Properly clean your wigs. 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 give you long-term pleasure, 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 that keeping a wig 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 a difference in the world in avoiding depression. Anything you can do to aid in 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 life that allows us to leave the house feeling. to assemble.
After nine years of regularly attending hospital bedside women facing a problem of one condition or another and experiencing hair loss, I have truly seen miracles when a woman puts on a new wig, looks in the mirror and looks at herself. Suddenly she feels beautiful again and regains her ‘mojo’. It gives you that extra boost you needed to work harder to overcome your condition. Remember, human hair wigs, alternative hair, created hair, whatever term you resonate with, is hair that doesn’t breathe; It has no natural oils, so it needs hydration and replenishment.
Okay, let’s talk about synthetic hair wigs first.
Since synthetic hair is made from kanekalon, a nylon hair, it requires different products that are then used on human hair. Synthetic hair comes in silky or curly styles and is very inexpensive. The silky kanekalon is fine and straight, some are made with a built-in body.
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 much like 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 build-up can make your hair look dull and can also promote tangling. I advise my clients who constantly wear their synthetic pieces to wash them once every ten to twelve times they wear them. If you use a lot of styling products, it’s best to wash your hair once every five to six uses. It is 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 put on enough product to do what it takes to achieve the look you are trying to achieve and wash only when necessary.
When brushing:
Brushing your synthetic hair will help prevent tangles and knots. A normal hairbrush should not be used on synthetic hair as it will cause the ends to split and frizz. Buy a special synthetic hair brush or comb at any beauty supply store. Using a brush with rubber tips on the bristles can be used for synthetic hair as well as human hair to prevent hair fibers from splitting.
Brush hair before washing to remove any tangles. A wig “detangling” spray can be applied to help separate strands if necessary and smooth out knots.
Attach the piece to a wig head. They come in polystyrene or canvas. Either can be used. Attach small T-Pins to temples, forehead, and nape to keep hair in place. This will also prevent inversion (when the hair goes through the inside of the wig).
For synthetic hair, some people will use simple household products like 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 stores and specialty wig stores.
It is important to use suitable styling products on synthetic hair. There are many products available in beauty supply stores, including hairspray, leave-in conditioner, shine spray, mousse, and styling cream.
Leave-in conditioner can be sprayed on damp synthetic hair and then rubbed in gently with hands. All right, it’s time to wash your “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, the hot water will relax it. Also hot water tends to extract the color.
Mix about two caps of synthetic wig shampoo in the water, place the wig head gently in the soapy water, and flick 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 running cold, clean water in the same direction as the hair, rinsing until no soap scum remains. Repeat with 2 caps of conditioner and then repeat the rinse procedure.
Carefully remove the pins from the wig head and set them aside. Never brush a synthetic wig when it is wet. This can cause hair to stretch and break. To dry the wig, place it on a towel and dry the wig 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 suede material that when used to blow-dry, pulls water out of a wig three times faster. Then put the wig on a wig stand or blow dry the wig head until dry.
You can prevent the build-up of scalp oils on synthetic wigs by wearing a wig cap. Wig caps are inexpensive and can be purchased at beauty supply stores. Just make sure the cap is not too tight as you will now be using two pieces of elastic. One on the base of the wig and one on the cap.
Also, never use hot styling tools like hair dryers, curling irons, or flat irons to straighten 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 not to get close to the heat in the kitchen. Reaching 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 shouldn’t take more than 5-6 minutes.
Since human hair is a bit more delicate, it requires more sensitive products. Most people think of baby shampoo as the most delicate when it is actually the worst product as it dries out hair. As with synthetic hair, you only need to wash your wig when you feel the need to. When it starts to look a bit scruffy, greasy, or dirty, the time is right. 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 the wig. It is important to put the protein back into the hair after washing and before conditioning, so buying a wig protein spray is essential to prevent the hair strands from becoming brittle. Buying a good color retention product will help prevent color fading.
Also, a good wig conditioner, wig hairspray, and a wig detangler are essential to prevent hair from tangling and tangling, thus creating breakage.
Here are some Product solutions I recommend:
When drying human hair, carefully remove it from the block and pat it dry with a large, dry towel. Again, never ring or twist your hair as it can cause breakage. There is a wonderful frictionless towel that will absorb the water from the 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 let the piece partially dry, until it is just damp, before staining it. Also, putting a thermal spray protector on your hair before applying a heating device will protect your hair from burning or drying out.
There you have it! Don’t be afraid, you will do well if you follow these tried and true steps.
Good luck!