Wig Care 101: Washing Your Human Hair Wig
You’ve been washing your hair for decades. But did you know that washing a wig is a little different? Although a human hair wig is made of the same materials as natural hair, the way your wig is constructed is much different than the way the follicles flow out of your head. This means that if you want to extend the life of your wig, there are some special procedures that you should use to care for it.
Tip #1: Brush your hair the right way
Many people with naturally-growing hair brush it from root to tip. But this is not the way you should brush your wig prior to washing. Instead, start by combing out the ends of the hair using a special wig brush. Once you’ve detangled the ends, then take the next small section above it and comb through it, always with downward strokes. Gradually work your way up to the top of the wig until the entire piece is detangled.
Tip #2: Wet your hair the right way
Human hair wigs should not be submerged in or agitated under water, as this can cause tangling that can be very difficult to comb out and can shorten the life of the wig. Instead, holding the wig in your hands, wet it under running water, always keeping the water flowing downward with the hair instead of wetting it from beneath or at an angle, which can make the hair tangle. This water should be lukewarm to cold – never hot.
Tip #3: Shampoo your hair the right way
Although your wig is made of real hair, the combination of processing during the manufacturing process and the lack of new hair growth makes the fibers less resilient than live growing hair. Because these hairs never touch your scalp, they also don’t become oily or collect dead skin cells like natural hair. For all these reasons, you should only use specially-formulated human hair wig shampoo, which is designed to meet the needs of your wig and increase its lifespan.
To wash your wig, pour a small amount of shampoo in the palm of your hand and gently massage it into the hair beginning at the root and working your way down to the ends. You should also take a dab of shampoo and wash the edge of the wig’s cap, but avoid rubbing the scalp area, particularly where the strands are hand-tied so as not to loosen the knots.
Tip #4: Condition your hair the right way
Unlike naturally-growing hair, which is constantly moisturized by oils from your scalp, your wig receives no such care. This is why conditioning should always accompany washing – even if you seldom conditioned your natural hair prior to wearing a wig. Moisturizing not only keeps your wig glossy and healthy-looking, but keeps the strands hydrated, which reduces frizzing and keeps them supple.
To condition your hair, use the same method you used to shampoo it. Make sure you use a conditioner specially formulated for human hair wigs and apply it to small sections at a time for best results. After the conditioner has sat on the hair for the recommended amount of time according to the instructions on the back of the bottle, rinse the hair in cool water.
Tip #5: Dry your hair the right way
Drying is an important step in the washing process, and can greatly effect the look and longevity of your wig. Always pat your hair dry with a soft towel after washing – never twist or wring it. Although human hair wigs can be blown dry occasionally, doing this on a regular basis can also cause heat damage and should be avoided as much as possible. Instead, place your wig on a wig stand and allow it to air dry before wearing or styling.