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Introduction:
We love being able to share our wig wisdom with our loyal followers, and caring for your alternative human hair is one of the most critical areas that we often get asked about. If you’re reading this, then you likely have already made the decision to purchase a human hair wig, and you naturally want to make sure you protect your investment so it remains in optimal condition for a long time to come. Whether you wear your wig daily or just occasionally, caring for human hair wigs is essential to ensuring that these beautiful hairpieces maintain their luster and longevity.
One of the most often asked questions we get asked about how to care for your wigs is: “Can you wash wigs?” The answer is a resounding yes! Washing wigs is in fact an important part of protecting your wig investment. There are a couple of options you have for washing your wig. You can either utilize a professional wig stylist trained in how to wash human hair wigs to wash your wig at a wig salon or showroom, such as the full service salon showrooms Milano has in key locations throughout the country, or you can learn how to wash human hair wigs yourself in the convenience of your own home. If you choose to be a DIY'er, washing and caring for your wigs at home, follow these simple steps for the best way to keep your wig in great shape and in turn helping you feel and look your best and most confident self.
Human Hair Wigs Require Special Care:
Before we delve into the washing and styling process, it's crucial to acknowledge that human hair wigs demand a special care routine. Although your wig may be human hair, you should treat it differently than you would care for your natural hair (also referred to here as bio hair). For example, unlike your natural, or bio hair which you may choose to wash every day, human hair wigs should not be washed daily. We recommend that you wash your human hair wig at most once a week, as washing and conditioning your wig too frequently can lead to product build-up and hair stress.
While salon visits are a viable option, maintaining your wig at home requires professional grade products designed explicitly for human hair wigs. Milano Collection, with its four showroom locations across Southern California, New York, and Florida, has a team of expert wig stylists trained in the best care and treatment of human hair wigs. They also offer a range of products designed specifically for human hair wig care, such as human hair wig shampoos, wig conditioners, wig detanglers, and other essential wig care products.
Here’s our step by step guide to washing and caring for your human hair wig.
Step 1: Brush Out Your Human Hair Wig
Begin your wig care routine by using a paddle brush, vent brush, or a wide-toothed comb and gently work it through your wig to remove tangles. Starting at the bottom and working your way up ensures a smooth detangling process without causing stress to the hair. Once your wig is free of tangles, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2: Wash Your Human Hair Wig
Step 3: Apply Conditioner to Your Human Hair Wig
Refill the basin with warm water and add a quarter-size amount of wig conditioner, such as Milano Essentials Ultra Hydrating Conditioner or Milano Essentials Ultra Gentle Conditioner. Similar to how to wash a human hair wig, use the same process to condition your hair by dipping the wig into the water until saturated, and repeating 3-4 times. Rinse thoroughly under running water to get rid of any remaining product.
How to wash human hair wigs without compromising on softness and hydration? The answer lies in the conditioning step. Use Milano Essentials Ultra Hydrating Conditioner to ensure your wig remains soft and manageable.
Step 4: Prep Your Wig for Styling
Thoroughly but gently towel dry your clean wig to remove excess water. Beyond using a human hair wig shampoo and wig conditioner, another important aspect of your wig hair care routine is making sure you detangle your wig after washing it. A good wig detangler is one of the most important human hair wig care products you should shop for. We recommend Milano Essentials Ultra Hydrating Detangler, or Milano Essentials Detangling Leave-In Mist, but whatever you use, search for one that is designed for human hair wigs. Then, apply your wig detangler to wet hair from mid lengths to ends in order to prevent knots in your hair and avoid damage to your wig hair. Comb through using a detangling brush, such as Milano’s Gentle Brush, or a wide toothed comb. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you use a small amount of product so you avoid product buildup.
Step 5: Style Your Wig
Additional Tips for Using the Hot Air Brush:
Use heat protectant styling products.
Take advantage of the three power settings - cool, low or high heat, depending on your needs.
For volume at the roots, use the Hot Air Brush horizontally at the crown.
If you have extra-thick or long hair, consider rough-drying with a regular blow dryer before using the Hot Air Brush.
To add volume at the hairline, blow dry hair up and back, creating a face-framing effect. Finish with a light spritz of texturizing spray.
A guide to caring for your wig would not be complete without talking about how you maintain it
Step 6: Store Your Wig
When not wearing your wig, always store it on a mannequin or foam head to help keep its optimal shape and style, or for a more decorative touch, try Milano’s Deluxe Wall Mounted Wig Holder. Find an area to leave your wig in when you’re not wearing it, that is not in direct sunlight to prevent the color from fading faster.
Traveling with Your Wig:
When traveling make sure you bring your essential wig tools for keeping your wig in tip top shape.
- Use a round travel case, such as Milano Collection’s, when traveling with a human hair wig, as the roundness keeps the shape of the wig cap. It also allows the hair to lay in a circular motion which prevents kinks in the hair.
- Once you arrive at your destination, when not wearing your wig, place it on a round stand, such as Milano Collection’s Collapsible Wig Stand. This helps keep the shape of the cap intact and allows the wig hair to breathe.
- Bring a gentle, detangling brush with you, such as Milano’s Gentle Brush or the Mini Gentle Brush and Comb Set, to gently brush and style your wig while on the go.
- A teasing comb is another really useful tool for keeping the front of your human hair wig looking its best. The teasing comb can also add height by the hairline which is important to ensuring your wig looks its best.
- Lastly, don’t forget to bring your favorite wig accessories from the Milano GripLine Collection, such as a WiGrip, Lace WiGrip™, TopGrip™, or GripCap with you to ensure your wig fits comfortably and securely on your head.
Conclusion:
By following these steps and using high-quality products specifically designed for human hair wigs, you can master the art of caring for your wig at home and protecting your investment. Remember to be gentle during the process, allowing your wig to maintain its natural beauty and ensuring it remains stunning for years to come. Regular care, using products like Milano Essentials, will keep your wig looking fresh and fabulous.
Discovering how to wash human hair wigs is not only about cleanliness but also about preserving the exquisite quality of your wig. How to wash a human hair wig can be a simple yet crucial aspect of your beauty routine, and with the right steps and products, it becomes a rewarding and enjoyable task. Whether you're a seasoned wig enthusiast with a deep understanding of wigs, or a newbie to the world of wig care, this comprehensive guide equips you with the knowledge to keep your human hair wig looking flawless, ensuring your investment is well preserved and a source and sign of confidence for years to come.
FAQ’s:
Q: How to wash a human hair wig without wig shampoo?
A: While we recommend a wig shampoo as the best way to keep your human hair wig clean, some people have been known to use baking soda, or cornstarch, to absorb the dirt, oil, or odors that can arise from frequent wig wearing. If you go this route, make sure to use warm water with baking soda (or cornstarch) - we recommend about half a cup of baking soda to 8 cups of water. Then dip your wig in the water once the powder is dissolved, and repeat 3 - 4 times. Afterwards, rinse out your wig gently, to get rid of excess water, and then follow with the additional steps below.
Q: Do I have to wash my lace front human hair wig any differently than a wig that has a silk top or silk front?
A: Regardless of the cap and front construction of your human hair wig, the same steps for washing, conditioning, styling and generally caring for your human hair wig still apply.
Q: How do I take care of my topper?
A: To take care of your human hair topper follow the same instructions listed here for your human hair wig care. We use the term wig here to apply to your human alternative hair, regardless of whether it is a wig or a topper.
Q: Do the same care instructions apply to synthetic wigs as to human hair wigs?
A: No. Synthetic wigs are made from man-made fibers, and require different care instructions. They are less durable than human hair wigs, and require different care. For more information, read our Human hair wig vs synthetic blog https://milanowigs.com/blogs/wig-talk-blog/human-hair-wig-vs-synthetic-everything-you-need-to-know
Q: Should I do anything differently if I have a short wig versus a longer length wig?
A: The same care routine should be followed regardless of the length of your wig or topper.
Q: How long will my human hair wig last if I take good care of it?
A: That depends on many factors, such as how frequently you wear your wig, the quality of the wig you purchase. Read here to find out more about this topic. https://milanowigs.com/blogs/wig-talk-blog/how-long-do-human-hair-wigs-last