Essential Tips for Keeping Your Wig Moisturized
When it comes to hair care, human hair wigs aren’t all that different from your natural hair. That means they need just as much attention—whether it’s your real hair or a wig. We often hear customers say their human hair wigs get dry and frizzy, so how do you keep them moisturized? Before diving into helpful tips, let’s first break down what causes wig dryness in the first place.
What Makes Wigs Dry Out?
To effectively keep your wig moisturized, it’s key to understand what’s drying it out.
Your scalp naturally produces sebum, an oil that keeps your natural hair moisturized—but human hair wigs lack this built-in hydration, which is why they tend to dry out over time.
We all know the sun can damage hair and dry it out, but there are plenty of other culprits too: overwashing, using hot tools without heat protectants, and sudden temperature shifts between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Heat styling is a big one. Even diffusing curls or sitting under a hooded dryer to set a protective style can strip too much moisture from the hair. And how you dry your wig after washing matters, too. Using a regular terry cloth towel soaks up moisture but also rubs against the hair cuticle, leaving it frizzy and more likely to get damaged.
How to Keep Your Wig Moisturized
Opt for High-Quality Hair Oils
If your human hair lace front wig is feeling especially dry, experts swear by natural oils. Oils form a protective seal over the hair cuticle, locking in moisture and nourishing the strands. To date, the most effective oils for hydrating hair (and scalps) are tea tree oil, olive oil, and coconut oil. You can also use hair care products with these ingredients regularly.
Not sure which oil to pick? Here are some of our top recommendations:
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil strengthens hair, reduces product buildup, and helps preserve the hair’s natural proteins—making it a great pick for fine hair.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is loaded with hair-healthy vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin E, copper, and zinc. It’s perfect for keeping your wig looking full, shiny, and healthy.
Argan Oil
Packed with vitamin E and fatty acids, argan oil can turn dry, coarse hair into softer, glossier locks. It also helps tame flyaways and frizz a bit.
Minimize Hot Tool Use
While 100% human hair wigs can be dyed, permed, bleached, highlighted, straightened, or styled just like natural hair, hot tools are a major culprit for dryness and damage. Studies show that temperatures over 203°F (95°C) harm hair, and regular blow dryers can hit over 400°F (204°C). Even diffusers, which spread heat, can blast moisture out of hair faster if they’re too hot—leading to dryness. To keep your full lace wig in great shape, use hot tools as little as possible.
Choose Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
Regular shampoos can strip hair of its natural oils, so go for moisturizing formulas instead—they’re designed to lock in hydration, even during the dry winter months. We recommend deep conditioning your wig once a week.
Swap Regular Towels for Microfiber Towels or T-Shirts
Using a regular terry cloth towel soaks up moisture but also rubs against the hair cuticle, leaving it frizzy and prone to damage. After washing, use a T-shirt or microfiber towel to absorb moisture without rubbing. First, gently squeeze excess water from the wig with your hands, then lay it on the towel. Pat and press softly to soak up more water—no rubbing!
Wash Your Wig Sparingly
You don’t need to wash your wig as often as your natural hair, but dirt and oil can build up over a few weeks, making it lose its shine. Curly wigs, in particular, might get stiff and hard to style.
To wash: Put the wig in a shallow basin with warm water and wig shampoo. Gently swish it around for a few minutes (no rubbing). Take it out, lay it on towels, and pat off extra water—avoid rubbing, as that can loosen curls.
Fall is here, and it’s the ideal season to lock in moisture and keep tangles at bay. Follow these steps to keep your wig smooth, hydrated, and easy to manage!