Hair

How to Care for Your Hair Under a Wig

Wigs are a great protective style, especially during the winter months when the elements can wreak havoc on one's hair. However, in order for a wig to be effective in protecting the health of one's hair, the wig wearer must not neglect what lies beneath. Below are a few steps one should take in order to care for the hair while rocking a wig:

1. Shampoo and deep condition your hair with a moisturizing treatment.
2. Apply a moisturizing leave-in to the hair, concentrating on the ends.
3. If your hair tends to be dry, you may wish to seal in the moisture with an oil. (Pure coconut oil, EVOO, and Argan oil are a few oils that will seal the deal.)
4. Cornrowing/braiding the hair is the best option, as this will allow the hair to rest--especially if you plan on wearing the wig consistently. This way, you can rock a wig for a week at a time without having to manipulate your hair on a daily basis.  
5. Wear a wig cap to protect your hair from breakage. The friction from wigs can cause one's real hair to snap! (Please note that some wig caps can dry out the hair further, so you may wish to forgo this step.)
6. Moisturize your hair daily. (You may find it necessary to moisturize your hair daily before applying the wig. Spraying the hair with water and sealing with an oil can do the trick. You can also use a moisturizing braid spray that contains water as a top ingredient.)
7. Be sure to wash your hair--particularly your scalp--once a week, and do a deep conditioning treatment to help the hair retain moisture and elasticity before restyling.

For tips on how to care for the actual wig, see How To Care For a Wig.