While wigs give your hair a rest from the stress of daily styling; it is important to properly maintain the health of your hair while wearing them. You can think of your hair as a collection of luxurious fibers. It is important to treat your hair as gently as you would fine silk. The better you treat it, the healthier it appears.   This is especially pertinent to African American hair, as its structure is more prone to breakage because it lacks the natural oils that other ethnic groups have. At A Girl’s Best Friend, we believe in a holistic approach to healthy hair.  By holistic, we mean that not only is it important to physically take care of your hair, but we also believe that it is important to do so in combination with adopting healthy lifestyle factors.  Thinking of hair care holistically allows one to fuse the mind, body and spirit to promote healthier living.

Universal Do’s and Don’ts for hair care:                           

Do wash your hair regularly. It is important to wash your hair weekly to prevent oil buildup on your wig. Please see our FAQ section on wig care for more detailed instructions on how to care for your wig.   

Don’t skip conditioning treatments, to save money. It’ll only cost you more in the long run.

Do keep up with weekly deep conditioning treatments.   

Do try monthly hot oil treatments.  No one says that good hair care has to be expensive. A brand I like to use is Alberto VO5 hot oil treatments. This really helps maintain the necessary balance of moisture in my hair.

Don’t forego trimmings to hold on to length, this only allows split ends to travel up the shaft further, contributing to duller looking hair.

Do make sure to keep up with monthly trimmings. Cutting split ends helps to maintain the smooth appearance of the hair shaft.  Trimming the hair every 2-4 months will promote healthier looking hair.

Don’t apply a wig over wet hair.

Do remove your wig daily to allow your scalp time to breathe.

Don’t sleep with your wig on. This could distort the shape of the wig; use a Styrofoam wig head or a mannequin to store your wig to ensure you get the maximum wear out of the wig.

Do remember to wrap your hair with a rayon or silk scarf at night, this will minimize friction, thereby reducing the amount of natural oils that stripped by your pillow each night.

5 lifestyle tips to help promote healthier looking hair

1.       Sleep.  Sleep deprivation is one lifestyle factor that can contribute to hair loss. The body needs sleep to function properly. Sleep promotes growth for your body as well as your skin and nails.

2.       Exercise regularly. No one says you have to go a run the marathon, but even walking at brisk pace for 15 minutes, or simply taking the stairs will raise your heart rate enough to improve circulation to your entire body; including your scalp.

3.       Drink the recommended daily amounts of water. And remember to adjust your levels of consumptions according to the time of year. Naturally, we perspire more during the warmer weather, adjust your consumption by consuming more water in the summer months.

4.        It is also important to get the proper nutrition. Vitamin B12 is one nutrient that is important to hair and nail growth, nervous system development and brain function. Eggs, meat, and poultry are excellent sources of B12. Supplements are also available to help boost vitamin B12 levels.

5.       Attitudes can influence the way the body functions.  Studies have shown that persistent negative attitudes can inversely impact the human body by causing the circulatory system to slow down. And since good circulation is necessary to promote healthy hair growth, it is important to think positive. So SMILE! You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel, when you change your approach to living. 

Wig application tips:

To ensure a natural looking fit, the best hairstyle is one that is flat. One way to achieve this look is by corn rowing the hair; or wrapping the hair around the head in a circular motion as close to the head as possible. While doing this, it is important to minimize the tension around the hairline to prevent permanent damage.  Using a nylon wig cap will help ensure that the hair lays flat. Place the wig over the wig cap. Adjust the straps in the back of the wig for a secure fit. Style the wig as usual.

Styling Tips:

Style is a personal preference. However, when choosing a style there are some factors you may want to take into account. Many wigs come with 15 to 25% more hair than needed to accommodate normal shedding.  Here’s a little known secret of celebs and world renowned professional stylists: To achieve a natural appearance we suggest having the wig cut by a professional stylist to best suit your features. You should always accentuate your best facial features, while camouflaging your less flattering features. If you are a first time wig wearer, we suggest you start with a basic cut.  Bobs and pageboy cuts are great starter wigs, and they look great on a variety of face shapes. If you are unsure as to how to blend your real hair with a wig or a fall, we suggest selecting a wig with bangs.  A rounded hairstyle is most flattering to a fuller figure, but if your face is round as well, you may want to avoid rounded hairstyles. Wigs that fall anywhere from the top of the shoulders to the middle back are considered long hairstyles, and tend to draw the eye down; which is ideal for those who are taller. Longer necks appear shorter, more rounded when hair is worn long with soft lines and fullness. Take a look at our section on face shapes for more details.

Disclaimer: The information contained on the AGBF web site is provided for your general information only. AGBF does not give medical advice or engage in the practice of medicine. AGBF under no circumstances recommends particular treatment for specific individuals and in all cases recommends that you consult your physician or local treatment center before pursuing any course of treatment.