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Caring for Wigs, Synthetic and Human Hair
One basic principle of wig care applies to both human and synthetic wigs. Resist the urge to shampoo! Depending on certain conditions, a wig needs shampooing only after 14 days of use if you work or live in an enviornment that has a lot of pollutants in the air, or if you work in a factory or kitchen. If you work in an office, it is possible to go 1-3 months before your wig needs to be shampooed. Most people wash their hair 2-4 times a week, if not daily, (not a good habit!) and think that their wig needs the same shampooing schedule. Many nice wigs have been ruined by over shampooing. By keeping your scalp clean, removing your wig when you sleep and storing it on a wire stand to allow air to circulate thru it, you will reduce the need to shampoo your wig. This blog’s owner has gone 3-5 months at a time without shampooing her wig by following the steps outlined above and below.
Synthetic Wigs and Human Hair/Synthetic Blend Wigs
A synthetic wig requires special care. Shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays and other styling accessories designed specifically for synthetic wigs are available and should be used to take care of a synthetic wig. Synthetic wigs are fibers and can not absorb conditioning agents, as does human hair, even though your wig may be a human hair/synthetic blend. The important fact to remember when caring for a human hair/synthetic blend wig is that the wig is predominately synthetic fiber and the care given should be directed towards care of the synthetic fiber. All products used on synthetic wigs should have a water-soluble base. Each manufacturer has a line of products designed for the care of their wigs.
Regardless of what brand of synthetic wig you purchase, the following guidelines regarding care and maintenance apply:
1. Using a large pitcher or jug, mix a tablespoon of shampoo with COOL/COLD WATER as instructed by the manufacturer. (Hint: a teaspoon of baking soda will boost the cleaning power of the shampoo. This trick works with laundry soap when washing clothes as well!)
2. Using a wide tooth comb or pick, gently remove all tangles.
3. If you have a monofilament top, hand tied, or combination cap wig, turn the wig inside out before pouring the shampoo water thru the wig. This step will protect the knots from coming undone as quickly versus “soaking” your wig in a basin with shampoo and water. Shampoo, or soap, acts as a lubricant and can cause the knots used to tie the hair into the wig base to loosen, and therefore shed.
4. Gently pour some of the shampoo water thru the underside of the wig, then turn the wig right side out, pour the rest of the shampoo water onto the hair and work suds through the wig taking care not to “rub” the cap if you have a monofilament, hand tied or combination cap wig. If you have make-up around the edges of your wig, gently clean these areas with a more concentrated shampoo solution.
5. Gently rinse the wig using the same technique as noted above, using cool water and rinse wig well.
6. After rinsing, follow manufacturer’s instructions for conditioning, with this exception: pour a small amount (a spoonful or two at most) of the conditioning solution into a 10 ounce spray bottle, fill the remainder of the bottle with cool water, then gently mist the wig with the solution, taking care not to allow too much of the conditioner on the “roots” of the hair as it will loosen the knots (if hand tied) or stitches on the wefts causing the hair to shed. Allow the conditioner to permeate the hair for the recommended amount of time per the manufacturer, then gently rinse the wig as noted above.
7. Lay wig on a soft absorbent towel and blot dry.
8. Place wig on wire wig stand. Starting at the ends of the fibers or hair, using a wide tooth comb or pick, GENTLY rearrange hair into desired style. Remember that a synthetic wig is pre-styled and you should not have to use much effort to rearrange the hair back into the original style.
9. Let dry overnight. If you are in a hurry, a blow dryer with a COLD SETTING may be used to quicken the drying process; however, be aware that any heat applied close to the synthetic fiber will put you at risk of melting the fiber which will make it look “frizzy”.
10. After repeated washings, your synthetic wig will loose its’ original curl and style. To re-style, you should contact a professional for the best results. You can re-style your wig yourself using magnetic (plastic) rollers and wig setting lotions. Using a plastic roller, wrap ends with wrap paper (like the ones used with permanent solutions) around strands of hair fibers to keep ends of fiber smooth, and gently wrap around roller, then secure with clips. If the curl has completely relaxed, hold a small garment steamer 6-8 inches from the rolled wig and gently steam each roller. When dry, gently remove the rollers and style as usual.
An important fact to remember when wearing a synthetic wig is that heat will damage the fiber. Exposure to sources of high heat will cause the wig fibers to melt and frizz. Caution should be taken when opening oven doors and cooking on the stovetop, smoking, sitting by the fireplace, grilling outdoors, et.
Human Hair
Although made of human hair, unless it is a custom-made virgin hair wig, special products should be used on human hair wigs. Only those products formulated for colored, permed or “processed” hair should be used because the hair in human hair wigs may have been processed at least once, if not several times. These processes damage the cuticle of the hair and leave it vulnerable to more damage by harsh shampoos. Any high quality, moisturizing shampoo formulated for processed hair may be used; however, Belk Wigs recommends the products made by Georgie Wigs because of their vast experience in the care of human hair wigs.
Regardless what manufacturer’s human hair wig you purchase, the following guidelines for care and maintenance apply:
1. Using a large pitcher or jug, mix about a teaspoon of shampoo with COOL/COLD WATER. (Hint: a teaspoon of baking soda will boost the cleaning power of the shampoo. This trick works with laundry soap when washing clothes as well!)
2. Using a wide tooth comb or pick, gently remove all tangles.
3. If you have a monofilament top, hand tied, or combination cap wig, turn the wig inside out before pouring the shampoo water thru the wig. This step will protect the knots from coming undone as quickly versus “soaking” your wig in a basin with shampoo and water. Shampoo, or soap, acts as a lubricant and can cause the knots used to tie the hair into the wig base to loosen, and therefore shed.
4. Gently pour some of the shampoo water thru the underside of the wig, then turn the wig right side out, pour the rest of the shampoo water onto the hair and work suds through the wig taking care not to “rub” the cap if you have a monofilament, hand tied or combination cap wig. If you have make-up around the edges of your wig, gently clean these areas with a more concentrated shampoo solution.
5. Using clean cool water and the same technique noted above, rinse wig well.
6. After rinsing, follow manufacturer’s instructions for conditioning, with this exception: pour a small amount (a spoonful or two at most) of the conditioning solution into a 10 ounce spray bottle, fill the remainder of the bottle with cool water, then gently mist the wig with the solution, taking care not to allow too much of the conditioner on the “roots” of the hair as it will loosen the knots (if hand tied) or stitches on the wefts causing the hair to shed. Allow the conditioner to permeate the hair for the recommended amount of time per the manufacturer, then gently rinse the wig as noted above. If you use a “leave in” conditioner, gently mist the wig with the conditioner solution. A “leave in” conditioner is recommended as it will help protect the hair between shampoos. This blog’s owner mists her wigs every time she wears it with a leave in conditioner diluted half and half with plain water.
7. Place wig on wig stand, styrofoam head or wig block. Never use wig T-pins to secure areas that are monofilament or polyurethane as this will create a hole where the pin is used. Thin dressmaker straight pins may be used carefully on these areas. Starting at the ends of the hair, using a wide tooth comb or pick, GENTLY rearrange hair with respect to center or side part. You may now set hair using magnetic (smooth plastic) rollers or blow dry hair on a low setting and use electric rollers or a curling iron. The best way is to let it air dry to avoid damage from heat to the hair.
8. Style as usual.
Thank you for reading, and if you have a tip you’d like to share, please do!
