How To Revive Your Wig With Heat
All Lush Wigs styles are Heat-Resistant synthetics, however have you noticed your favorite wig getting frizzy, tangled, or stiff at the ends? It happens to the best of them. After weeks of friction against your clothes, sweat, and styling, the fibers start to break down.
While it sounds backward, the secret to restoring that brand-new, silky-smooth look is actually more heat
And There’s Two Types Of Heat:
Dry Heat: Styling tools like hair dryers, hot brushes, wands and straighteners.
Wet Heat A steamer; there are specific synthetic wig steamers on the market, but a regular fabric/clothes steamer reach the same temperature and work the same.
Disclaimer: Non-heat resistant synthetic wigs cannot have dry heat applied to the hair as these will melt the fibers, however if you have this type of wig in your collection. The good news is you can use wet heat; like a fabric clothes steamer, to revive this type of wig.
Unlike non-heat resistant synthetic fibres that melt under dry heat styling tools, like hair straighteners and brushes. Heat-resistant wigs are engineered to respond to temperature. Here is exactly why your wig needs heat to snap back to life, and how you can do it safely at home.
The Science: Why Friction Ruins Your Wig
Synthetic hair is made of fine plastic polymers. When you wear your wig, the fibers constantly rub against your shoulders, neck, and clothing. This friction creates static electricity and microscopic scratches on the hair strands. Over time, these tiny imperfections cause the fibers to fray, leading to that dreaded “crunchy” texture at the nape of the neck.
Regular washing won’t fix this. Because the material is plastic, you have to gently melt those microscopic scratches flat again. That is where heat styling comes into play.
How Heat Restores the Fibres
When you apply controlled heat to a heat-resistant wig, you are essentially performing a mini-resurfacing treatment:
Smoothing the cuticle: The heat softens the plastic polymer just enough to flatten the frayed, scratched edges of the fiber.
Resetting the memory: Synthetic hair has a “built-in memory.” When heated and allowed to cool in a specific shape, it locks that shape in until heat is applied again.
Removing the frizz: Passing a hot tool over the frizzy sections stretches the fibre back into its original, sleek state.
Step-by-Step: How to Steam or Iron Your Wig Back to Life
Before you start, check the wig’s tag, heat-resistant wigs can handle between 130°C and 170°C (270°F to 340°F) We advise a 140 medium heat temperature.
Method 1: The Handheld Steamer Method
(Best for Wavy/Curly Styles)
Always Wash and Dry: Wash the wig and let it dry completely.
Detangle the wig while dry. Use a wide-tooth comb. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots.
Secure your wig to a canvas block head or a styrofoam stand using T-pins.
1. If you want to restore curls, wrap sections of the hair around plastic rollers or flexi-rods.
2. Pass a handheld garment steamer slowly over the rolled sections. The hot steam softens the plastic without the risk of direct, burning contact.
3. Leave the rollers in until the wig is 100% dry and cool to the touch. Once you take the rollers out, the bounce will be fully restored.
Method 2: The Flat Iron Method
(Best for Sleek Styles)
Always Wash and Dry: Wash the wig and let it dry completely.
Detangle the wig while dry. Use a wide-tooth comb. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots.
Secure your wig to a canvas block head or a styrofoam stand using T-pins.
1. Work in small, manageable sections, starting at the nape of the neck where the most damage happens.
2. Set the Temperature: Use a flat iron with a digital temperature display. Set it to 140 / medium heat. Test a small, hidden strand at the back first!
3. Place a fine-tooth comb in front of your flat iron. Pull the comb down the hair section slowly, followed immediately by the flat iron. This ensures the fibres are perfectly straight as they heat up.
4. Let it Cool:The most important step! Let the section hang straight and cool down completely. The style sets as it cools, not while it is hot.
Maintenance Tips to Make the Revival Last
Use Synthetic-Safe Products: Standard human hair products can leave a heavy film on synthetic fibres, attracting more dirt and friction.
leave-in synthetic conditioner
Always spray in a leave-in synthetic conditioner to coat the strands with a protective layer of product to help smooth the fires.
Invest in a Detangling Spray: Spritzing the lengths of the wig with a detangle spray before wearing it reduces friction against your clothes.
Top Tip:Spritzing the nape of the wig with a detangle spray before wearing it reduces friction against your skin or clothing.
Disclamer: These are excellent of any length below the jawline. If you have a pixie cut like Elder or a jaw skimming bob like Poppy, you don’t need a detangling spray as the lengths won’t knot like longer styles that meet the shoulders and back.
Wig Fiber Oil
This is an upgraded version of a detangling spray, specially for longer styles, so if you have lengths past your shoulder blades and beyond, then this is for you. Long styles like Winter, Veronica and Mila.
Store It Right: When you’re not wearing your wig, keep it on a wig stand in the Lush Wig bag. Shoving it into a drawer creates creases and tangles.
Don’t give up on a frizzy wig! With a little patience and the right amount of heat, you can restore and extend its lifespan.