If you make the step to invest in a human hair wig, it is essential that you know how to care for and maintain it properly in order to make sure that you maximize your wig’s useful life and keep it looking beautiful and brand new every time you wear it for years to come. Not caring properly for your wig will substantially shorten its useful life and will leave it looking dull and unkempt when you are wearing it. Before going through the actual process of caring for your human hair wig, it is imperative that you know that the care and maintenance methods for human hair and synthetic wigs are not one in the same, which is why it is very important that you are 100% sure of what kind of material your wig is made of (namely if it is real human hair or synthetic material).
1. Do not expose your human hair wig to high temperatures
Naturally, full lace human hair wigs are made with the same hair that is on your head, and it is well known that too much heat exposure on your hair can be very damaging in terms of dehydration and fragility. Just like with your natural hair, avoid frequently using heat products such as flat irons, hair dryers, or curling irons, as these can dry the hair out and make it lose its shine, as well as make it more prone to breakage and frizz. If you do need to use a heating appliance on your human hair wig, make sure that the temperature does not go above 350 degrees Fahrenheit in order to keep your wig looking and feeling healthy and moisturized.
2. Use the correct wig- specific shampoo and conditioner
There are actually special shampoos and conditioners that are specifically made for human hair wigs, so make sure you buy the right product instead of washing your wig with your regular shampoo and conditioner that you use on your own hair. Some of the chemicals used in regular shampoo or conditioner can be quite harsh, which is why it is important that you use cleaning products specifically intended for wig cleansing and maintenance. One product we recommend is KUI’s Kuicare Tea Tree & Cinnamon Shampoo & Conditioner, which you can get in 500 ml bottles.
3. Stay away from hair spray, gel, mousse, and similar styling products
Styling products can make your wig oily, greasy, and prone to tangles, making it look messy and unkempt. For this reason, do not use styling products such as hairspray, hair gel, mouse, wax, grease, etc. on your human hair wig in order to keep it looking beautiful and feeling healthy. However, a good alternative is to can use non-oily spray- in or leave- in conditioner every day. Just spritz it on your wig a few minutes before putting it on, and you will get a silky, shiny and bright look. Aside from that, this product can also prevent static and frizz and keep your hair hydrated, making it look and feel like you just had your natural hair done at the salon.
4. Combing your human hair lace wig
It is important that you do not comb through your wig immediately after washing it while it is still damp; wait to comb through it until after it has completely air dried naturally. Make sure to only use a wide- tooth comb on your human hair wig. We recommend steel or other metal combs as opposed to plastic, as the latter can actually be damaging by causing tangles and snags. Always start combing from the roots at the top and go gently all the way down to the ends, as this poses less risk for hair strands breaking off or shedding.
If you have a curly textured wig, do not comb the hair too often, as these kinds of wigs are more prone to frizz when brushing. Use your fingers to freshen it up and make it look nice again after taking it off. If your wig has long hair, instead of going straight from the top to the bottom with the comb in one stroke, start from the top from the bottom working in sections. Notice that you will have to go through the same strand of hair a few times in order to get tangles out without damaging or breaking; make sure not to pull too hard or force through stubborn tangles, as this can lead to breakage! Patience and gentleness is key when combing your long human hair wig.
5. Do not sleep or shower with your wig
Do not sleep with your wig on, as this can cause damage, breakage, and tangling due to friction from moving around while sleeping. Also, while it is always good to keep your wig clean, make sure to never wear it in the shower! If you want to clean your wig, follow the above instructions for shampooing and conditioning with the appropriate, human hair wig- specific products and techniques.
6. Hair tangling or shedding
If your wig is tangled up after long- term use, do not pull the hair or force through stubborn knots; spray some specially made, non-oily conditioner meant for wig use and comb it with a wide- tooth comb or your fingers, slowly and gently working from the top to the ends. Keep in mind that slight shedding or strands breaking off is normal, just like when brushing your natural hair, so if you see this, do not panic!
7.Wig storage
When you are not wearing your wig, store it in the original packaging. When you are ready to take it out and wear it again, gently shake it out and the locks will fall into place as they were when you originally unpacked it as long as you have been taking care of it properly.