Wig Care The information detailed below and on the information pages on our web site, should be used as a general guide only. Please refer to manufacturers own wig care instructions and recommendations for further details.
Putting on a wig Firstly turn the wig upside down and give the wig a gentle shake to loosen up the fibres. Identify the front and the back of the wig. There is always a label and velcro sizing tabs at the back. Don't worry too much about doing up the tabs as they can be adjusted later for a better fit. Hold the wig at the back and place the front part over your forehead and pull it over your head, using your fingers to ensure any hair is kept clear of you face. The wig should fit securely but not be too tight. If it is then remove the wig and adjust the velcro tabs and put the wig on again for a better fit.
Synthetic wigs washing Gently brush the wig thoroughly with a wig brush or use your fingers to untangle any or all of the hair fibres. Fill a sink with cold water or use a large bowl (whichever you find easier) and add a small amount of wig shampoo. These shampoos are especially formulated for use on wigs, so do not use ordinary shampoos. Then, Immerse the wig in the water for a few minutes ensuring that the water and shampoo covers the whole of the wig without rubbing the wig. Take the wig out of the sink or bowl and after draining refill the sink or bowl with cold water again and soak the wig in the water to rinse. Repeat this several times if necessary. Those using long wigs would benefit from washing them using the shower attachment. This way the wigs remain hanging downwards, thus greatly reducing the risk of the wig becoming tangled again. Once the wig is fully washed and free from all traces of the shampoo, turn the wig inside out and holding the middle of the cap from the inside shake off any excess water. Assemble a plastic wig stand and place the wig on their and leave to dry for about two hours and the wig is ready to style.
Styling Once the wig is dry gently tease the fibres with your fingers to free up any tangled fibres before using a special wig brush or comb. Avoid using a brush designed for human hair. These brushes can create excessive tension, over-stretching the hair with abrasive strokes that may damage the hair. You are now ready to put some extra styling into your wig if you wish to or leave in the pre set style. The best styling tool is a spray bottle of clean water. Lightly spray your wig with water to remove static electricity and return your wig to its original look. To achieve style variations a liquid wig mousse is good styling tool. For curly or wavy styles, just mousse, hand scrunch, and pick the style into curls. On straight styles, mousse and brush the wig lightly. Your wig was designed with a basic style but the variations you can
achieve through styling are limitless. Added height can be achieved by gently lifting with the wig comb. If you want added fullness as well, tease or back-comb and then smooth the surface hair over the teasing. Your wig can be returned to its basic style by washing it and allowing it to air dry.
Caring for a wig Use products that are specifically designed for wigs, as these products are designed for synthetic hair. They will also help to keep the wig looking natural by not stripping away the colour or the natural sheen. using these products will help the wig to last longer. Keep your wig stored on a wig stand or other makeshift item (such as a roll of kitchen roll). This will help it hold its style and shape. Always when you take off a wig, just comb it through with your fingers to free up the fibres before putting it away.
What to avoid • • • • • •
Do not expose your wig to any unnecessary heat (Like opening an oven door, standing near a barbecue grill, etc.) as this will damage the wig fibers and cause wig fibers to frizz and melt. Never brush your wig when wet. Do not use any form of curling irons, hot rollers or blow dryers. Again, heat will totally ruin the wig. Do not use products designed for regular human hair. Only use special wig shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, mousses, and brushes or combs made especially for wigs. Do not use bleaches, colours, or rinses on your wig. This also applies to wearing your wig in a swimming pool, as the chlorine in the water will act as a bleaching agent. If you smoke the tar from the cigarette smoke will get into the fibres of your wig and you will ruin it. Avoid contact will all tobacco products completely.
Human Hair Wigs Washing and Setting Human hair wigs should be washed in cool to luke-warm water with a mild shampoo and conditioner. Using a conditioner is also recommended to reduce tangling. Wash the wig a similar way to synthetic wigs and dry in the same way. Those using long wigs would benefit from washing them using the shower attachment. This way the wigs remain hanging downwards, thus greatly reducing the risk of the wig becoming tangled. Human hair wigs can be set when wet. After washing, comb the hair then set in rollers or dry with a hair dryer on a low heat. Simply teat the wig in the same way as your own hair.
Styling, combing and brushing There are no problems using curling tongs, heated rollers or any other products on a human hair wig. Most wig caps are designed to be unaffected by the heat but additional
care must be taken when styling a wig with a skin-like cap as the plastic in the cap material can melt under heat. If wig hair gets frizzy, try any sheen spray or wig spray to calm the frizziness and then comb. If not, wash then set with setting lotion to get the frizziness out. When wigs are tangled, use any detangling or sheen spray then comb the hair. Any hair products such as gel, moose or sprays can be used on these wigs, as they are washable.