How to Wash a Human Hair Wig

It is important to properly care for your human hair wig in order to achieve maximum lifespan and the best appearance. Maintaining and washing your human hair wig is not difficult; it just requires attention and gentle care. Most human hair wigs are made with hair that has been dyed and chemically processed in order to remove the cuticle. Human hair wigs must be handled gently as these processed make the hair more fragile. Although Remy human hair retains the hair cuticle, it is still more delicate than unprocessed hair.

This guide will cover how to properly wash, condition and style your human hair wig as well as helpful tips and pointers for maintaining your natural hair wig. For information on caring for synthetic wigs, see our Synthetic Wig Care Guide.

Hair Care Products for Human Hair Wigs

Use only hair care products designed for human hair wigs. Do not use standard hair care products from the drugstore. The chemicals they contain can decrease the lifespan of your wig. Invest in quality products to maintain your wig. Here are a few of our favorite products:

Jon Renau Argan Smooth Shampoo
Jon Renau Argan Smooth Conditioner
Jon Renau 3 Way Hairspray for Human Hair
Jon Renau Argan Treatment Mist
Jon Renau Heat Treat Thermal Spray
Portable Wig Stand
Cardani Wig Pick
Cardani Wig Lift Comb

products specifically made for human hair wigs

How Often To Wash Your Human Hair Wig:

It is recommended to wash your human hair wig every 7-14 days of wear. Each time your hairpiece is washed, the lifespan of your wig is shortened. For this reason, the wig should not be washed more than is necessary. Using as few styling products as possible on your wig will allow you to wash it less often and extend its life. Wearing a wig cap underneath will also extend the life of your wig. The wig cap will help absorb scalp oils, keeping them away from the base of the cap.

How to Wash Your Human Hair Wig:

Before washing your wig, gently comb it out, removing all tangles. Start at the tips of the hair and work your way up to the base of the cap. Make sure that you are only using a comb designed for wigs. For stubborn tangles, applying a spray conditioner can help loosen them.

To shampoo your wig, many salons recommend submersing your human hair wig in a basin of water with a small amount of shampoo. We do not recommend doing so as it can tangle the wig, making it highly unmanageable. To wash your human hair wig, start by getting it wet under running water. To do so, you can hold the wig under the faucet from your sink (but only if the hair is short). For longer wigs, we recommend holding the wig under the faucet of your bathtub or shower so that the hair does not get tangled in the basin below.

Let cool water flow over the hair from the base to the tips until it is wet. Gently squeeze (do not wring or twist) to remove excess water. Apply a small amount of human hair wig shampoo to the palms of your hands and apply evenly over the hairpiece. Do not twist, rub or massage. Simply smooth the shampoo on the wig from the base to the tips of the hair. Using cool water, gently rinse all shampoo from the hair, allowing the water to flow over the hair from the base to the tips. Do not rub, wring or twist. Gently rinse until all shampoo has been removed. Lightly squeeze excess water from the hair (do not rub or wring). Blot hair gently with a towel to remove excess water before conditioning.

How to Condition Your Human Hair Wig:

While the hair is still wet, spread a small amount of human hair wig conditioner into the palm of your hands and work evenly into the hair. Avoid application of conditioner to the base of the wig as it can loosen the knots on the cap, causing hair loss to your hair piece. Leave the conditioner in the hair for 3-5 minutes. While the hair is wet and saturated with your wig conditioner, very gently detangle the wig, starting at the tips of the hair and working your way up. Your fingertips are the most gentle, but a wide toothed wig comb can also be gently used. Be gentle and do not stretch the hair. Thoroughly rinse the conditioner from the hair under cool running water. Gently squeeze excess water from the wig (do not rub or wring) and lightly blot hair with a towel (do not twist or wring). If you choose, you may apply a small amount of argan oil treatment throughout the hair to add vibrancy, moisture and protection to the hair.

Drying & Styling Your Human Hair Wig:

It is best to allow your human hair wig to air dry on a wig stand as this is most gentle on the hair fibers. Rollers can be used to set the wig. A warm sitting hair dryer can be used to dry the hair although air drying is the most gentle option. After the hair is dry, heated styling tools such as curling irons and flat irons can be used. Use styling products (such as hair spray) that are specifically designed for human hair wigs. Use products sparingly for the longest life span of your wig.

styling tools to help style your human hair wig

Human Hair Wig Care Tips:

Store your wig on a wig stand or form that is smaller than the base of the cap to prevent the cap from stretching.

Direct sunlight will fade the hair so avoid storing your wig where it will be exposed to light.

Do not wear your hairpiece while sleeping. It may result in hair loss, breakage and matting.

Lighter hair colors are more delicate than darker colors because additional processing is needed to achieve the light colors.

Over time, your wig will lose hair. This is a natural part of the life cycle of your wig.

Avoid contact with chlorinated water, sea water and hot water to avoid damage to your wig.
Wearing sun hats while outdoors can help protect your wig from UV rays.
Rain hats can help maintain the style of your wig while outdoors during precipitation.

Can My Human Hair Wig Be Dyed or Colored?

Synthetic wigs cannot absorb color but some human hair wigs can. Human hair wigs undergo a lot of processing when being made, which can make coloring a challenge. Most human hair wigs are made from Asian hair. The processing used to transform the hair means that the hair will not take color easily. Human hair wigs made from European hair will accept color better because they undergo less processing, but it is still a very tricky process.

If you choose to try to color your wig, be sure to go ot a professional colorist who has experience with human hair wigs. Also be advised that coloring your wig can cause the fibers to break down faster due to the additional processing on already highly processed hair. This can shorten the lifespan of your wig.

Some human hair wigs are dyed with textile dyes. If your wig has been treated in this way during processing, your wig should not be colored. If you would like dye your human hair wig, please contact us for assistance on which of our wigs will accept additional processing.

We do offer wig sin a wide variety of colors, including highlighted and lowlighted shades to help you avoid the need to color your wig. We also offer free wig consultations with our certified wig specialist who can color match your wig style to a swatch of your hair or a photo.