How To Keep Your Human Hair Wig Stunning: Professional Guide

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Did you know proper care can extend your human hair wig's life up to three more years?

Human hair wigs are generally stronger and last longer than synthetic ones, provided they receive the right care, in fact the numbers back this up. The global market for human hair wigs and extensions will reach $13.28 billion USD by 2026, according to a Tendata report.

Quality human hair wigs are a big investment that needs protection. The right care products can determine if your wig stays beautiful or falls apart quickly. These wigs are a great way to get styling options that synthetic ones can't match. You can shape and style them in many different ways.

This comprehensive guide will equip you with professional tips to preserve your wig's natural beauty and ensure its longevity. From basic cleaning routines with specialty products to avoiding common mistakes, we've got you covered. With our guidance, you can be confident in the extended lifespan of your investment.

Understand Your Human Hair Wig

You'll notice the difference between human hair wigs and synthetic ones the moment you touch them. Human hair wigs feel natural, move beautifully, and have a shine that synthetic materials can't match. Our clients at Custom Hair Company tell us they love these qualities in our premium human hair wig collection.

Maddie human hair wig by custom hair company hamilton

What makes it different from synthetic wigs

These wigs really stand out because they're made from 100% human hair, which gives you amazing styling options. You can cut, colour, and style them just like your own hair - something you can't do with synthetic wigs. They last three to six times longer than synthetic options, too.

The natural look sets these wigs apart. The hair feels soft and has a natural shine and movement that synthetic fibres just can't copy. This authentic quality makes them a great choice for people who need long-term hair solutions or want something that looks completely natural.

How long can your human hair wig last with proper care?

A high-quality human hair wig can last from one to three years as long as you take good care of it. The lifespan depends on several things. Hair quality and processing are vital factors - virgin hair (completely unprocessed) and Remy hair (with cuticles intact and properly arranged) usually last the longest.

Virgin hair wigs stay beautiful longer because the hair hasn't been damaged by chemicals, which makes it stronger and more resilient. The hair in heavily processed wigs might not hold up as well through repeated washing and styling.

vector image showing hair cuticles in different stages

Why cuticle alignment matters

Understanding the role of cuticle alignment in wig quality is crucial. The best wigs have hair cuticles that point in the same direction, a meticulous arrangement that reduces friction between strands and prevents the tangling and matting commonly seen in cheaper wigs.

Well-aligned cuticles create a smooth surface that reflects light better, giving your wig that healthy shine everyone wants. Without proper alignment, hair gets frizzy and dull, tangles easily, and won't last as long or look as natural.

At Custom Hair Company, we are Hamilton's wig specialists, and offer free consultations to clients throughout New Zealand to help you find your perfect wig. We also help eligible customers access the Government Wig Subsidy. Our Hair to Help Collection looks more natural than other human hair wigs, and we keep plenty in stock so you won't have to wait.

Build a Weekly Care Routine

The lifeblood of keeping your human hair wig beautiful and making it last longer is a consistent care routine. Custom Hair Company, NZ's wig specialists, have professional guidelines that will help keep your investment looking stunning.

How often to wash based on usage

Your human hair wig needs washing every 7-14 days of wear or after about 8-10 wears. Natural hair and wigs have different needs - daily washing isn't necessary for wigs. Your wearing patterns will determine the schedule:

  • Daily wearers should clean their wig once or twice weekly
  • Occasional wearers can stretch it to every two weeks
  • People in humid climates or those around cooking odours might need more frequent washing

It's important to note that each wash slightly reduces your wig's lifespan. Finding the right balance is a vital part of care. At Custom Hair Company, we understand that each client's lifestyle is unique, and their wig care needs a personalised approach. This understanding makes our clients feel valued and well taken care of.

Signs your wig needs cleaning

Your wig will let you know it's time for a wash. Look out for these clear signs:

  1. The hair moves as one piece instead of natural separate sections
  2. Greasy strands appear near the face area
  3. The wig feels heavier than normal or loses its shine
  4. Product buildup makes the wig look flat and lifeless

Quick action at the first sign prevents bigger problems and keeps your wig looking natural.

Custom Hair Company wig hair care products range

Using sulphate-free products

Regular hair products can harm your human hair wig because they contain harsh chemicals. Pick sulphate-free, paraben-free, and sodium chloride-free specialty shampoos made specifically for human hair wigs.

Quality products protect your wig's colour, prevent dryness, and keep its shine. The right wig-specific products will protect your investment. The team at Custom Hair Company often says during free consultations, "quality hair requires quality products".

These care guidelines will give your premium human hair wig the beauty, natural look, and longevity you expect from our exclusive collections at Custom Hair Company.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Your best intentions might not be enough when caring for your human hair wig. These common mistakes can reduce your investment's lifespan by a lot.

Overwashing or underwashing

The right washing balance is a vital part of maintaining your human hair wig. Your wig becomes dry and brittle when you overwash it because this strips away natural oils. Your wig looks lifeless and tangles easily when you underwash it due to product buildup.

Your usage pattern determines how often you should wash:

  • For daily wear: Every 8-10 wears
  • For occasional wear: Every 6-8 weeks
wide tooth comb

Using regular brushes or combs

Regular brushes can damage your wig because they pull hair more aggressively than specialised wig brushes. Your investment needs gentle care to avoid unnecessary shedding.

These tools work best:

  • A wide-toothed comb
  • A brush with looped nylon bristles
  • A wire styling brush with steel ball-tipped bristles

Important: Brushing your wig while wet can cause the most damage. Wet hair becomes vulnerable, and brushing can loosen base connections and damage fibres beyond repair.

Applying conditioner to the roots

Conditioning helps maintain your wig, but wrong application actually weighs it down. Using a specialty wig conditioner, start from mid-length and work toward the ends. Skip the roots completely. A dime-sized amount works well, but rinse thoroughly to avoid buildup. We also have a leave-in conditioner for lighter application and touchups if needed.

Your wig might look flat or greasy even after proper washing if you're not applying conditioner correctly.

Skipping heat protection

Heat styling makes human hair wigs versatile, but skipping protection can ruin them. High temperatures without a protective barrier lead to dryness, brittleness, and permanent damage.

Follow these steps before using hot tools:

  • Apply a dedicated heat protectant spray (Simply Stylin' Spray)
  • Start with lower temperature settings
  • Raise the heat only when needed
  • Take care of your wig after styling

Our exclusive Hair to Help Collection of human hair wigs at Custom Hair Company comes with specific care instructions. We offer free consultations throughout New Zealand to help you choose the right products and learn proper care techniques.

Get Professional Help When Needed

Your human hair wig needs professional care from time to time, even with careful home maintenance. As professional's, our expertise can save your investment and prevent the need for a complete replacement.

close up of hair system being washed by hair stylist

When to visit a stylist at Custom Hair Company

A professional stylist can fix problems that you can't handle at home. You should book an appointment with our wig specialists if:

  • Your wig has lost its natural shine despite regular washing
  • The hair feels rough or frizzy after conditioning
  • Your wig's colour shows signs of fading
  • You see tangles, matting, or inversions that stay even after proper home care

Custom Hair Company's wig specialists suggest professional check-ups every six months for wigs you wear often. These maintenance visits can add years to your wig's life.

How to fix dryness or shedding

You can handle mild dryness at home, but ongoing problems need expert help. A professional can help with excessive shedding by:

  • Re-knotting loose strands to stop further loss
  • Sewing loose wefts back into the cap
  • Using special knot sealer sprays that aren't available for home use

Professional stylists use deep conditioning treatments that work their way into the hair cuticle to fix severe dryness. You should talk to our specialist at Custom Hair Company before trying complex repairs yourself, as wrong techniques can cause permanent damage.

Using professional treatments for repair

Wig specialists offer unique treatments you can't do at home. These include:

  • Protein treatments to strengthen damaged strands
  • Cuticle resurfacing for very frizzy wigs
  • Precise trimming to remove split ends while keeping the length
  • Cap repairs to fix adhesive buildup or structural problems
  • Professional colour restoration for faded wigs

Wig specialists have the skills to handle complex repairs that would be hard to do at home. Custom Hair Company's Hamilton-based experts provide these services along with New Zealand's largest selection of premium human hair wigs and systems. We also offer free hour-long private consultations to check your wig's condition and suggest the right treatments.

Professional maintenance costs less than replacing your wig too soon

Quality human hair wigs can last up to three years with proper care and dedication. The stunning results make all the effort worthwhile. This piece shows you how to protect your investment and keep your wig looking natural by following a consistent cleaning routine based on your wearing habits.

On top of that, it helps to avoid common mistakes that can shorten your wig's lifespan. Note that both over washing and irregular cleaning can damage hair fibres. As with any hair care routine, using the right tools like wide-toothed combs and wig-specific brushes will prevent shedding and breakage. You can style human hair wigs with heat, but protection is essential.

Even the best home care routine needs professional attention sometimes. We suggest seeing our specialists twice a year, in fact our team at Custom Hair Company provides expert evaluations and specialised treatments that help fix persistent dryness, shedding, or structural issues.

The secret to your wig's beauty lies in balanced care, not overdoing it or neglecting it, and knowing when you need professional help. Our exclusive Hair to Help Collection offers natural-looking human hair wigs and personalised guidance during free consultations that will keep you looking confident for years.

We help eligible customers access the NZ Government Wig Subsidy and offer NZ's widest range of premium hair solutions without long wait times.

Your human hair wig boosts your confidence, and with proper care, you can enjoy its natural beauty, versatility, and comfort every day.

Key Takeaways

Proper care can extend your human hair wig's lifespan to an impressive three years, making it a worthwhile investment when maintained correctly.

• Wash your human hair wig every 7-14 days of wear using sulphate-free products to prevent damage and maintain natural shine

• Never brush your wig when wet and avoid applying conditioner to roots to prevent unnecessary shedding and buildup

• Use heat protection before styling and invest in wig-specific brushes with looped nylon bristles for gentle maintenance

• Schedule professional maintenance twice yearly to address persistent dryness, shedding, or structural issues beyond home care

• Quality matters: Remy human hair with aligned cuticles reduces tangling and maintains lustrous appearance longer than processed alternatives.

The secret to stunning human hair wigs lies in having balanced care, establishing consistent routines and knowing when professional intervention is necessary. With proper maintenance, your human hair wig will be an investment that will continue providing you with natural beauty, versatility, and confidence for years to come.

Get in touch with us at Custom Hair Company now, we are Hair to Help with your wig and hair piece solutions across New Zealand.
Phone Number
07 929 1258

At Custom Hair Company, we create personalised human hair wigs, hair toppers, hair pieces, and hair patch solutions for women, men, and children across New Zealand. With the most extensive range of stock on hand, we offer fast turnaround times and expert service you can rely on. Based in Hamilton and backed by over 20 years of experience, we are 'Hair to Help' with natural-looking, custom-fit hair systems crafted with care, compassion, and precision.
07 929 1258
56 Pembroke Street 

Hamilton 3204 

New Zealand
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