BY SAMINU MACHUNGA
It’s often said that wigs are to women as hats are to men but lately, it’s not far fetched for a man to own a wig.
People wear wigs for different reasons. For some it’s to hide thinning hair, and for others it’s just a shortcut to avoid month-long commitments to a hairdo.
Wigs give the opportunity to have a different look each day so it is very important to know how to maintain them.
Here are seven tips to maintain a wig in pristine condition.
Tender care
Wigs are different from natural hair – mostly synthetic. Therefore, they need to be cared for in a different way.
Constant washing and styling could spoil the texture of the weave, hence, avoid using shampoo every day.
Washing
Like Goldilocks, not too hot and not too cold. Always wash with lukewarm water.
While washing, avoid scrubbing or turning the wig upside down, as this will result in tangling and potential hair removal.
Place the wig over your hand and allow the water run over the hair in the direction it has been placed, then gently squeeze the shampoo through the wig in the same direction.
Pat dry
If your wig gets wet from the rain and you don’t want to take it off, pat gently to dry the wig and don’t rub with a towel to avoid damage.
Conditioning
Asides preventing tangling and breakage, conditioning helps create soft hair and smooth hair. To keep your wig intact, it is advisable to use a very oily conditioner, like a deep conditioning treatment, before rinsing off.
Natural oil
Always opt for natural oils like argon oil, coconut oil.
Argon oil on wigs is suitable for every hair texture; straight or curly and any length hair as well.
Coconut oil is commonly known to protect the scalp and fight against problems like insect bites, lice, and dandruff. Coconut oil adds luster, shine, and softness to the hair.
Drying
Simply wrap the hair in a towel, and let it sit dry without interfering.
Once it is completely dry, use an oil-free shine spray to prevent it from being dull and dry.
Storage
If you are setting aside a wig for months, wash and condition it before storing it.
Once dry, store it in a box and not a plastic bag that could cause humidity leading to bad odours.