Title: 
Caring For Your Wigs

Word Count:
797

Summary:
No matter how like real hair a wig appears to be, its appearance can quickly deteriorate if it is not cared for properly.  Just like real hair, a wig needs to be maintained to keep it in good shape.


Keywords:
wigs, hairpieces, toupees


Article Body:
There are a number of reasons why people use wigs.  Some men use wigs to cover a bald spot or a receding hairline that resulted from hereditary premature balding.  Some women use wigs so they can wear outrageous hairstyles and hair colors without subjecting their real hair to the risk of damage that such styling can cause.  Some women, on the other hand, resort to wearing wigs to restore their confidence after losing their hair while undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy.

A wig can be made of either real human hair or synthetic hair.  A wig that is created by an excellent wigmaker can appear as real as the hair that grew naturally on the wig-wearer’s head.  No matter how like real hair a wig appears to be, its appearance can quickly deteriorate if it is not cared for properly.  Just like real hair, a wig needs to be maintained to keep it in good shape.

Washing is essential to the maintenance of wigs.  A wig must be washed after being worn around six or eight times if its wearer lives in a place where the climate is hot and humid.  If the wearer lives in cooler climes, it is perfectly all right to wash the wig being used around 12 to 15 times.  However, if the wearer is active athletically, does a lot of wig styling, or is often exposed to dust and dirt, the wig should then be washed at least once a week.

To wash a wig, cold water and wig shampoo should be used.  In the absence of wig shampoo, gentle baby shampoo will do.  A wig should never be subjected to harsh cleaning chemicals and detergent.  Before washing, the wig should be shaken out or fluffed out gently.  The shampoo is then applied to a basin of cold water; a capful or a teaspoonful of shampoo is enough.  The wig is then left to soak in this mixture for around two to five minutes.

When the time is up, the wig is then rinsed in cold water.  The wig should merely be shaken or swirled in the water, never scrunched or twisted while wet.  When all the shampoo is rinsed out, the excess water may be gently squeezed out of the wig, but without twisting it.  For best results in wig washing, wig conditioner may be applied to the wig.  Afterwards, the process of rinsing it in cold water is repeated.

To dry a wig effectively, the excess water should be blotted out with a towel, and then the wig should be left to dry on a separate towel or placed on a wig stand made of wire.  The wig should be air-dried.  A blow dryer should never be applied to a wig, and the wig should not be exposed to direct sunlight or direct heat as well.  Exposing a wig to any source of heat is always the quickest way to ruin it.

After the wig has become dry, it can then be styled using a wig comb or a wig brush, or even with just the fingertips.  To create curls on a wig, liquid mousse specially formulated for wigs may be applied to the wig, and then the strands of the wig are gently twisted and scrunched to make them curl.  To leave a wig’s locks straight and smooth, applying liquid wig mousse and brushing it lightly is enough.

A wig can be cut and styled as its wearer sees fit.  However, to get the cutting done properly, the wig should be taken to a professional wig stylist. A professional wig stylist should be able to customize the wig for its wearer.

Storing the wig is also crucial in maintaining its condition and quality.  To store a wig properly, it must be placed on a wig stand.  Placing a wig on a wig stand will help the wig retain its shape and form.  Before it is stored away, however, the wig should be brushed or fluffed out using a wig comb or a brush made with wire.

After the wig is placed on its stand, it should then be covered with a hairnet.  The hairnet is supposed to protect the wig from dirt and dust.  The wig on the wig stand should always be kept in a place that is far away from heat and humidity, as well as free from dust.  Protecting the wig from dust will prevent its wearer from getting allergies.

There are many reasons why people wear wigs.  No matter what these reasons are, however, the important thing is that wigs should be taken care of properly, just as if they are the wearer’s real hair.  A wig that is maintained properly for always will remain looking beautiful for a prolonged period of time.