5 Steps to Untangle a Synthetic Wig

5 Steps to Untangle a Synthetic Wig

lizzie

In the last few years, I’ve started to get braver about wearing longer wigs. I used to stick to short crops because I didn’t think I’d be very good at looking after longer ones. Short wigs have their own challenges – frizzing at the nape for example – but it’s true to say that they’re generally easier to look after. Longer wigs tend to get tangled, and that can lead to early frizzing*.

I thought it might be useful to share what I’ve learned, remembering these 5 stages below, to ensure you get tangle-free wigs – synthetic or human hair:

  1. Untangle using the right brush/comb.
  2. The correct wig care products are needed.
  3. Steaming not straightening.
  4. Wash your wig properly and with care.
  5. Trim ends carefully and as a last resort.

For a more detailed description of each of these steps and some handy hints and tips from a seasoned wig wearer, please read on…

Best ways to untangle synthetic wigs:

  1. Use the right tools

untangle-synthetic-wig Not all brushes and combs that are suitable for natural/bio hair are suitable for wigs. The different wig manufacturers recommend (and often can supply) combs that they think will avoid damaging their wig fibre. Different manufacturers use different fibre, so they’ve come up with different recommendations. For example, Jon Renau recommends using a wide-toothed plastic comb, while other brands recommend rubber-tipped metal prongs. For help on how to choose the best wig brush, please see our previous post.

My personal experience has been that the Jon Renau comb, whilst beautifully blunt and therefore not damaging, just can’t untangle the finer knots that you get after a day wearing a long wig. So I use it as much as possible, and then you could use a wooden wig brush – very gently – to deal with the fine knots.

  1. Use the right products

It’s not ideal to use normal shampoo and conditioner on your synthetic wigs. And certainly don’t use washing up liquid, washing machine liquid, fabric conditioner etc. other than in dire need! There are shampoos and conditioners that are specifically formulated for synthetic wig fibre. This because synthetic hair is very different from bio hair in terms of things like porosity, and therefore the mechanisms by which it can be weakened or strengthened need to be taken into account with the products you use. I’ve always liked the Gisela Mayer wig shampoo and balsam (aka conditioner), but as I’ve got a Dimples wig at the moment I’m trying their shampoo and conditioner, which seem good so far.

The same applies to styling products – normal hairspray is a no-no. You can get synthetic wig-safe gel and hairspray and it’s much better for the fibre to use that.

There are also some products specifically designed to protect and enhance synthetic fibre, and to help the fibres glide across one another rather than start to frizz. Ellen Wille Hair Tip Liquid is a favourite among lots of us, and I also rate Jon Renau Wig Lustre, Jon Renau Detangling spray, and Dimples Wig Gel spray. Having absorbed all the dire warnings about never brushing your wig when it’s just been washed and is still wet (seriously, don’t do it, it stretches the fibres and pulls the knots at the base, leading to fibre shedding), I’ve always combed or brushed completely dry wigs.

The Jon Renau Detangling spray and the Dimples Hair Oil spray both serve a similar purpose – you spray a light mist onto dry fibres before you start detangling. It really does help without doing any damage, and it conditions the fibres too. These products have been a bit of a revelation to me and are now on my ‘must-have’ list.

  1. Steaming

So, you’ve used the right brushes and products, and your wig has stayed in good condition for a few months, but eventually, all wigs do frizz. You’ll be able to manage it for a while but eventually, it’ll get too bad to carry on wearing your wig. What to do? Well, you can try steaming it. This involves heat, which as we know, can damage wigs, but used in a carefully controlled way it can straighten out the kinks in the fibres that cause frizz.

Personally, I only tried this for the first time on an old wig when I already had a new one available to me, in case I made a mess of it and finished the old wig off completely! But it’s actually quite easy, and Lila made a great demo video a little while ago to show you how to do it. If you don’t want your wig to be poker straight after steaming there are some tricks you can use to get a bit of wave back in, and if people are interested, I’ll do a demo video of that – let me know in the comments if that would be useful.

  1. Wash your wig properly

On order to achieve tangle-free wigs, sometimes all that is needed is a good wash of your wig! Overall, your wig should ideally be washed once a week, with products specifically designed for wig washing. Be sure to use cool water when washing too, to avoid any damage. For a step by step guide on how to wash a synthetic wig, then check out our previously created guide.

  1. Trimming

I know, I know, it feels risky to take the scissors to your favourite wig! And it is a bit of a last resort. But if you want to keep it going a bit longer and you can bear to lose a couple of inches of length, why not give it a trim, or ask a hairdresser to do so?

I also used to do this with the fibre at the nape of short wigs – I could usually get an extra month or two out of them by trimming off the worst of the frizz at the tips. With a longer wig, the potential gains are even greater, and you could go an inch shorter every month for a while to increase your wig’s longevity.

*Frizzing – For those who are new to wigs, frizz is different from tangling. It happens when the ends of the wig fibres get kinked and damaged (a bit like split ends, except more like bent ends if you can picture that?!), and then they start to clump together. It’s kind of like Velcro – one fibre grabs on to the next and so on. All wigs do frizz eventually, but it’s worth trying to stave it off as long as possible.

What do you do to keep your wigs tangle and frizz-free for as long as possible? Let me know about your favourite tips and tricks in the comments!


Comments

25 thoughts on “5 Steps to Untangle a Synthetic Wig

  1. I use synthetic short wigs and I have no problem with frizz on the nape, mine is always on the front, the bangs and part start to get gummed up and frizzy. I have gone through so many wigs, they usually only last maybe 2months. I have been buying Raquel Welch wigs, maybe I should buy something else but I just don’t know what-thanks-mindy

  2. Anne / Jayne are you aware your gp can refer you to detmrmatology who can give you a prescription for up to 2 wigs every other year … value of prescription will depend on your type of alopecia. Not a total solution but may help.

  3. I’m totally with you Anne on all points. Don’t know where to start. What minefield. Been looking at buying a wig for 2 plus years as my hair is thinning by the day but can’t believe that people pay many hundreds of pounds for their wigs in some cases if they only last for a few months!

  4. I think I am frightened off from having either type of wig. I can’t afford to get it wrong when I am forced to having one. I am still not sure which way to go. Synthetic versus Real! I am in total conflict. I certainly cannot afford to be replacing every six months. I am going to have to hold off for a while yet. I was thinking once I got one that would be it for a while. Scared rigid would describe it best.

  5. Hi, so I know this is an older post but I’m sure people are still needing advice for their wigs and what I’ve found to work, even though you advised against natural hair products for synthetics, is ‘big sexy hair’ blow-dry volumizing gel. It comes in a translucent red bottle with a pump. I use it on my [dry] wig and finger it through the whole entire wig and it works wonders for detangling AND frizzing it’s like a miracle gel! Please ladies put the scissors and steamers down and try this first no dispespect to you OP your tips are great and I thank you for sharing and now you can add another tip to your post ?.

  6. Most synthetic wigs these days are heat resistant and can be ironed or curled with your heated tool under 200 degrees.

    I straighten my wig every night after everyday wear with a clothes steamer
    Even when I’ve purchased a wig and didn’t find it smooth enough all I use is a clothes steamer which makes it super smooth.Hair iron or hair steam iron doesn’t do a good job.Its useless.
    Lately I’ve discovered also after styling your wig smooth it with hair serum or smooth spray which will leave your wig even more super soft and will stop it from detagling less.

    Also if You don’t like your curly synthetic wig,and want it straight ,pour boiling water on it and that will turn your wig straight permanently followed by the above instructions for smoothing.

    Synthetic wigs can last longer than 6 months depending on density or how much they shed.Also spray your wig inside out with hair spray to stop shedding.

    I’ve had to purchase several wigs to find one that I’m happy with for style & quality

  7. I had very tangled ends on my wig, It felt and looked awful. Tried everything and eventually use the steam from a kettle and voila. All smooth again. Steam iron didn’t work for me.

  8. Hello Susie,

    Many thanks for your recent post re perfumed shampoo etc. I will definitely give your suggestions a try.

    Dee Dee

  9. Steaming is a great option to use on straight wigs or the nape of any length wig to soften the frizz effect.
    Great info from everyone and yes Lizzie I’d be very interested in any tips on how to get some wave/curl back into a more tousled wig.
    Denise x

  10. Great article that allows us to learn to keep and use our wigs in better condition for longer.
    I usually use wigs with ripples or curls and I would like to know how you can improve on the subject of frizze. Can steam be used with them and achieve an improved appearance?
    Thank you very much and congratulations for your articles

  11. Hi Diane,

    I haven’t experienced this yet as I’m indoors mainly with my health problems. I’m aware that heat sources are not good for the synthetic hair though so it follows through that the sun will damage it too I guess (remembering all the bleached curtains from the sun).

  12. I think that’s a fantastic idea that I’m going to try when my oldest Amore Stevie looks tired.
    Many thanks.

  13. Hi Dee Dee,

    II feel the same as you & don’t like some of those perfumes too. I generally use a very good quality shampoo & conditioner on my long wigs. Mine are by Phillip Kingsley & are gentle & don’t have the strong scent. Some of the range are really gentle as they are for problem real hair but I’ve always found my synthetic wigs feel good after use. I know they’re expensive but they last & last & you only need a tiny amount each wash.

  14. Thanks for your article with all the useful tips. I have worn long wigs since January after my real hair replacement system caused me to have scalp problems. I tend to wear Amore wigs as I find them very natural to look at & the fibre is excellent quality.

    I’ve found that washing my wigs after 2 weeks wear is the best thing to keep them good. I use a very good quality shampoo & conditioner. I rinse after washing & then soak in a bowl of tepid water for 5 mins with the conditioner swooshed through it. I don’t rinse again. I then let the wig drip dry before brushing it through.

    I use a really good human hair brush which has tipped metal bristles & is absolutely fantastic for removing knots with ease. Again I think the brush needs to be top quality so it also removes the fluff that seems to build up in a synthetic wig from static. Each night I religiously brush through the wig I’ve been wearing to remove all knots but I do this after spraying first with a wig conditioner or more often a fibre oil spray. Then I place the wig on a wig stand to dry overnight & in the morning it looks & feels really lovely.

    So far my original 2 wigs (Amore Madelyn & Amore Stevie) have lasted me right from the beginning of January & are worn every day. They still look brilliant & I too will steam them through once they become really tired looking as I think it’s worth a try. Trimming the end if they split too is a really good idea too.

  15. I would love to know if anyone can recommend products for wigs that are perfume free.
    I find the smells of the shampoos etc offensive and are counterproductive to any perfumes I may use.

    Dee dee

  16. I would love to hear your views and other wig wearers views on how the sun can bleach out the colour on areas of a synthetic wig. During the very hot and intensely sunny weather here in London for several months I think that is what has happened to the top area of my wonderful Cool Look wig by Annica Hansen in Tobacco Rooted. I use a sun umbrella when possible. But the wig’s colour definitely appears to have suffered sun damage. Is there a spray or conditioner that can prevent colour damage by the sun – and other types of sun damage?

  17. Instead of steaming with a garment steamer, I found it easier to use a hot air styling brush after spraying the wig with water and combing through to make sure it’s evenly dampened. I use my hand to judge the heat, and can also do a bit of shaping at the same time.

  18. I would love an article on how to use wig tape on a synthetic wig, best type etc and how / what to use to remove the tape from the lace front?.? I used to use alcohol to remove wig tape from my human hair wigs but worried this would damage synthetic / lace front ones?

  19. I do wish I could master steaming, it always just seems to wet it and do nothing more! Great tips though, thankyou!

  20. I would be very interested in a video on how to go about trimming neckline hair that has frizzed on short hair wigs. I find Lizzie’s advice very helpful. It’s the scissor technique that I would love to see.

  21. Thanks so much Lizzie for all the helpful advice! I too have always stuck to cropped wigs, being older they suit me better. I also prefer a wavy, messy look.
    I have a couple of old wigs but wonder whether the steaming method would be suitable for them as I don’t want to straighten them.
    Like you, I do trim my wigs from time to time and it really ‘wakes them up!’ Thank you so much for all the useful tips.
    Andria

  22. Thank you for your article. Although I already use a lot of your ideas it was good to hear I’m doing the right things.
    In your next article could you please advise what to do with an old wig which is now a bit shapeless, has the frizz and dull lustre and is really past it’s sell by date. Do I bin it?

  23. I found a little fabric conditioner great for synthetic wig if you’ve run out of your usual wig conditioner! It’s also great for dulling shiny synthetic wigs !


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