A human hair wig that's cared for properly lasts for several years. The same wig without care can be worn out in six months. The difference comes down to fewer habits than you'd think.
Wash at the right pace
Washing too often and too rarely both cause wear. Wash every week and you rinse out moisture the hair can't replace on its own. Hardly ever wash it and products, skin oils and sweat build up – and then no mask can get through.
A sensible pace with daily wear is every sixth to eighth wear. Use lukewarm water, never hot, and always let the wig air-dry.
Store it on a wig stand
The cap keeps its shape and the hair isn't pressed flat. A wig left squashed in a drawer loses both its fall and its fit, and that's hard to style back.
Protect the hairline
Never pull on the lace when you take the wig off. Instead, hold the cap at the nape and lift it forwards.
If you use glue or tape, dissolve the residue with a suitable remover every time rather than scrubbing it off. It's the single most common reason lace yellows prematurely.
Keep an eye on the wear parts
The elastic band and the lace are wear parts. They're meant to be replaced – it doesn't mean the wig is finished. A new band restores the fit, and a new closure or frontal gives you a new hairline.
That's the point of knowing the parts apart: you replace what's worn out, not the whole wig.
Book your service in advance
The single most important habit. Nine out of ten wigs that come to us in poor condition haven't been treated wrongly – they've simply gone too long without treatment.
Our service plan includes two washes and a restyle over a year, and the biggest benefit isn't the price but that the wig actually comes in when it should.
Yearly wig care plan
- Every week: brush from the ends upwards in sections and apply leave-in through the lengths.
- Every sixth to eighth wear: wash with a sulfate-free shampoo and use a mask.
- Twice a year: a professional deep cleanse that dissolves residue at the hairline.
- Once a year: check the elastic band and the lace, and replace whatever no longer does its job.
- As needed: a new shape or thinning when the style has lost its form.
Frequently asked questions
Does a wig that isn't being worn need care?
It doesn't need washing, but it should be washed before it's put away. Product residue and skin oils left in for months break down both the hair and the lace. Check it over, too, before you start wearing it again.
Can you use the same brush on the wig as on your own hair?
Preferably not. A regular brush with balls on the bristle tips catches on the knots and pulls hair out of the cap. Use a wider-spaced wig brush or a wide-tooth comb, and always start from the ends.
What should you do if the hair has started to mat at the nape?
Deal with it while it's small. Detangle with plenty of leave-in and your fingers first, never with a brush in dry hair. If the mat has set, a professional deep cleanse is the next step, and after that new hair can be knotted in if the area has become sparse.
Which shampoo should you use on a wig?
We recommend products from KIS Haircare, chosen for the hair in your particular wig. Coloured, chemically treated, straight or curly hair each need different care. Just ask us and we'll help you choose, or take a look at our ready-made hair care kits.
Can you sleep in your wig?
Yes, that's fine. To protect the hair, braid it loosely or put it up and sleep on a satin pillowcase or in a silk bonnet. That way the hair tangles less at the nape.