Human hair wigs are the standard for artificial hair when you want that natural look and feel. It is no wonder that millions of people all over the world are always buying them. As a matter of fact, statistics show that in 2021, the human hair industry topped other industries with over 60% in revenue share. This is because human hair wigs provide their wearers with so many benefits. In this article, I will be discussing these benefits. I will also discuss why you should take care of your wigs. Furthermore, I will be showing you how to take care of wigs. So, keep reading.

Benefits of Human Hair Wigs

1. They Give Off A Natural Appearance

As mentioned above, human hair wigs are the standard when you want a natural appearance. Whether as a full covering or extensions, they blend in well with your natural hair.

2. They Are Versatile

Human hair wigs give you so many styling options. You can cut, straighten, dye or curl them. You can also put them in buns, ponytails, bangs, braids, etc.

3. They Are A Cover For Hair Problems

There are different medical conditions that can cause hair problems. They include Alopecia, trichotillomania, scalp psoriasis, fungal infections, postpartum problems, and others. This can lead to hair breakage, bald spots, itching and redness, dryness, hair loss, and stunted growth, among others. If you’re a sufferer of one of these conditions, you can wear human hair wigs while you treat them. They will give you a more realistic look than synthetic hair wigs.

4. They Are An Alternative Styling Option

Sometimes, due to a busy schedule, you may not have the time to do your natural hair. Or you may just be lazy about it (no worries, it happens to all of us). Here is where your human hair wig comes to the rescue. Simply put your natural hair in 4 or 5 braids and pop on your wig. They are the perfect alternative option when you want to take a break from styling your natural hair.

5. They Are For Protective Styling

Human hair wigs help to protect your natural hair from the following: Hair damage can come as a result of high manipulation or poor styling options.

Dirt which is a result of exposure to pollutants.
Harsh weather conditions like extreme sunlight, dry wind, etc. These can cause your natural hair to lose moisture, leaving it dry and brittle.

6. They Are Eco-friendly

Human hair wigs are eco-friendly in many ways. First of all, their sources are humans which means they don’t require chemicals to produce. As you may know, using chemicals can be harmful to the wearer and the environment when emitted. Secondly, they can be reused for a long period. This helps to reduce waste as they don’t easily decompose. Thirdly, they are hand-made and this helps in reducing high-energy processes in manufacturing. In all, they do not harm the environment.

Why Should You Care for Your Wigs？

1. For Longevity

When you take proper care of your wigs, they can last for months and even years.

2. For Improved Appearance

Proper cleaning, conditioning and moisturizing can make your wig a better appearance. Your wig will have a healthy bounce and shine. It will also look more natural and have a healthy texture.

3. To Prevent Odor

When you don’t take proper care of your wigs, they can become smelly over time due to sweat and dirt. This can be uncomfortable to you and embarrassing when you’re with others. Regular wig care helps to prevent foul smell of your wig.

4. To Save You Money

When your wig loses its quality, you may have to replace it. However, if you take care of your wig often, you may not need to spend money on getting a new one often.

5. To Reduce Tangles and Matting

Taking proper care of your wig can help to reduce tangling and matting. This makes it easier to brush and style.

6. To Protect From Damage

When you take proper care of your wig, you help protect it from damage. These include harsh weather conditions like the sun and wind.

7. To Reduce Shedding

When you properly take detangle your wig, it can reduce shedding. Instead, your wig retains its full look.

How To Care For Human Hair Wig

A good hair care regimen is necessary if you want your wig to last long and retain a healthy look. I will be sharing with you the steps on how to take care of a wig.

Straight Wig Hair Care

Here is how to care for your straight-hair wig:

Hair Tools/Products Needed

Wide-tooth comb
Shampoo
Conditioner
A clean towel
Blow dryer (optional)
Hair straightener

In this YouTube video, Chi Zoba shows how she washes her straight human hair wig:

1. Wash It

Before washing, make sure to first comb out all the knots and tangles with a wide-tooth comb. If you don’t do this, your wig will matt during the washing process. Hold your wig in an upright position; this will ensure it doesn’t get tangled when you’re washing. After that, run warm water through it. These are the reasons you should use warm water and not hot or cold water:

Warm Water	Hot Water	Cold Water
Gentle and will not harm the hair.	Can damage the hair, causing the strands to become weak. It can also cause the hair to lose its texture and curl patterns.	Can cause the hair to matt and tangle while washing.
Is safe for your hands.	Can burn your hands.	Can be uncomfortable for your hands.
Prevents shrinkage and allows the hair maintains its natural oil.	Can make the hair brittle and cause shrinkage.	Doesn’t effectively remove dirt and build-ups.

Now that you know this, let’s continue the washing process:

Wash with mild shampoo to get rid of accumulated dirt from glue, sweat and product build-up.

Wash several times until the water is almost clear as in the GIFs above.

2. Condition and Comb

Next, apply a generous amount of your conditioner to the damp wig.

Then with your wide-tooth comb, gently comb the hair. This will help to get rid of tangles and knots.

3. Put it In A Plastic Bag

After combing, do not rinse out. Instead, tie your wig in a plastic bag. This will help it to condition properly. Let it sit for about an hour and then bring it out.

After that, you thoroughly rinse out with water.

4. Dry The Wig

After that, towel-dry the wig. You can also use a blow dryer after this or leave it to air-dry.

5. Straighten the Wig

Finally, place it on your mannequin head and straighten it with your hair straightener.

How to Care For Your Curly Wig

Xoxoshanta shows us how she washes her curly wig and maintains the curls:

Hair Tools/Products You’ll Need

Shampoo
Conditioner
Leave-in conditioner
Toothbrush
Paddle brush

1. Shampoo the Wig

Add your shampoo to warm water and put your wig in it.

Then use your toothbrush to gently scrub the dirt off the lace. When you’re done, rinse off the shampoo with clean water.

2. Condition the Wig

After shampooing, the next thing to do is condition. Here, you will want to use cool water because it seals the hair cuticles. It also reduces frizz, improves hair shine and maintains its texture.

Leave to soak for 5 minutes or up to 15 minutes if you like. When the time is up, take it out and rinse off the conditioner.

3. Apply the Leave-in Conditioner

Spray on some leave-in conditioner on the wig. This will help to soften it for detangling.

4. Detangle

Use your paddle brush to gently brush through the hair. This will help take out the knots and tangles.

5. Dry the Hair

Leave your human hair wig to dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I wash my wig？

This depends on how often you wear it. If you wear it all week, then you should wash the wig every two weeks.

Can I comb my wig when it’s wet？

No, do not comb wet hair. This is because it is at its weakest and can break when you do so. It can also get tangled. So, let it be damp first before combing.

How do I store my wig？

When not in use, keep your wig on a wig stand or a mannequin head. Make sure it is in a cool dry place. This is because direct sunlight can cause fading and discoloration of the wig’s fibres.

Can I swim with my wig？

It is best to wear a shower cap while swimming with your wig. This will keep the chlorine and salt in the water from getting to it.

Can I sleep with my wig on？

No, if you do, it will get all tangled.

Can I use heat styling tools on my wig？

Yes, you can use tools like curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers on your wig. Still, remember these wigs are made out of natural human hair. Prolonged use of heat-styling tools on them can cause them to experience damage.