Wigs and extensions are a great way to change up your hairstyle, add length and volume, or enhance your natural style. To revive wig or hair extensions take a little know how and few products and after all, who said you have to be born with it when you can fake it? But just like your natural hair, even the best wigs and hair extensions can eventually become dry, brittle, and difficult to manage.
Your natural hair is constantly stimulated by blood flow and receives healthy proteins and nutrients from beneath your skin. But a wig or hair extensions aren’t “fed” in the same way, so they’re always going to eventually need some manual revitalization. To revive wig or hair extensions take some work.
If your hair is feeling dull and dehydrated, don’t stress! There are loads of easy ways that you can restore a healthy shine.
From subtle changes to your hair care routine to different types of natural oils, we’re here to tell you how you can refresh your locks—regardless of whether they’re own-grown or not.
Why Do Wigs And Hair Extensions Get Dry? – Revive
Before we dive into some practical tips for how to revive wig or hair extensions, let’s talk about why dryness happens in the first place.
By understanding the root causes of the issue, you can help prevent hair dehydration from settling in before it becomes a frustration.
When it comes to dry, brittle hair, there are usually one or more culprits to blame. And their names are:
- Chlorine – Pool chlorine sucks out the natural oils from your skin and hair, leaving them dry, damaged, and rough. Chlorine is definitely something to avoid if you wear a wig or hair extensions.
- Hard water – Hard water is comprised of various minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. But while these minerals are essential for general health, they tend to leave a hard layer of buildup on hair strands, which prevents them from absorbing moisture.
- Prolonged sun exposure – Too much exposure to the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays can cause damage to the structure of your hair strands. This can also lead to thinning, frizziness, and easily breakable strands.
- Seawater – Similar to chlorine, seawater has an abrasive impact on hair. Salt crystals in seawater cling to hair strands, making them knot-prone and sticky. This can also irritate the scalp and lead to brittle, rough hair.
If any of these things are something that regularly features in your life, it may be the reason why your wig or hair extensions are feeling dry.
Dryness and dehydration are both natural byproducts of wearing synthetically attached hair. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to revive wig, restore hydration and repair your locks to their former glory!
Different Types Of Hair Extensions And Wigs
- Clip-ins – These hair extensions clip into the back of your crown for instant length. When it’s time to give them a refresh, take them out and work with them by hand before allowing them to air dry naturally.
- Weaves – Weaves are synthetic or human hair extensions that get sewed into natural hair. Their textures, lengths, and styles vary. As they’re sewn in, you need to treat dryness while wearing them.
- Wigs – Unlike weaves, wigs are attached to the crown via glue or tape and can be removed when needed. You have the choice to wash and treat a wig while still on your crown, or separately if you choose.
You also have texture to consider. If your wig or extensions are straight, they will be able to withstand being brushed more than once per week and may require less conditioning. Wavy hair extensions or wigs will still need regular detangling, but less so than straight varieties.
If your wig or extensions are very kinky and curly, you can reserve brushing for a weekly or bi-weekly wet detangle. Do not attempt to brush while dry!
Super tight curls also tend to be thirstier, so you’ll need to give them longer, more intensive conditioning treatments for more lasting richness.
Human Hair Versus Synthetic Hair
Both human hair and synthetic hair can create beautiful, durable, and healthy-looking extensions and wigs. It’s all about what you prefer and what your budget is. However, these two different wig or extension types require slightly different maintenance routines to keep them from looking dry, tangled, and dull.
Human hair is easy to maintain and tends to have a longer lifespan. It likes warm washes and lightweight conditioners. Synthetic hair can be more tangle-prone, but that can be remedied with more frequent, intensive conditioning and heavier conditioner products.
Neither human nor synthetic hair responds well to dry brushing or excessive shampooing. Conditioner and wet detangling are much gentler and will help keep your locks feeling lighter, softer, and more moisturized.
5 Steps You Can Take To Restore Hydration, Bounce, And Shine
No matter how dry, brittle, or damaged your extensions or wig might feel now, there’s no need to fret. There are plenty of easy steps you can take towards luscious curls that stay bouncy and fresh.
- Avoid over washing
Over washing can be a big problem for textured hair extensions and wigs. Too much washing has an abrasive effect on all types of wigs and hair extensions. So, you may want to dial back your weekly or bi-weekly wash routine even further.
- Conditioner is your best friend
Natural or synthetic, kinky or straight—wigs and hair extensions love a good conditioning. Co-washing (washing with just conditioner, no shampoo) is a great way to rehydrate your locks and maintain freshness that lasts throughout the week.
During your wash, make sure to get in plenty of nourishing conditioner from root to tip. Leave it in for anywhere between 10 to 30 minutes. For even deeper conditioning, use a leave-in conditioner that’s suitable for your wig or extensions.
- Use oil or softener
Argan, Moroccan, or coconut oil can work wonders to revive a dry wig or extensions. Apply a thin layer and leave it on for a minimum of 30 minutes before washing the oil off. For a deeper conditioning treatment, you can leave the oil on overnight.
If you have a synthetic wig or extensions, you can also use fabric softener to give them back the moisture they’re lacking. You’ll need to mix softener and water and then wash as usual, leaving your hair to air dry afterwards.
- Let hair drip-dry or air dry
Regardless of your wig or extension’s texture, the best way to help your hair retain moisture is to let it dry naturally. This helps the strands absorb moisture over a long period of time. Leave your hair to dry on a hanger or wig stand overnight and it’ll feel fresh and hydrated the next morning.
Give Your Hair The TLC It Needs
Everyone deserves hair that looks and feels fabulous, whether it’s real or synthetic. A little bit of natural hair loss or volume is part of life, but dry hair doesn’t have to be.
Following these tips for glossy, thoroughly nourished hair is a simple way for you to feel confident again. Revive wig or hair extensions with a little love and they’ll look better than ever, and you will too!
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