Regardless of whether you wear your natural lace front wig every day or just on special occasions, you still need to keep it clean. I know washing your human hair wig can be daunting which is why I’ve compiled the best hacks for you!
When washing your human hair lace front wig, use a wig-friendly clarifying shampoo for the best results, and prevent wig damage. Start by detangling your wig then wetting it in cold or lukewarm water. Apply a tablespoon of shampoo from the roots to the wig’s ends, then rinse your wig and apply conditioner the same way. Let your wig air dry.
If you’re interested in learning about the best way to wash and style your human hair wig, keep reading to find out exactly how to do this in order to prolong the lifespan of your wig!
It is no secret that wigs made from human hair are more expensive, but they are totally worth it! Wigs that are made from human hair means that they are more resilient than wigs made from synthetic hair, therefore we have more freedom when it comes to washing and styling them.
Washing your wig is crucial not just for hygienic reasons but also to prolong the lifespan of your beautiful tresses when done correctly. It literally only takes 5 simple steps:
Step 01: Prep your lace front wig
Begin with detangling your wig. You will need a wide-tooth comb to comb through your wig. Start from the bottom then work your way up to the roots of the lace wig.
Step 02: Pre-Rinse
Now we need to get our beautiful wig wet. You can either fill a basin or simply place it under the faucet. Make sure that the water is either cold or lukewarm before you submerge your wig. Do not use hot water! Once you have rinsed your wig, use your hands to remove the excess water, gently. Avoid wringing or twisting your wig.
Step 03: Shampoo your wig
Pour a small amount of your wig-friendly shampoo into your hands. Stroke the hair starting from the roots to the ends. Be sure to keep the shampoo off the scalp of the wig. Be gentle and do not use too much shampoo.
Try to avoid rubbing or scrubbing your wig, this may harm the strands. Once you have rinsed the shampoo out (see Step 1), take a clean towel, and gently blot the hair. This will not dry the wig, we just want to get rid of the excess water.
An alternative to this method is to fill a basin with water before turning your wig cap inside-out gently. Then place your wig in the basin, make sure it is submerged then pour a small amount of shampoo in the water. Swirl your wig around gently to ensure that the shampoo is evenly distributed.
Following this, you need to soak the wig for 5 minutes, do not continue to swirl the wig, we do not want to cause the strands to get tangled. This method will allow the shampoo to get to the wig cap, which can be the source of most of the build-up of oils and sweat.
Step 04: Apply Conditioner
I recommend you use a hydrating conditioner that is wig-approved. Pour a small amount of your conditioner in your hands and apply it onto your wig by stroking the hair strands, starting from the bottom. You can even use your fingers to comb it gently. Again, be sure to keep the conditioner away from the scalp of your lace wig.
Let the conditioner sit for a few minutes. You can follow the bottle instructions regarding how long to do this for, I recommend a maximum of 5 minutes. Then rinse the conditioner out (see Step 1). Following this, blot the hair dry using a clean dry towel.
Want to learn more about the best products to use on your wig? Check out our article here.
Step 05: Dry your wig
Now that your wig is clean and you have gently blotted it dry with a clean towel. Put your wig on a wig stand (if you do not have a wig stand you can drape your wig over anything that resembles a wig stand).
Your natural lace front wig needs to air dry. Do not use a blow dryer. Also, avoid combing or brushing your wig until it is completely dry. When your beautiful human hair wig is dry, you are free to style it as you please.
How Often You Should Wash Your Wig?
Choosing how regularly to wash your wig is a personal choice, it really depends on how often you choose to wear it. Washing your wig too often can shorten its lifespan, but washing your hair too infrequently can cause the hair strands to get tangled.
Hairstylists recommend washing your human hair wig at least once a week or once every two weeks. A good indicator of when to wash your wig is when the hair starts to feel dry or tacky and starts to lose its volume or curls. Stick to wig-friendly clarifying shampoos when washing your human hair wig and follow up with a conditioner straight after.
Luckily for us, our human hair wigs do not need to be washed as regularly as we wash our natural hair. So if you don’t wear your wig often then a general rule of thumb is to wait to wash it after every 5 to 10 wears.
How To Style Your Lace Front Wig?
You can style your wig using either a wig brush or a wide-tooth comb. I recommend using a wig brush if your natural lace front wig is wavy or straight and using a wide-tooth comb if your wig is curly in order to preserve the curls.
Lace front wigs made from human hair can be styled almost exactly as your natural hair can. The only difference is that they can’t be styled in high ponytails or parted anywhere without a lot of manipulation. That said, when heat styling, always use a heat protectant on your wig and stick to wig-friendly combs and brushes.
Do not use a brush that is made for your actual natural hair, the bristles will be too harsh for the hair on the wig, it may cause strands to fall off more than usual.
If you decide to use a curling iron, hair straightener, or even a blow dryer to help you achieve the style you want, make sure that it is on a low heat setting. Using hair appliances on high heat to style your natural lace front wig will shorten its lifespan considerably.
How To Prolong The Lifespan Of Your Wig?
The more care and gentleness you put into your styling and washing routines, the longer your human hair wig will last.
The most effective way to prolong your human hair wig’s lifespan is to ensure that you always cover it with a satin bonnet or silk scarf when sleeping with it on. When you are not wearing your wig, please keep it on a wig stand or a similar object. This will maintain your wig’s structure and also prevent your wig from tangling.
Here are a few hacks to increase the lifespan of your wig:
- Avoid using hot water when washing your wig. Also, try to minimize getting your wig wet in saltwater or chlorine. I know you want to slay with your beautiful wig at the beach or in the pool, but try to decrease how often you do this in order to prevent any damage to the hair strands.
- Pay attention to the styling tools and products that you use on your wig, read the back of the packaging to see if it is wig friendly. There are products made specifically for styling human hair wigs, but if you want to avoid spending extra money just ask your hairdresser which of the products you already have can also be used on your wigs. When in doubt, always ask an expert.
Lace wigs are awesome, right? But are they the best? Check out our article here to learn more about these wigs and what they have to offer.
Related Questions
Can I wash my natural lace front wig before wearing it?
If you feel more comfortable washing your new lace front wig before you wear it, that is totally your prerogative. That being said, it is important to remember that each time we wash our human hair wigs, we are shortening their lifespan, unfortunately. Though if we use the proper wash and care methods then we can counteract some of this. A good tip for washing your new wig before you wear it is to give it a rinse instead of a full shampoo and condition.