If you own a curly lace front wig, you’re probably wondering how you can safely keep it clean without causing any damage. Well, I’ve done some research and here is what I found.
To wash a curly lace front wig without ruing the curls, you need to detangle the wig whilst it’s dry. Use a wide-tooth comb from ends to the root. Then, apply a tablespoon of shampoo to lukewarm water, submerge the wig, rinse the wig using cool water. Repeat the steps using conditioner instead of shampoo, and then let the wig air dry.
Following this step-by-step guide will ensure that your curly lace front wig keeps its curls after being washed:
- Prepare your curly hair lace front wig.
- Detangle your wig before washing it.
- Apply shampoo.
- Properly rinse your curly lace front wig.
- Dry your lace front wig using a wig friendly method.
Keep reading to find out how to properly use each step to ensure that you don’t lose the curls on your lace front wig during your washing process.
Step 01. Prepare Your Curly Hair Lace Front Wig
When it comes to washing your lace front wigs, especially the synthetic hair types, it is important to prepare the wig before washing it. This is because you have to be much more gentle with a synthetic hair wig than a human hair wig. After all, human hair tends to be stronger and more durable.
To prep your curly lace front wig before washing it, use an adhesive remover and a cotton pad to remove any remaining adhesive residue. Gently work at the spots on the wig that have residue using the soaked cotton pad; remember to do this gently
Whether it be wig glue residue or residue remaining from your wig tape, you want to make sure that all of this is properly removed before washing your wig. Some wig wearers leave this for the washing process, but water and shampoo aren’t always effective in properly removing build-up.
Step 02. Detangle Your Wig Before Washing It
Detangling is one of the key steps in preparing your wig for wash and ensuring that your curls remain even after washing your lace front wig. Although it is normally recommended to detangle a wig while it is wet, this doesn’t really apply to curly hair, especially if your wig is synthetic.
To detangle your curly lace front wig before washing it, apply a detangling moose/lotion on your wig and use and a wide-toothed comb to gently detangle your curly lace front wig. Begin at the bottom of the hair and work your way up.
Using a detangling moose or lotion is a great way to soften your wig hair and ensure that the comb can go through the curls smoothly without causing damage to the wig. Detangling a wet synthetic wig often alters the appearance of the curls when the wig dries.
Additionally, instead of using a normal comb, opt for a wide-toothed comb that will cause less damage to the curly hair. Synthetic hair is quite fragile and so avoiding anything that can cause unnecessary damage is always best.
Step 03. Apply Shampoo
This is when you actually wash your curly hair lace front wig. To begin, run a bucket or sink full of lukewarm to cool water for the washing process.
The best way to apply shampoo to your curly lace front wig is to first wet your wig by gently submerging it into the sink/bucket of lukewarm to cool water. Then, Apply sulfate-free or wig friendly shampoo to the wig and gently press it into the wig using the tips of your fingers.
Using products that are not wig friendly might contain chemicals that are too strong for wig use. Synthetic hair has already been stripped in the manufacturing process and therefore will completely break down with the use of the wrong chemicals. This is why sulfate-free and wig friendly shampoo is the best way to go.
Additionally, you want to remain gentle when washing your wig. Using a soft pressing motion with your fingertips to get the product into the wig hair will be sufficient.
Step 04. Properly Rinse Your Curly Lace Front Wig
Rinsing your front lace front wig properly is extremely important because when the product is not rinsed out properly, the hair could be left looking stringy and matted and the appearance of the curls will be affected.
The best way to rinse your curly lace front wig is to fill a sink with cool water and gently submerge your wig in; use the same fingertip motion used to wash your wig, to ensure that all the product is thoroughly rinsed out. Then, run your wig under clean, cool water for a final rinse.
The reason behind using cool water, especially if your wig is synthetic, is that hair is extremely sensitive to heat. Synthetic fibers are made using quite a bit of plastic in the ingredients, and heat could result in your synthetic hair shriveling up and being unable to use!
Step 05. Dry Your Lace Front Wig Using A Wig Friendly Method
This is where it gets a bit tricky because most wig wearers prefer using a hairdryer to dry their wigs. However, because of the fragility of synthetic hair, this is not an option.
The safest way to dry your curly lace front wig is to dab your synthetic/human hair curly hair wig dry using a microfibre towel or cloth. Then, air dry your wig either on a wig stand or on your washing line. If you hang your synthetic wig on the washing line, peg your wig at the nape of the wig (the back part of the base).
You want to be extremely careful when it comes to drying your wig to avoid any damage to the wig or the curls. Because synthetic wigs are known for retaining the style that you have purchased it with, the air-dry method is the best to ensure that this happens. It is the least invasive or manipulative method of drying your wig.
Want to learn more about washing a natural lace front wig? Check out our article here.
Methods To Soften Your Curly Lace Front Wig
One of the most common questions that come up when people ask about washing their curly wig, is how to get the hair soft again (especially if it is synthetic). Synthetic hair, after being used for a while, can sometimes become quite hard and matted. This can be fixed and there are two ways that you can do this.
If your curly lace front wig is made from human hair, then you can apply a cap fill of your favorite wig-friendly conditioner to the length of the wig and ends to soften the curl. If your curly wig is synthetic, then you can soak your wig in a bucket of cold water mixed with a cap full of fabric softener before washing it.
Deep Conditioning Treatments
When it comes to both synthetic and human hair lace front wigs, deep conditioning treatments are extremely successful in getting the hair soft and usable again. The formula used in a deep conditioning treatment is created to soften any type of hair and leave it moisturized.
Be sure to use a sulfate-free or wig friendly deep conditioning product, when you choose to deep condition your wig. This will ensure that the product does not contain any harsh chemicals that could cause more harm than good to your wig hair.
Deep conditioning treatments can be applied after the washing process and should be left in for the stipulated amount of time on the packaging of the product. If the hair is quite badly matted and hard, leaving the treatment in for a bit longer won’t cause any damage but might help in softening the hair further.
Fabric Softener
This one only applies to synthetic hair lace front wigs.
To many wig wearers’ surprise, fabric softener is a well-used tool to soften synthetic hair on a wig. Synthetic fibers are made in a way that they do not suffer damage when exposed to fabric softener.
The best way to do this is to fill a bucket or a sink with lukewarm to cool water before you wash your wig. Apply a cap full of fabric softener to the water and place your synthetic wig in the water to soak for a few hours.
Some say that the longer that you leave your wig in the fabric softener solution, the better the results. Perhaps, if your wig is in a really bad state, place your wig in the solution overnight. I would not recommend soaking your wig for any longer than that because leaving your wig submerged in water for long periods of time can be damaging to the hair bonds. After you have soaked your wig, proceed to wash it as indicated above.
Final Thoughts
Curly lace front wigs, particularly synthetic ones, need a little bit of extra care and attention when it comes to washing them. The good news is that the extra effort is totally worth it when you see the end result! If you follow the tips above when washing your wig, you will have no problem rocking a clean wig with beautiful curls!