Covid Special
Caring for Wigs
& Extensions
The human hair fibers used in wigs and hair extensions require the same type of daily maintenance as
your own natural hair.
You may assume that because human hair is a commercial product, it can be worn without care or
maintenance, while, in reality, it requires extra care because it is more difficult for the necessary nutri-
ents that nourish and keep it conditioned to reach all the parts of the hair. When hair is still growing on
a person’s head, body oils gradually transfer from the skin onto the surface of the hair by many differ-
ent channels. However, the bulky weft or glue on top of commercially-processed hair blocks this trans-
fer, and extra effort is needed to apply nutrients to the hair.
Human hair fibers in wigs and wefts are commonly moisturized at the factory during the manufactur-
ing process. The surface cuticle is sealed with a coating solution. Some high-end extensions are even
given an expensive Moroccan oil treatment before they leave the factory. However, since this treatment
doesn’t last the entire life cycle of the hair, hair must be conditioned regularly.
STRAIGHT EXTENSIONS
Before a client shampoos her extensions, she
should use a deep conditioner in thin lotion
form or a hot oil treatment. This should be
done every 3-4 weeks to keep the hair soft and
conditioned. Once the protein success-fully
enters the cuticles, it takes several weeks
to breakdown. To prevent the moisture and
protein from drying out, it will help to use a
silicon-based coating serum on a daily basis to
seal the cuticle.
The silicon-based serum will leave thin layers
of silicon on the surface of hair. This will not
only seal the cuticles but will also prevent
friction between the fibers. When there is less
friction between fibers, there will also be less
chance of hair breakage or tangling.
A hair oil is very similar in function to a sili-
con serum, only it adds an oily look. When it
dries, the oil that remains on the surface tends
to gunk-up and mat the hair easily. Therefore,
an oil-free silicon serum is recommended for
extensions.
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M A G A Z I N E