Black Show Hair Blog

Okay, we need a show of hands, how many of you have old wigs and hair weaves from birthdays, holidays, or events that you don't even wear anymore? I'm going to take a wild guess in the dark and say about 100% of you who clicked on this article post. Well, I know I'm not the only one who has old wigs collecting dust because I think they are too old to wear again. Luckily, a friend of mine let me in on the many secrets to bring old hair weave and wigs back to life. I decided to use her tips as well as many others from hair stylists/experts, and I am amazed by all the fantastic results. Who would think that you can add a few extra months or years to your hair weave when you give it the proper care? So, say goodbye to old hair weaves that are dry, matted, or tangled up. I hope you all are excited to read this post because we're giving you the best tips for bringing old hair weave and wigs back to life! Let’s get started!

Use a Paddle Brush to Detangle Knots

When you don't wear your wigs or hair weaves for a certain amount of time, they begin to knot up. Sometimes the knots are so severe it seems impossible to untangle them. Luckily, paddle brushes can get the job done within minutes. Don't let your old hair weave deceive you, and sometimes it can look worse than how it appears. Unlike ordinary hairbrushes, a paddle detangler does not rip or pull out the knotted hair, which makes it perfect for tangled or matted old weaves. The bristles glide through the hair to gently remove tangles with ease and less damage as possible. This tool should be your number one investment and method you use when it comes down to reviving your old wigs or hair weaves.

Use Conditioning Spray

A lot of our problems can be solved with a simple conditioning spray. Using this product is the easiest way to moisturize the fibers in your hair weave and to reduce frizziness. Whether you are trying to bring life to a synthetic unit or a human hair lace frontal, you will need to make sure it is soft and appears smooth. Sometimes you can even make your own concoction, grab an empty spray bottle, some conditioner, and a few drops of water and you're good to go. If you are using this method on a wig, try spraying the mixture a few inches away from the unit, this will ensure that the hair does not come loose. Also, when detangling a wet wig unit, use your fingertips, gently remove tangles. Using a fine-tooth comb or brush may cause further damage to the hair weave. Most importantly, whenever you add a leave-in conditioner to a wig, let the product air dry for optimum results.

Add Some Bangs

For some reason, cutting bangs have always been a go-to method for me when I want to restore my old wigs. Bangs are an edgy and sassy way to switch up your hair in a huge way. One important thing is to make sure you are patient with this method. You don't want to be in haste and end up cutting your bangs too short, now you've ruined a whole wig in a matter of seconds. Always make sure to pull the hair out in front of the wig first before you create the bang. Ensuring the hair is straight will also help for a more effortless trim. Always cut longer than you expect to remember you can always cut more if necessary, but you cannot grow the hair weave back. If bangs aren't quite your thing, then cut your wig into a bob. The main point to take away is that adding a dramatic look will have your wig looking brand new in a matter of seconds.

Soak Hair Weave in Apple Cider Vinegar

Soaking your hair weave in ACV can help restore and revamp it to its original state. First, you need to free the hair of any knots. After detangling, soak the hair for about 15-30 minutes in apple cider vinegar diluted with water. This method will work as a cleaning agent to get rid of any buildup on the hair and clean the wefts. Buildup occurs when leftover products like gels and lotions remain in our hair extensions. If you are attempting to revive the weave while it is currently installed in, you can put the ACV mixture in a spray bottle and spray it on to the hair and carry on about your day. Yes, I know apple cider vinegar carries a peculiar order, but once you rinse it out, the scent will go away.

Boil the Hair Weave

I know this might sound strange but boiling your old hair weave in water can bring it from drab to fab within minutes. So, this method works more so for my ladies with synthetic hair weave and wigs. What you want to do first is boil a pot of water with a small amount of synthetic hair conditioner and let the pot come to a light boil. What do you want to do next is carefully dip the hair weave or wig into the water for only a few seconds? Make sure you are continuously moving the hair around so that it does not burn the synthetic fibers. After about 2 to 3 minutes you can remove the unit, let it dry, and style per usual.

Styling with Heat

Sometimes the go-to method when wigs and hair weave starts to get old is adding a little bit of heat to them. We tend to notice that straight hair tends to shed and becomes tangled the quickest. Adding a few curly hair and there with a curling iron can transform the overall look. What's even better is after a few weeks go by you can use a flat iron and straighten the hair back again. Now, styling with heat works best with human hair weaves and human hair wigs. Since synthetic extensions have fibers adding too much heat can cause it to burn, this adding more damage than you had before. Make sure whenever adding and warmth to hair you use a heat protectant spray of serum on to the unit beforehand.

Use the Fabric Softener Method

Again, this method is most beneficial for synthetic hair weave units. I felt like a whole scientist once I realized how this neat trick works. So, we're going to run through a chemistry lesson, and I promise it'll be Quick! So, most static is caused by a negatively charged ion, which usually occurs when charges gather up in a dry environment. Fabric Softener has chemicals in them with a positive charge, which creates a balance between positive and negative, thus in the process, it eliminates static electricity. Just like that, Science. So now you know why we use fabric sheets when drying our clothes. And just how it can remove static in our garments, it can do the same for our synthetic wigs. Since Synthetic hair weaves don't retain moisture, they are always dry, so think of fabric softener as a useful and cheap conditioner. Try grabbing a spray bottle, fabric softener, and cold water. Mix a combination of 50/50 softener and water. Spray wigs evenly right before bed, and you will see the difference right before your eyes.

How Do You Restore Old Hair Weaves and Wigs?

As you can see, there are many tips and methods you can use to restore old hair weave and wigs. But we also want to inform you that sometimes hair units can become beyond repair. There are cases where all the tips in the world won't make a wig last forever. So, do not get discouraged if some of these tips do not work immediately. The best bet can be replacing your hair weave or wig and taking proper care of it the next time. I hope this post has given you all some inspiration on how to restore your wigs for next time. Do you have any tips on how to add new life to old hair weaves? We want to hear all about your methods. Leave your thoughts in the comment section down below.