The Situation
A client recently asks me to restore their standard made futura fiber lace front wig. The client stated she had worn the wig constantly on a daily basis with an occasional overnight for the span of a month and a half. The client’s selection was 18 – 20 inches in length and the style was a loose spiral curl.
The Issue
As with most curly/crinkle style selections, the curl definition is the first to go. While the styles are quite lovely at first it is not at all uncommon for the curl to diminish with wear; now consider product build up on the strands, at some point curly selections will consist of slight curl patterns amidst a swirl of frizz and a dash of grit. Now, avid alternative hair wearers would say at this point their wig resembled that of a bird’s nest and the next step would be a toss in the trash or for the frugal wig consumer a baggie where the selection is retired to an undisclosed location, typically a dresser drawer, but wait there is hope.
Restoration Tips for the Frugal Wig Wearer
The untangling: With your selection in hand gently starting at the crown run your fingers through your selection until you reach the ends, encountering matted tangles should be expected, Starting front left to right or front right to left working from one side to the other, top to bottom keeping the hair flowing vertically is key.
Note: the undercarriage of wigs located to the back and closet to the neck will often become very tangled and matted with wear; this is especially so with longer in length selections, this area may require light brushing with a wig brush. Hold the wig firmly and apply brush to base line of cap and brush down to the ends. Depending on the severity of the tangles one may have to work a smaller section of hair at a time.
The Cleaning: In a large basin fill with one gallon of hot water, add 1/2 cup of Ammonia all-purpose cleaner. If your selection has been in daily use for two months or more and is more soiled (product residue, dirt, lint etc.) 1 cup Ammonia to one gallon of hot water may be more effective. Place Futura fiber wigs, hair pieces or extensions into the solution. Submerge and allow your selection to soak for 5 to 7 minutes. With tongs or while using gloves lift, submerge, lift submerge repeatedly 3 to 4 times, careful to never twist, bunch nor wring your selection. Now rinse the selection in clear hot water. The temperature of the water can be hot from your tap, or to the boiling point from your range or micro-wave. Water temp chosen would again be based on how soiled your alternative piece is. Older more soiled selection would benefit from a hotter water application. Allow your pieces to dry naturally.
Note: An Ammonia bath consist of only ammonia no shampoos or conditioners should be applied. Ammonia: lemon scent or original, both are acceptable.
Futura Fiber
Is an advanced technological breakthrough, for today’s alternative hair consumer. The fibers ability to mimic human hair at an astounding cost difference makes it the more likely choice for the more cost conscious consumer. Using moisture rich shampoos, conditioners, thermal heating aids hairspray and the like works great for futura fiber; however over time with repeated applications one will run into product build up; this residue coats the strands, the residue will act as a magnet and attract grit such as lint, dust particles, Pollen and such. The ammonia bath strips the strands of these elements and provides the basis for style reconstruction of your selection. Our next post will address the style reconstruction of futura fibers following an ammonia bath.
Thank you for reading!
Hairology & Wigonomics 101 