How to safely change the colour of your human hair wig without causing
damage to its delicate structure.
If
you’ve invested in a human hair wig, then you’ll know that one of the selling
points of authentic hair is its durability, allowing you to cut and style the
hair as you wish. Although synthetic hair is a much more inexpensive option for
a wig, the truth is that unfortunately it looks significantly cheaper too. So
if you want to achieve a natural look, then human hair is the best way to go.
Additionally, you can’t dye synthetic hair successfully using commercial hair
products as there is no hair cuticle to retain the pigment. If you’d like to
change the colour of your human hair wig, then you’ll need to go about it
carefully so that you don’t damage the delicate structure of your handcrafted
hair piece. Follow these tips for best results.
Revisit Your Wigmaker
Booking
a followup appointment with your original professional wigmaker would be best
practice when it comes to changing the colour of your real hair wigs. Each type of human hair reacts differently to hair dye, so a professional
colourist will know how best to approach your extra locks.
Choosing Your Shade
If
you’re determined to go DIY, then select the tone of your new look carefully.
To avoid damaging the fragile strands of your human hair wig, it’s important
not to go for a colour change that’s too dramatic. So dark brunette to platinum
blonde would be inadvisable for instance, but ash blonde to light brown would
be ok.
Pre-Colouring Steps
Before
you start colouring, begin by placing your wig on its stand and follow your
usual routine for washing the hair, ensuring that you are gentle in the way you
handle the strands. Avoid conditioning at this stage and finger comb through to
remove any tangles.
Colouring Your Hair
Once
you’ve prepared the hair, it’s time to don your gloves and follow the
instructions of the hair dye product you’ve opted for. Choosing a dye without
sulphates is a good plan, particularly if your wig is curly, as these harsh
toxins can cause damage to your hair. With curly hair, you
should also remember that it tends to accept the dye more readily. If you’re
hoping to achieve a more subtle look, then reduce the time you leave the
colourant in for.
Apply
the dye to the hair, using clips where necessary to ensure that you have an
even coating of each strand. Try to keep the colour away from the knots at the
foundations of the wig.
Rinsing and Aftercare
Once
you’ve applied the dye and have left it for the desired length of time, you
should rinse out the colourant carefully with lukewarm water until clear. Use
the aftercare conditioner supplied, and blot with kitchen roll or paper towels
to remove any excess residue. With the wig on its stand, comb through again
initially with your fingers, followed by a specialist wig comb to remove any
tangles, then leave to dry naturally if you can. Over-styling your human hair
wig should be avoided if you want to ensure longevity of your wig.
You
can carry out a DIY colouring job on your natural hair wig by following these
tips. However, as your hairpiece is such an important investment, it’s worth
hiring a professional to care for your locks and no-one knows your wig better
than the original wigmaker. Book a followup appointment with them today!
