How to Care for Both Human and Synthetic Wigs

For those who utilize wigs or hair pieces of any kind, both human hair and forms of synthetic hair are viable options you might consider depending on your needs. These will naturally come with some differing needs when it comes to care and cleanliness, and knowing the proper approach for whichever variety you go with is important. 

At Judi's Wigs, we're thrilled to not only provide clients with a wide range of the very best wigs in Oklahoma, but also to assist with wig care and many related areas. How do synthetic and human hair differ, and how should you go about caring for each of them? Here's a look at both these types.

Synthetic Vs Human Wig Hair

As their names indicate, synthetic wigs are made from man-made fibers in the form of plastic, silicon, or some other synthetic polymer. Human hair wigs, on the other hand, typically come from real human hair that has been either naturally grown or donated to a wig manufacturer.

When it comes to choosing between synthetic and human hair for your wig needs, both have their pros and cons. Synthetic wigs tend to be much less expensive and also require less maintenance, but they also don't look as realistic. On the other hand, human hair wigs offer a more natural appearance and are much easier to style and change lengths, but can cost several times more than synthetic options.

How To Care For Your Synthetic Wig

Let's start with the realm of synthetic hair and how to take care of it. Here are some of the simplest themes to ensure you cover:

Styling: One of the great things about synthetic wigs is their simplicity, which results in the reduced need for restyling.  To wash a synthetic wig simply rinse it with cold water, hang dry and shake it off and the wig is ready to wear when you are. However, you'll still need to avoid heat settings that are too high with some synthetic options (depending on their level of quality), so don't get carried away when you're using heat.

Weather: Another great thing about synthetic wigs is that they can often be used in more extreme weather conditions, including both very hot and very cold. This is much less true with human hair options, which typically need to be removed when going outside in the heat or winter chill.

Washing: There are specific products designed for washing synthetic wigs, but many people mistakenly believe that you can use any shampoo on them. This is not true! Be sure to pick a good wig-specific product that won't damage the fibers.

Combing: One area where there may be some slight limitations on synthetic wigs is within the realm of combing. Specifically, you should not comb synthetic wig hair when it's wet -- rather, allow it to dry and then comb when needed.

Drying: Speaking of drying a synthetic wig, this is one area where the heat-related issues we mentioned above may come into play. We often recommend against blow-drying synthetic wigs, as this can cause more damage than is necessary. However, if you choose to do so, always be sure that the dryer has a cool setting and never give it too much time on any one area of your wig.

Storage: When the wig is not in use, you'll want to store it appropriately. Never simply throw the wig on a shelf or in an open drawer, as this can cause its fibers to misalign and potentially lead to tangles or other issues. The best way is to place your wig on a stand or a box, one that allows it to hold its shape.

How To Care For Human Hair Wigs

Now let's move on to the realm of human hair wigs in Oklahoma. Here are some of the simplest themes to ensure you cover:

Styling and weather: Just like with synthetic wigs, proper styling is important. Your human hair wig can be styled in any way you'd like it to look, and it can also be used in some extreme weather conditions without worry -- though there are certain limitations when it comes to heat, of course.

Washing: Washing a human hair wig tends to be a bit simpler than a synthetic one, mostly because you have a wider range of shampoos and cleaning products to choose from. In addition, the highest-quality human hair wigs typically don't need to be washed much at all.

Combing: Here's another area where a human hair wig has an advantage over some synthetic options. You can fully comb human hair wigs when wet and dry, which helps to reduce tangles.

Drying: Ensure the cap is completely dry.  We recommend using a heat styling protectant like Goldwell, available at Judi’s Wigs.  We also recommend the use of medium heat as low and slow is the name of the game.  The use of anti humidity blockers like the Jon Renau brand we carry offers styling protection that will keep these human hair wigs looking lively and healthy.  Be sure to avoid high heat settings for both drying and styling.  We recommend staying between 250 and 290 F.

Storage: When the wig is not in use, we again recommend placing it on a stand or other support device that allows you to hold its shape while ensuring that it doesn't fall on the ground or in other places that might cause damage.

As you can see, caring for both types of wig is relatively simple and straightforward. Just be sure to examine your specific wig before you use it and determine what care instructions are required -- and then follow them diligently! With this advice, your wig should remain looking great for years to come.

Since Judi’s Wigs is a full service Wig salon, we offer drop-in wash and style services for all your wigs, toppers and other add-on hair pieces.  We also offer top of the line hair pieces care products, such as Bosley, Goldwell, Jon Renau and many more.

For more on this, or to learn about our selection of wigs and hair pieces, speak to our expert staff at Judi's Wigs today.