She gives him that extra push that she needed to work harder to overcome her condition. She remembers, human hair wigs, alternative hair, created hair, whatever term she resonates with, it’s non-breathing hair; It does not have natural oils, so it needs hydration and replenishment.

ok let’s talk about synthetic hair wigs first.

Since synthetic hair is made from kanekalon, a nylon hair, it requires different products than those used on human hair. Synthetic hair comes in silky or curly styles and is very inexpensive. Silky kanekalon are fine and straight, some are made with body incorporated.

There are several different types of synthetic hair that vary in price and quality. The highest quality type of synthetic hair is called monofilament, monofiber, or “mono” for short, which looks and feels very similar to human hair.

The purpose of cleaning synthetic hair is to remove oils from the scalp that can build up over time. Also, if you use a lot of styling products, this buildup can make hair look dull and can also promote tangling. I advise my clients who constantly wear their synthetic garments to wash them once every ten to twelve times they are worn. If you use a lot of styling products, it’s best to wash your hair once every five or six uses. It’s important to note that washing synthetic hair will certainly decrease its lifespan, as nylon will lose its elasticity and shine with washing, so try not to use excessive amounts of product. Just apply enough product to do what you need for the look you’re trying to achieve and wash only when needed.

When brushing:

Brushing synthetic hair will help prevent tangles and knots. A regular hairbrush should not be used on synthetic hair as it will cause split ends and frizz. Purchase a special synthetic hair comb or brush at any beauty supply store. Using a brush with rubber tips on the bristles can be used for both synthetic and human hair to prevent hair fibers from breaking.

Brush your hair before washing it to detangle it. A wig “detangling” spray can be applied to help separate strands if necessary and smooth out knots.

Place the piece on a wig head. They come in Styrofoam or canvas. Any can be used. Place small T-barrettes at the temples, forehead, and along the nape of the neck to hold the hair in place. This will also prevent inversion (where the hair comes out of the wig).

For synthetic hair, some people will use household products as simple as laundry detergent followed by a good wig conditioner. Others use specific synthetic wig care products that can be purchased online and at most beauty supply and wig specialty stores.

It is important to use proper styling products on synthetic hair. Many products are available at beauty supply stores, including hairspray, leave-in conditioner, shine spray, mousse, and styling cream.

The leave-in conditioner can be sprayed onto damp synthetic hair, then gently rubbed in with your hands. Okay, time to wash your “little lady”.

This process is super easy and shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes. Fill a bucket or sink with cold water. Do not use hot water; If your wig, hairpiece or extensions have any kind of wave or curl, hot water will relax them. Also hot water has a tendency to remove the color.

Mix about two capfuls of synthetic wig shampoo in the water, gently place the head of the wig in the soapy water, and rock the hair back and forth in the water for about 3 minutes. Do not twist the head of the wig, as that will surely cause the hair to tangle.

Remove the wig head from the soapy water and hold it under clean, cold water running in the same direction as the hair, rinsing until no soapsuds remain. Repeat with 2 capfuls of conditioner and then repeat the rinsing procedure.

Carefully remove the pins from the head of the wig and set them aside. Never brush a synthetic wig when it is wet. This can cause the hair to stretch and break. To dry the wig, place it on a towel and dry it continuously, recovering the water from the piece. Do not twist or wring the hair. There is a wonderful product called Friction Free Towel that is similar to a chamois material that when used to dry, will get water out of a wig three times faster. Then place the wig on a wig stand or dry wig head until dry.

You can prevent oil buildup on the scalp in synthetic wigs by wearing a wig cap. Wig caps are inexpensive and can be purchased at beauty supply stores. Just make sure the cap isn’t too tight as you’ll be using two pieces of elastic now. One on the base of the wig and one on the cap.

Also, never use hot styling tools, such as blow dryers, curling irons, or straighteners, on synthetic hair. Heated tools, even on the coldest setting, will melt synthetic hair. Unless it’s just cold air, I don’t suggest using a blow dryer on synthetic hair. Also be careful around the heat in the kitchen. Reaching into the oven to grab that beautiful lasagna or salmon dish you made will be the demise of your piece.

Now for human hair Wigs:

You can follow the same washing instructions as above, only a few more products will be needed to protect this type of hair. This process should not take more than 5-6 minutes.

Since human hair is a bit more delicate, it requires more sensitive products. Most people think that baby shampoo is the most delicate when in fact it is the worst product, since it dries out the hair. As with synthetic hair, you only need to wash your wig when you feel the need to. When it starts looking too disheveled, greasy or dirty, that’s the right time. Ladies…we all know when the time is.

First, I suggest you buy a good wig shampoo. Regular shampoo can contain too much alcohol, which if used continuously, can slowly break down the wig. It is important to return the protein to the hair after washing and before conditioning, so purchasing a protein spray for wigs is essential to prevent hair strands from becoming brittle. Purchasing a good color retention product will help ensure that the color does not fade.

Also, a good wig conditioner, wig hairspray, and wig detangler are essential to prevent hair from matting and tangling and breakage.

Here are some product solutions I recommend:

When drying human hair, carefully remove the hair from the block and dry with a large dry towel. Again, never twist or twist your hair, as this can cause breakage. There is a wonderful frictionless towel that will absorb water from your wig three times faster. I recommend that you put the human hair on a wig head or wig stand where air can flow in and out.

It is good to allow the piece to partially dry, to just damp, before blow-drying it. Also, putting a heat spray protectant on your hair before applying a heating device will prevent your hair from burning or drying out.

So there you have it! Have no fear, you will be fine if you follow these tried and true steps.

Good luck!