Love Your Wigs? Here Are 5 Ways to Ensure the Hair Beneath is Healthy

Whether you are looking to experiment with various hairstyles and/or colors, revamp your look and boost confidence; or you are compelled to wear it to hide a receding hairline or copious hair loss, there is no denying that wigs are lifesavers. Wigs have a way of cutting out the stress of styling your natural hair, and giving you an easy way to protect your hair from daily treatment and breakage.

The thing about wigs, though, is that while it certainly makes your life easier, if not worn properly, it can actually do more harm to your natural hair than good.

So, how then do you get the most out of your wig, while keeping your natural hair healthy and damage-free?

Wear your hair dry and neatly wrapped or braided under a wig
A number of people tend to neglect their hair when wearing wigs. They do not even bother to prepare their hair for the wig. They just bunch it up or fold it under the wig and go on with their lives. But the thing is, this bunching up or folding of hair can actually cause breakage and damage to your hair. Rather than do those, it is advisable to either braid or wrap your hair, so as that way you keep your hair healthy and also get a better fit with the wig.
In addition, do not wear your wig over wet or damp hair. No matter how short or scanty your hair is, allow it to dry before putting on your wig. Wet hair provides a breeding ground for mildew, bacteria to fester and you don’t want that mess on your wig or scalp.

Moisturize your natural hair and scalp daily
Wigs may be protective but they have a way of sucking up the moisture out of your natural hair- especially if they are made with cotton or nylon caps; thus, leaving your scalp dry and your hair prone to damage.

Remember to moisturize your hair at least 3 times a week. You do not necessarily have to go under the shower or drench the hair in water. Every time you take off your wig, simply spray your hair with some water or leave-in conditioner and work it into the hair. Make sure the water is not too much – no dripping down your face or neck.
You just need a little to replenish some moisture into your strands. After you have done this, allow your hair to dry before putting on the wig again. If you do not have the patience to spritz water on your hair, you can alternatively use a dropper to apply moisturising oil directly to the scalp daily, or use a light oil spray to hydrate the strands of your hair.

Massage your scalp
The scalp plays an important role when it comes to keeping your hair healthy; neglecting your scalp while wearing a wig is probably a bad move. Aside from the fact that you run a higher risk of having severe dandruff -a side effect of regular wig-wearing, the scalp receives less stimulation during wig wear. It reduces the chances of scalp circulation, as well as the eventual healthy growth of hair.

Avoid product buildup on you hair
While you want to keep your hair moisturised underneath the wig, you have to make sure you do not use too much product on your scalp. Overloading your scalp with products can lead to product buildup, clogged pores, and eventually, hair loss. To avoid product build up, you can moisturise your scalp with light oils such as jojoba or almond. If you feel that you have amassed a build up at any time, use and Apple Cider Vinegar rinse to remove the product buildup.

Protect your edges
When wearing a wig, you want to make sure the wig cap isn’t too tight and the hair clips used to keep the wigs in place is properly installed. This is so that you avoid snatching and snagging of the hair during removal, especially around your edges.
Again, you want to braid your hair for the wig; try not to braid the hair too tightly along the hairline as tight braids can lead to “traction alopecia”. You hair follicles come out at the root, and you are faced with permanent hair loss around the edges. Wear loose braids and keep your edges well maintained and moisturised with conditioner.

Photo Credit: Alberto Jorrin Rodriguez | Dreamstime.com