Wigs

Written by Josie, aged 17

Just when you’re getting used to having no hair to care for, style and worry what it looks like in the morning, you remember you’ve got to wash your wig! Well it’s nothing to worry about, it’s just like washing your own hair except you only have to do it every 15 wears!

Equipment

• Your wig
• Warm bowl of water
• Wig shampoo or baby shampoo
• Wig conditioner and/or wig oil
• Wig brush or just a normal hair brush and a thin blunt stick
• A suitable place to hang the wig for drying.
• Wig stand
  

All of this you can buy with the wig or from any wig store.
 
This set of guidelines apply to both prosthetic fibre wigs and ones made from real hair.

1. First take your wig and gently place in the warm water being careful not to mess it up too much.
2. Take the shampoo and squeeze a strawberry-sized amount into your hand, then starting from the top (the bit that would be closest to your scalp when on) smooth on the shampoo following the flow of the hair all the way to the ends. Repeat this until the all of it has been covered. Now rinse. Repeat this once more for longer styles.
3. Now take the conditioner or oil and apply a generous amount to the ends but very little to the base. If using the conditioner apply in a similar way to the shampoo, just smoothing it on from the top down and if using the oil just spray on using the amounts directed above.
4. Using a hair brush, brush the wig and with the other end of the wig brush or a thin blunt stick weave any hair that has gone through to the inside of the cap back out.
5. Next place the wig on a wig stand in the shower or on a shelf with a towel underneath (but just make sure you don’t put it near a radiator or you might end up with an afro!). Alternatively if you don’t have a wig stand place the wig on something that allows the air to flow through it. Give the wig roughly 24 hours to dry and the brush again and you’re ready to look fabulous!!
   

Try and brush your wig after every wear, applying a light layer of oil or conditioner each time. Keep on a stand and with longer styles try and make it so the hair in hanging down. This will keep your wigs original shape and style and will also make sure its lasts.

Tip:

The polystyrene heads that you sometimes get with a wig expand when wet -  brilliant if you're finding your wig a little to tight but not so good if your planning to go on any rollercoasters anytime soon.

Tip:

Don’t try and use a hair dryer to dry your wig if it’s made from prosthetic fibres. It will start to melt and may not look so good anymore!