With a good quality synthetic wig lasting between four and six months with everyday wig wear, and human hair wigs costing more and lasting a little longer, there’s a lot of time to fall in love with your chosen wig style. A fact that makes parting ways with it even more heart-wrenching! Making your favourite wig last that little bit longer however is possible with the right care and attention.
In this blog post, we share our top tips for remedying the most common wig damage problems for synthetic and human hair styles.
Without the right care, synthetic wigs can quickly fall victim to extreme dryness, a problem that can cause static that’ll quickly impact both shape and style.
While fabric softener is often lauded as the best and most affordable route to restoring moisture in synthetic wigs, washing your wig in softener isn’t something we endorse. Instead, use wig-friendly products that nourish and deep condition to replenish your dry and damaged synthetic wig.
Most synthetic wigs are particularly sensitive to heat, which can cause a real headache if your wig starts to develop kinks in certain areas. Exposing your wig to steam is a gentle way to rid your synthetic style of kinks and restore straightness in no time at all.
Simply put your wig on its stand and place in the bathroom at shower or bath time. Close all the doors and windows to make sure the room gets nice and steamy. Next, comb your wig from root to tip to loosen up those kinks. After steaming, store your wig in a cool, dry place as usual.
Booking your wig in for a trim won’t just help you enjoy a more natural, flattering style that’s unique to you. It’ll remove any damage, including frayed and brittle ends.
If you are confident you can give your wig a trim yourself at home, you’ll want to make sure it is securely placed on a wig stand before getting started. You should also use a wide-toothed comb to ensure your wig is tangle-free – it’s your ticket to a smoother, more symmetrical result.
Start at the back of the wig when trimming and work your way out, checking your cuts are even every step of the way.
Without naturally occurring oils to keep those fibres lubricated, your human hair wig won’t react in the same way as your natural follicles. That’s why it is important to keep human hair wigs moisturised, especially if you wear it every day or use a lot of product to style.
Alongside regular washing and deep conditioning, you should limit heat styling to minimise, prevent and even reverse moisture-related wig damage in human hair styles. If you do have to resort to heat styling, Cosmopolitan recommends taking the following precautions:
“You should treat these wigs like you would your own hair. This means spritzing on a heat-protectant spray all over before using any hot tools. Johnson also recommends removing your wig while you sleep and placing it on a wig head (or laying it flat in a silk or satin bag) to keep your style intact for longer, while also limiting your use of heat.”
Even with the best care and the tips mentioned above, they’ll come a time to swap out your current wig with something new. This makes recognising the signs that say it’s time to upgrade your wig particularly crucial.
If your wig is getting more difficult to style, isn’t as shiny as it once was, is dry and frizzy, lacks volume, or is becoming loose fitting, you may be due for an upgrade. Luckily, you don’t have to search too far for a worthy replacement! Check out our range of synthetic and human hair wigs today.
If your wig isn’t quite past its prime, our range of after care products should certainly be explored. Our wig care must-haves provide everything you need to breathe life into wigs new and old, from specialist shampoos, conditioners and styling products to styling brushes, wig stands and complete wig care kits. You can browse our after care collection right here.
