All BARE wigs are handmade and sewn onto lightweight mesh wig caps; this will help the hair and your scalp to breathe. Much of the care tips for our wigs are similar to our hair care tips.
Taking care of your wig in the same way you would care or maintain your own hair is of great importance. This means that you should not use harsh chemicals and should take deliberate steps to minimize tangling, dry hair, breakage and split ends. Make sure to carefully comb through the hair but do not comb/brush excessively or tug the hair because this will result in increased shedding of the hair. Our extensions which are used to make our wigs are full cuticle, authentic virgin hair and will leave you feeling fabulous and more confident. However, all units are handmade and are constructed to last a long time, only with proper care, handling and maintenance.
Since wigs are made with closures and frontals (lace or silk top) depending on your needs, be especially gentle when brush this part of the wig. For the other sections of the wig, care still needs to be taken when brushing/combing or washing the hair.
Washing Your Wig
Learning how to properly care for your wig, especially more textured wigs such as deep curly or wavy units will allow you to enjoy the unit for a much longer period of time.
Step 1: Do not brush the hair or use a fine tooth comb to detangle the hair when it is wet, because cuticles are mostly vulnerable at this time, and this may result in breakage and shedding. Always use a wide tooth comb or wig brush (cushion brush) to gently comb hair to free it of any tangles; this is especially important for curly and wavy textures. When detangling or brushing the hair, hold the hair at the top of the wig so as to prevent any pulling or friction. This will result in less shedding if any at all.
Step 2: Position your wig on a wig head (if you have one) or hold the wig in an upright position, Always wash the wigs in a downward motion, placing it under the pipe with the hair facing you. Saturate the hair with warm water. Using warm water will open up the cuticles so that they can absorb nutrients from the shampoo, conditioner and/or cleansing conditioner, any of which should be sulfate free and deep moisturizing to cleanse the hair, at least once every two weeks or as needed. Squeeze enough shampoo/cleansing conditioner diluted with water to saturate the hair from root to tip in your palms and gently massage the hair. Repeat to ensure hair is clean. Do not rub the hair during the washing process, as that may cause tangling.
Step 3: Apply a deep conditioner to the wig in the same manner the shampoo was applied and allow it to sit for 5 - 30 minutes, ensuring all strands are covered. Use cool water to rinse the conditioner, thereby closing the cuticles to seal in the moisture and nutrients from the conditioner. Ensure that the conditioner is washed out properly.
Step 4: At this stage for deep curly and wavy textures, use a denman brush to gently brush the hair once so that the curls can be formed. Gently squeeze the hair in a scrunching motion to maintain the curls and remove the water from the hair. For other textures, you do not have squeeze the hair in a scrunching motion; you can squeeze the excess water from the wig by running your hand on the length of the hair. Place the wig on a towel for approximately 5 minutes to remove excess water. Natural, organic oils must be used to provide moisturize for the hair and is best applied to curly/wavy textures when wet to seal in moisture.
Step 5: Allow wig to air dry. Try to avoid disturbing the curls for curlier units. When dry, avoid combing or brushing for deep curly or wavy textures. For other textures, style as desired with flat iron or curler.
Step 6: Turn the wig inside out and place it on your mannequin/foam head so that the lace closure or frontal (if one was used) is exposed. Spray the lace closure or frontal area of the unit with the Knot Sealer or Fray Block, which prevents excess shedding.
How to Prevent Shedding/Tangling
Tip 1: Do not scratch your head while wearing your unit
- If you have an itch, pat your head with your hand.
- If itching continues, remove the unit and treat your scalp with an anti-itch shampoo
Tip 2: Avoid pulling out the hair on your wig.
- Always comb out your unit before washing it. This detangles the unit.
- Only use a wide tooth comb to detangle your unit
- Do not be too rough when combing and washing your wig. This can cause shedding.
Tip 3: Avoid using products with high alcohol content
- Products with high alcohol content, such as some kinds of hair spray, can leave the hair feeling dry which will result in breakage.
- When purchasing hair care products, take note of the ph. levels. This is extreme importance, however most people are not aware of this. Products at that are ph. balanced between 4 and 6 are always best. Anything above 6 will result in the hair feeling dry and unmanageable.
Tip 4: Always let your unit air dry
- Never turn the wig inside out to wash the cap because may cause the hair to tangle when trying to turn the wig back over.
- Do not blow dry wig or apply any heat when the hair is wet, allow it to air dry overnight or hang outside for four hours or more.
- Dryer heat can split the knots and increase your unit’s risk of shedding.
Tip 5: Never sleep in your unit
- For a nightly care regimen, it is highly recommended that you brush or comb the hair gently before wrapping it up or covering it with a scarf (satin/silk to prevent friction which results in shedding) if you sleep with your unit on. If the latter is the case, it is also highly recommended that you braid your hair in two sections for straight and, light wavy textures to prevent tangling, and four or more sections for deep curly/wavy textures to prevent tangling, maintain moisture and the curl/wave pattern.
- If the unit is removed at nights, simply place it on a wig head or stand.
Tip 6: Moisturize your wig
- Unfortunately, your unit does not receive moisture from the scalp like your natural hair. Wigs must therefore be consciously moisturized.
- Stay away from using products that are very oily or greasy on your unit
- Try using moisturizing products made just for wigs or that which are organic and/or made for virgin hair extensions or your own hair.
- For curly textures, it is highly recommend that the wig be hydrated by spraying the hair with a concoction of natural oil and a little conditioner and water. This can be done daily and nightly or as needed.
