You may know what you need to do to wash and style your wig–but do you know what NOT to do? Expand the lifespan of your wig by treating it right.
By Chany Leitner
Some of my customers in my salon asked me to teach a one day class where they can learn how to do a basic wash and set on their wigs in between wig appointments. Since I was already training students on becoming professional wig stylists, I thought, “Why not help my clients and teach them this skill too?”
So, I set a date and time and tried to simplify my lesson so that it can be attainable. I tried to squeeze in all the information they needed to know into that one day class.
Well, the techniques were attainable and they did learn everything they needed to know. But what happened next?
When they came home, a lot of the crucial information they learned was forgotten. This is very common. Even when I attend training, it’s hard to remember all the details. It’s easier to remember when you learn different techniques in increments, but this is to costly for someone who isn’t planning on becoming a professional.
I created the website, ChanyLeitner.com, to provide training for the Do-It-Yourselfers so they can learn, at their own pace, in a simplified way. And the videos are there for them so they won’t “forget” the crucial details either. DIYers can get all the training they’d get in a one-day course at a reasonable price, and learn at their own pace.
Of course, every professional stylist is careful to avoid the mistakes that can damage their client’s wigs. When you’re washing and styling a wig yourself, you should keep these 6 mistakes in mind too so you don’t damage your own wig.
- Don’t brush aggressively. When you’re brushing either before or after washing, be careful when you’re brushing. The hair won’t grow back. It’s not just about brushing gently. Start from the bottom and work your way up, slowly untangling the knots.
- Don’t put conditioner on the cap. When you put conditioner on a lace cap, it causes hair to go into the “multi area.” This is the top/cap area. Then, it causes hair to create a “pillow” in the scalp area and make a bump.
- Don’t leave your hair to dry wrapped in a towel. This will cause wefts (the rows of hair that are sewn in) to loosen and shed. You can wipe it with a towel and then let air dry instead.
- Don’t wring the wig. This will stretch the net and then it won’t fit you properly.
- Don’t burn the wig with the blow dryer. You want to keep your wig looking healthy and shiny. For good results it’s important that you position the blow dryer properly. Blowing in the wrong direction or blowing directly on the scalp area can cause hair to burn.
- Don’t use the wrong products. It’s important to use the right type of shampoo or the right type of conditioner on color-treated hair. Even some professional stylist are not aware that the products used in caring for a wig can preserve the life of the color of your wig. A human head gives off oil which protects the hair color. We don’t have that advantage when wearing a wig and that’s why it’s so important to know what to use when caring for your wig. The products need to be able to protect the color.
In my videos, it may look like I’m teaching easy techniques for caring for your wigs–but as much as I teach what to do–I’m most careful about teaching my students what to avoid. I’ve seen many of my students and professional stylists making these mistakes even after they learned the right techniques. When you avoid these, you’ll get better results and a wig with a longer lifespan.
My mission in teaching these techniques to the everyday woman is so that she can wear her wig more often–not only when she’s out–but when she’s home, so that she can look put together for her husband without having to worry about ruining or wearing out her wig.
When you look good, you feel great and perform even better !