Hair Revamping: Revamping an old wig is a great way to breathe new life into it, making it look fresh and stylish again. Whether your wig is synthetic or human hair, here are some effective steps you can take to revive it:
1. Hair Revamping: Wash and Deep Condition the Wig
For Hair Revamping Synthetic Wigs:
- Detangle first: Gently comb or brush the wig, starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots. Use a wide-tooth comb or wig brush to avoid damaging the fibers.
- Use a wig shampoo: Fill a basin with cool water and add wig-specific shampoo. Submerge the wig and swish it around for a few minutes, being gentle to avoid tangling.
- Rinse: After washing, rinse the wig in cool water until all shampoo is removed.
- Condition: Apply a synthetic wig conditioner, especially to the ends. Rinse it out after a few minutes or leave it on if it’s a leave-in conditioner.
For Human Hair Wigs Revamping:
- Detangle first: Just like with synthetic wigs, detangle your human hair wig carefully.
- Use sulfate-free shampoo: Wash the wig in lukewarm water with a sulfate-free shampoo that’s gentle on hair.
- Deep condition: Apply a deep conditioner to the wig, focusing on the ends. Leave the conditioner on for at least 10-15 minutes to hydrate and soften the hair.
- Rinse: Rinse thoroughly with cool water to seal the cuticles and lock in moisture.
2. Restoring the Texture
For Synthetic Hair Revamping:
- Straightening or Curling: Most synthetic wigs are heat-sensitive, so use heat tools sparingly, or use heat specifically designed for synthetic fibers. If the wig is heat-friendly, set the temperature to a low setting (under 300°F).
- Use hot water: For synthetic wigs, you can reshape curls by rolling the hair on perm rods or flexi rods and dipping it into boiling water for a few seconds. Allow it to air dry and cool before removing the rods.
For Human Hair Wigs Revamping:
- Blow dry or air dry: For human hair wigs, you can use a blow dryer on low heat or air dry the wig on a mannequin head. Make sure to use a heat protectant spray before blow drying.
- Restyle with heat tools: You can use curling irons, flat irons, or other heat tools to restyle a human hair wig. Just be sure to use a heat protectant to prevent damage.
3. Trim or Cut the Wig
- Trim split ends: If your human hair wig has frayed or damaged ends, you can lightly trim it to remove the split ends and give it a fresh look.
- Re-shape or re-style: If your wig is outdated in style, you can give it a new cut or shape. For instance, you can cut bangs, layer the wig, or shorten it into a bob for a more modern look.
4. Add Volume
- Tease or backcomb: For synthetic or human hair wigs, you can tease the roots using a fine-tooth comb to add volume. Be gentle, especially with synthetic wigs, as they can tangle easily.
- Use volumizing products: For human hair wigs, use a volumizing mousse or styling spray to create fullness. Be sure to wash it out after a few days to avoid buildup.
5. Color Your Wig
For Synthetic Wigs:
- Fabric dye or acrylic ink: You can’t use traditional hair dye on synthetic wigs. Instead, use fabric dye (like Rit Dye) or acrylic ink diluted in alcohol to color synthetic wigs. Be careful, as synthetic fibers can be tricky to dye.
- Root touch-ups: If your synthetic wig has visible roots, you can use makeup like eyeshadow or root touch-up spray to camouflage them.
For Human Hair Wigs:
- Use professional hair dye: You can safely dye human hair wigs with professional hair dye just like your natural hair. Make sure to deep condition after coloring to keep the hair soft and moisturized.
6. Fix the Lace (For Lace Front Wigs)
- Clean the lace: If your lace front wig has makeup, glue, or other residue, gently clean the lace using rubbing alcohol and a cotton pad.
- Re-pluck the hairline: To create a more natural look, you can carefully re-pluck the hairline using tweezers to thin out the density.
- Tint the lace: If the lace doesn’t match your skin tone, use lace tint spray or makeup foundation to blend it into your skin.
7. Smooth Frizz and Flyaways
- Silicone-based spray: For synthetic wigs, use a silicone-based spray or wig detangler to tame frizz and add shine.
- Serum for human hair: For human hair wigs, apply a lightweight serum to control flyaways and add sleekness.
8. Secure the Wig Cap
- Tighten the wig cap: If your wig feels loose, adjust the straps inside the wig to make it more secure.
- Add combs or clips: For better security, you can sew in extra wig combs or clips to prevent the wig from shifting throughout the day.
9. Store Your Wig Properly
To maintain the look of your revamped wig, always store it on a wig stand or mannequin head when you’re not wearing it. This prevents tangling and helps the wig retain its shape.
10. Add Accessories
- Headbands and scarves: You can accessorize your wig with headbands, scarves, or clips to refresh its appearance and add personal style.
By following these steps, you can give your old wigs a completely new look and extend their lifespan.
