How to wash artificial hair: detailed instructions from experts

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Ksenia Emelyanova

Hairdresser-stylist with more than 7 years of experience, teacher-colorist.
To give hair fullness and volume, many people prefer tresses made from natural hair, believing that they are more consistent with the texture of their own strands and are more durable to wear. However, high-quality artificial strands are produced using new technologies, so they are practically no different from natural ones.

In addition, it is sometimes difficult to choose the right shade of natural tresses, while the extensive color palette of artificial strands allows you to quickly find the tone that best suits your natural color. Another plus in favor of synthetic materials is their more favorable cost compared to natural hair.

Hair price charts depending on type and length | Create Infographics

Synthetic strands, especially those made from inexpensive materials, can become brittle, lose shine, or mat over time. Only comprehensive hair care, which includes not only washing and combing, but also proper wearing and storage, will help to avoid this.

To produce high-quality artificial hair, Kanekalon is used - modacrylic fiber with the addition of seaweed extract. It is characterized by high elasticity, does not fluff, and its properties almost resemble natural hair. The material was invented in Japan and initially had a palette of 42 shades.

Can artificial hair be washed and how often?

Extensions made from Kanekalon, modacrylic or thermal fiber get dirty much slower than natural hair, so frequent washing does not threaten them. However, there are 2 key points to consider:

• When humidity is high, synthetic hair wigs become dirty faster, which means you will have to wash them more often.
• Short models are unpretentious in terms of care - they need to be washed less often than wigs with long curls.

Experts advise washing your faux wig after 12 uses. It is enough to inspect the product to assess the degree of contamination. If dust and styling products have accumulated on the strands, and the smell leaves much to be desired, this is a reason to put the wig in the wash.

Synthetic wig for easy care: 5 tips for choosing

1. If you don’t have time to care for your wig, then initially choose a darker color palette - black, chestnut and chocolate shades. Blonde, ash and red hair gets dirty faster. The curls darken by 2-3 tones and become dull. Strands that are too light acquire a grayish tint and do not look aesthetically pleasing.

2. Cheap, low-quality products are made from synthetic fibers, which are much thicker than human hair. Sometimes they resemble a fishing line, and this immediately catches the eye of others. High-quality wigs are made from modern, high-tech materials - Kanekalon and thermal fiber. Such artificial hair looks as natural as possible. They lack the shine characteristic of cheap synthetics, and caring for them comes down to regular washing and combing.

3. Pay attention to the base of the wig. The best option (in terms of price and quality) is tress with monofilament inserts. This is a light transparent mesh in which hairs are woven into the cells, thereby creating the effect of natural hair growth. In such a wig, there is no greenhouse effect, the scalp breathes freely, and your own curls do not suffer from overheating. And one more important plus - you can model any hairstyle, comb your hair in different directions, which allows you to hide some of the shortcomings of artificial hair.

4. The length of artificial hair also plays an important role. It is much easier to maintain a short haircut than long curls. But you can experiment with long curls, create complex evening hairstyles, and if you get tired, there is always the opportunity to shorten your hair and get a current haircut.

5. In a low-quality artificial wig, the color will be monochromatic, and this immediately reveals its “unnatural” origin. Modern industry makes it possible to dye artificial fibers in different shades, create an ombre effect, highlighting, etc. If you want your hairstyle to be as natural as possible, you should choose models with different shades of hair that are close to the natural color.

How to wash artificial hair: general recommendations

• If the water is hard, soften it by boiling or using plain baking soda. In prepared water, contaminants are removed faster and easier.
• Comb your synthetic hair thoroughly before washing. There should be no knots or backcombing on the strands. Choose combs with wide teeth and handle the products as carefully as possible so as not to pull hairs out of the base.
• For washing, regular products are suitable - shampoos for dry hair or for children. They clean well enough without being too drying or tangling.
• After washing, you can use an antistatic agent, which will remove static electricity and help maintain excellent styling.
• You can comb the wig only after it is completely dry. For convenience, you need to divide the strands into small parts - start from the ends and gradually rise to the base.

Care after washing and drying your wig

Basic tips for caring for a synthetic wig after washing and drying:

1. No matter how carefully you wash the product, your hair will get tangled during washing. Take an iron comb and start combing your hair from the ends. To make it easier to comb, use a detangling spray.
2. Tangled hairs must be untangled manually, as already indicated at the stage of preparing the wig for washing.
3. You cannot curl artificial hair with curling irons or straighteners, you will ruin the material and it cannot be restored, you will have to buy a new wig.

Step-by-step instructions: how to wash artificial hair

1. Prepare the wig for washing - carefully comb the curls, untangle the knots. Fill a bowl with boiled cool water, add a cap of shampoo to it, whip up the foam and dip the artificial hair into the prepared solution.

2. Soak the product for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse carefully, but without sudden movements, twisting, or rubbing.

3. Rinse the shampoo under running water - from base to ends. The pressure should be weak so as not to damage the fibers. To soften synthetic curls, fill a bowl with water, add a cap of conditioner and leave the wig in this solution for 20-30 minutes. No need to rinse.

4. Synthetic hair should not be squeezed or vigorously rubbed. It is enough to lay the curls on a thick terry towel and leave until completely dry. It is better to dry wigs on a blank or a liter (one and a half liter) jar wrapped in a cotton napkin, and hair with clips on a rope or horizontal surface.

5. The styling of artificial hair depends on the material used. Thermal fiber wigs can be dried with a hot hairdryer, curled with a curling iron, flat iron and hot rollers - curls made from this material are not afraid of high temperatures. But products made from kanekalon or modacrylic should never be subjected to heat treatment. Yes, this is not required, because after drying, all artificial wigs return to the shape given to them during the production process. Therefore, you will always have perfect styling immediately after washing the product.

You need to practice heat styling as rarely as possible so as not to damage synthetic hair and prolong its “beautiful life.”

Is it possible to straighten Afrocurls?

You can use a silicone straightener, blow-dry, or use a flat iron to straighten your curls. You may also consider using chemical straighteners if you want a permanent, even look.

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How to wash your hair with clips

Artificial strands on clips are a lifesaver for girls who want to frequently change their looks and experiment with hairstyles. Lengthen your hair, make bangs, add extra volume or hide imperfections - it’s as easy as shelling pears with the help of false curls. But to make them look beautiful, they require high-quality care and regular washing.

The technology for washing hair on clips is no different from that used to care for artificial wigs:

• Pour cool boiled water into a bowl and add a tablespoon of shampoo.
• Place the product in water and leave for 10-15 minutes.
• Very dirty hairpins should be carefully wiped with a sponge.
• Place wet curls on a cotton napkin and leave to dry undisturbed. It is IMPOSSIBLE to squeeze, rub or twist!
• Only thermal fiber curls can be dried with a hot hair dryer. But it is better to let the artificial hair dry on its own.
• You can comb the strands only after drying.

Attention! Under no circumstances should you attach still-wet hair extensions with clips to your own hair and blow-dry them all together.

You shouldn’t skimp on beauty, so buy high-quality artificial extensions and tresses that will last for several years. If you are not limited in finances, it is better to pay attention to products made from natural hair - they can be dyed to match your own hair and curled in the usual way (curling iron, hot rollers).

General rules of care

The hair extension procedure itself is not complicated. The fun begins after its completion. Owners of beautiful hair should know all the subtleties and nuances of proper care for their extensions. If you do not follow the recommendations of specialists, then they will have to say goodbye to the dream of a beautiful hairstyle.

If the curls did not last long on the beauty’s head, you should not blame the hairdresser for this. The specialists offering hair extension services have extensive experience. They have their hands full, and the methods and materials used have undergone laboratory tests and have stood the test of time. The only thing that can affect the duration of the effect of the procedure is complete, high-quality, timely care.

During the procedure, ask the specialist what method he uses. Depending on this, an appropriate courtship method is selected, which the girl will have to perform independently.

We recommend reading: How long do hair extensions last?

Important! The use of cosmetics that match the type of procedure will protect your beautiful hair from premature loss in the future.

How to remove shine from artificial hair?

The cheap shine of synthetic fibers reveals the unnaturalness of luxurious hair and spoils the overall impression of the image. Modern artificial wigs made of Kanekalon or thermal fiber are free from such an unsightly defect, but there is always a risk of purchasing a low-quality product over the Internet.

To prevent the hair on the tresses from tangling and being combed well, manufacturers coat the fibers with a special compound that makes the curls more manageable. However, it is this composition that gives hair shine, and to remove it, experts recommend resorting to the following methods:

• Soak artificial hair extensions for 12 hours in Lenora solution. You can also use an antistatic conditioner. It is not at all necessary to rinse the products in clean water - just remove the tresses from the solution and dry them on a horizontal surface.
• If after such aggressive washing the shine does not go away, then we recommend using dry shampoo. They cover the curls with it and comb it thoroughly, distributing the product along the entire length. Instead of dry shampoo, you can use loose powder, which is applied with a large brush. The main thing here is not to overdo it, so as not to get the effect of gray hair.

Tips and tricks

In order not to damage the strands, you should follow simple recommendations:

1. Wash in cold or lukewarm water (at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees).
2. Use quality shampoo.
3. Rinse under weak running water.
4. Don't forget about the air conditioner.
5. Do not squeeze, twist, or rub.
6. Dry naturally, in a well-ventilated area. Place the wig on a special stand or on a jar.
7. Do not use a hot hairdryer.

You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products here.

What other care is required for artificial hair?

Regular brushing. For this procedure, a comb with rare teeth (the distance between them is 4-5 mm) is suitable. You need to start from the ends and gradually rise higher to the base. In order not to tear out hairs, it is worth dividing the curls into parts and untangling the knots with your hands.

Proper storage. It is recommended to store synthetic hair wigs in a special mesh bag. Here the products are reliably protected from dust, sunlight, and insects. Wigs with long curls should be carefully rolled into a bun.

How to store

Proper storage will help artificial hair retain its appearance for a long time. To do this, it is important to follow the following rules:

• The room where hair is stored must be dry, clean, free from dust and mold.
• Under no circumstances should the products be kept in high temperatures or in direct sunlight.
• The room should be cool and regularly ventilated.
• It is recommended to store long strands in a special net, pre-combed and carefully rolled.

Wigs, hairpieces and artificial ponytails should be cared for in the same way.

Photos of well-chosen wigs (can be enlarged)

Comprehensive hair care will extend the life of such products and maintain their softness, attractiveness and vibrant shine.

Styling artificial hair: how to curl Kanekalon and modacrylic curls

It is better to immediately discard curling irons and thermal curling irons - they will hopelessly ruin the product. To style straight artificial strands into luxurious curls, experts recommend the following technology:

• Moisten the strands with water, divide them into equal parts and wrap them in regular curlers.
• Place the curled hair in a bowl, boil water and pour boiling water over it for 5-10 minutes. The main thing here is to ensure that the synthetic fibers do not begin to melt or fade.
• Take the product out and dry it with a cold hair dryer. Leave until completely dry. Remove the curlers and style your curls the way you want. Hairspray will help secure the result.

How can you make a wig with your own hands?

You can make a masquerade wig quickly and inexpensively using a balloon, hair net, string hair and glue.

1. Inflate a balloon and use it as a mannequin head.
2. Place the hairnet on the ball and glue the hair to it.
3. When you're done, cut off any excess hair.

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