How to wash a wig, the human hair way.

Every 7 to 10 wears is a good rhythm. Wash sooner if you use a lot of product, oil or edge gel, sweat a lot, or the hair feels heavy, dull or sticky. Wear it rarely? Wash it less often.

Washing too often has a cost: a wig gets no natural oils from a scalp, and some shampoos strip moisture from hair, so every extra wash leaves it drier.

Drying takes longest, so wash your wig when you will not need it until it is fully dry.

1. 1
   Detangle first

   Comb gently from the ends up with a wide-tooth comb. For curls, use your fingers, misting with water and a little conditioner first. Knots left in now tighten in the water.

2. 2
   Rinse with lukewarm water

   Hold the wig by the cap and let lukewarm water run down the hair, from roots to ends. Never scrub, twist or pile it on top.

3. 3
   Shampoo gently

   Smooth a little sulphate-free shampoo down the lengths with flat hands. Clean the inside of the cap with your fingertips, where sweat and oil build up, then rinse until the water runs clear.

4. 4
   Condition mid-length to ends

   Apply conditioner from mid-length to ends, keeping it off the lace and roots. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse it out.

5. 5
   Squeeze, never rub

   Press the water out with a microfibre towel, working down the lengths. Do not rub or wring: wet hair is more fragile.

6. 6
   Add a leave-in

   Smooth in a leave-in conditioner, or a heat protectant if you will use heat later. Finger-detangle again from the ends up.

7. 7
   Air-dry on a stand

   Put the wig on a stand and let it dry naturally, away from radiators and direct sun. In a hurry? Use a dryer on its lowest heat setting.

8. 8
   Style once dry

   Wait until the hair and the cap are completely dry, then style as usual. Leave curls alone while they dry so they set without frizz.

Lace is the most delicate part of a wig, so it needs the gentlest hands.

• Remove glue before you wash. Never soak lace with adhesive still on it. Dissolve the glue with a proper remover and let it release. Never peel or pull.
• Clean it with your fingertips. Dab the lace with a little diluted shampoo and rinse. Scrubbing can stretch or tear it.
• Keep conditioner off the lace. Condition the lengths, not the hairline.
• Dry it in shape. Let the lace dry smooth against the stand so it keeps its fit.

Glue can be hard on you too: St George's dermatology team notes that wig adhesives have been linked to irritant or contact dermatitis of the scalp. A glueless wig holds with a band and combs instead. Our lace front steps cover both methods, and the wig guide explains each lace type.

Honestly, it depends. The NHS says real-hair wigs last 3 to 4 years, against 6 to 9 months for synthetic. Treat that as a general guide, not a promise for any one wig.

What decides it is how you wear and treat yours: how many days a week it is on, how much heat, colour and product it gets, and how gently it is washed, dried and stored. A wig worn every day ages faster than one saved for weekends, and rotating two gives each one a rest.

Signs it is near the end:

• The hair stays dry or rough, even after conditioning
• It tangles or mats again soon after you detangle it
• Shedding has left thin patches
• The lace has torn, stretched or no longer sits flat

Tangles usually come from dryness, friction or build-up. Tackle all three:

• Keep it moisturised. A light leave-in between washes stops strands drying out and catching on each other.
• Detangle gently. Always from the ends up, with fingers or a wide-tooth comb. NHS dermatology advice prefers these to a brush because they tug less.
• Cut the friction. Take it off to sleep, and watch collars, scarves and seatbelts that rub the nape.
• Wash off build-up. Product, oil and sweat make hair sticky, so keep to every 7 to 10 wears, or sooner with heavy product.
• Go easy on heat. Dry hair tangles more. Use a heat protectant and keep tools on a moderate setting.

If a wig mats however well you treat it, it may be time for a new one. Check the signs above.