Cautions

Using hot tools on your alternative hair takes patience and some practice. However with a little guidance it’s no issue, you just have to understand the type of hair fiber you are dealing with when using hot tools.

A very hot iron and hot hair (melting plastic) can be a lethal combination, as well as lots of messy wefts of hair around waiting to attach to anything that moves. Lock up the cats and the dogs when trying these things and be very careful not to get burned.

An older wig that is frizzed got that way from over combing or brushing and/or too much heat. It may be lost. However, you can try the low heat and quick ironing methods to smooth it out, but realize that you may just be making a bigger mess if the fibers are too abused.

Special Care For Sythetic Wigs

• Do not use any human hairsprays on synthetic wigs unless it is in pump form
• ONLY SPRAY LIGHTLY. You don’t want to put heat on “wet hair” as it may burn the hair
• There are special hairsprays and gels available-specifically formulated for synthetic wigs
• Use a soft padded vent brush, pick or wide tooth comb to style synthetic wigs so they do not frizz or tear
• For wigs with a tight curl, do not brush, use a spritz of good synthetic spray de-tangler can work well. Or try placing a ‘little’ Moroccan oil on the hair and working it through using your fingers, a pick or wide tooth comb to gently remove tangles. Again, Patience and Gentle Handling are key here…
• Only use heat tools no higher than 225 degrees on Heat Resistant Synthetic Hair Wigs using such tools as:-curling /straightening iron or steam rollers as it will cause-the fiber to melt. I suggest using Caruso Steam Curlers as they are much safer on the hair than electric curler than can dry out the hair where steam adds moisture and can be used for both synthetic and human hair.For Human hair 300-420 degres
• Never sit directly under a restaurant heat lamp-for a long period of time
• Never leave your wig wet in your travel-or overnight bag too long as it will get moldy
• Never leave your wigs in your luggage. Try to-carry them on board with you they are too-expensive to lose
• Don’t put color on synthetics. These wigs are made-for nylon which dyes will not adhere to
• Only have a professional put peroxide on non breathing human hair
• If you decide to color your human hair be careful-not to over color or it will ruin the hair

Tips When Purchasing A Wig

Don’t listen to pushy sales people. Listen to your gut and walk out if you need to. This is Your Time To Shine… take the time you need to make a correct decision.

Remember, always look at colors in natural light only, not indoors. Indoor lighting will rarely give you the proper color read. If you’re in a store, ask the sales person if the can accompany you outside with a large mirror so you can see if the color you are considering is correct.

The daily use of lace wig adhesives on the skin has not been officially studied for long-term health hazards but it should be known that a small percentage of people are sensitive to the chemicals found in various lace wig adhesive products. Until proper scientific studies have been conducted, every consumer uses these products at their own risk.

Toluene

A mentionable ingredient found in some popular lace wig glue adhesives is Toluene. Toluene is found in gasoline, acrylic paints, varnishes, lacquers, paint thinners, adhesives, glues, rubber cement, airplane glue, and shoe polish. At room temperature, toluene is a colorless, sweet smelling, volatile liquid. According to Scorecard – The Pollution Information Site, by comparison toluene is more hazardous than most chemicals in 2 out of 10 ranking systems.

Inhalation of toluene fumes can be intoxicating, but in larger doses nausea-inducing. Toluene may enter the human system not only through vapor inhalation from the liquid evaporation but also from absorption through the skin.

The dangers of this chemical are very serious. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the short-term effects include: minor nervous system disorders such as fatigue, nausea, weakness, confusion. EPA has also concluded that the long-term effects of toluene has the potential to cause more pronounced nervous disorders such as spasms, tremors, impairment of speech, hearing, vision, memory, coordination; liver and kidney damage. A few notable products that contain this ingredient, so take caution when applying and read the ingredient list.

Latex

Latex is also known to be hazardous to some people that wear lace wig adhesives. This form of plastic is found in some lace wig tapes. This may cause concern for individuals that suffer from latex allergies. Mild reactions to latex involve skin redness, rash, hives, or itching.

More severe reactions may involve respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, and asthma (difficult breathing, coughing spells, and wheezing). Rarely, shock may occur; however, a life-threatening reaction is seldom the first sign of latex allergy.

Medically Safe Adhesives

Increasingly becoming more popular with full lace/front lace wig wearers and medically safe is a contact liquid adhesive and strong two-side tape, which is formulated with a water-based adhesive that is skin and environmentally friendly.

See: WIG ACCESSORIES for our recommended adhesives.