Can You Use Heat on Human Hair Wigs?

Of course, you can. Many women get nervous about using heat on their human hair wigs, and that's totally understandable. I mean, no one wants to damage their wig, especially after spending so much on the perfect hair unit.

But human hair wigs can actually be styled with heat. With the right technique, you can achieve a smooth and soft style.

So, in this post, I’ll be touching on how you can style your human hair wigs safely, and the simple steps you can follow to achieve a gorgeous style without shortening its lifespan. Ready? Let’s get into the post.

Are There Risks to Using Heat on Human Hair Wigs?

Yes, there are a few risks to styling your human hair with wigs.

Human hair wigs do not receive oils from the scalp, so they are more vulnerable when you style them with excessive heat. Here are some things that could happen if you are not careful with your tools and do not protect your wig:

1. Loss of Shape

Using your curling irons or straighteners when they’re overheating can cause your wig to lose its shape and quality. They can also melt the lace and weaken the structure, making the wig unfit.

2. Loss of Shine

As I said earlier, wigs do not receive natural oils from the scalp. This makes them prone to moisture loss, dryness, and dullness. Without proper care and continuous exposure to excessive heat, they are bound to lose their natural shine and movement.

3. Shortened Lifespan

Excessive heat can significantly shorten the lifespan of your wig, no matter how gorgeous it looks after your purchase. Irreversible damage to the cuticle means permanent moisture loss, dullness, dryness, and split ends. This means your wig won’t last as long as it should anymore.

4. Dryness, Frizz, and Breakage

Hot tools can strip moisture from your wig. Using these tools incorrectly will only lead to dryness, frizziness, and breakage. The wig may become brittle, causing breakage and split ends.

How to Safely Use Heat on Human Hair Wigs

I know the risk hot tools pose might make you feel scared to style with them. However, there are safety measures as well. So, don’t worry. Let's see a few ways you can safely use heat to style your human hair wig.

1. Get a Good Human Hair Wig

Honestly, quality matters. As cliché as that sounds, it's the truth. The quality of your wig determines whether it can handle heat.

For instance, Virgin human hair or Remy hair handles heat better than non-remy wigs or other lower-quality human hair wigs. This is because these high-quality ones are usually not processed.

Check out 100% Virgin human hair wigs and hair bundles at Hermosa Hair store.

2. Preparation is a Must

Another golden rule when using heat to style your human hair wig is preparation and protection.

Always take time to prep your wig before styling. I’m talking about washing the wig, properly drying it, detangling it, and applying heat protectant. Never skip this part because it will help preserve the wig. The heat protectant locks in moisture and creates a barrier.

3. Check the Temperature

Keep the temperature of your styling tools between 250°F and 300°F to avoid heat damage.

 I'm fully aware that we want our wigs to turn out great after styling; however, you do not need your curling iron or straighteners to be too hot to achieve that. Be sure to check the temperature once you start styling. You can even start at a lower temperature and increase it gradually. 

Related Read: Hot Comb VS Flat Iron, What's The Difference

4. Use the Right Tools

Although human hair wigs can withstand manipulation, unlike synthetic wigs, they still require the use of the best tools to keep them from damage.

So, go for high-quality tools that allow you to control the temperature. This will give you the liberty to adjust the level as you wish.

A good example is ceramic and tourmaline heat tools. They distribute the heat evenly to your wig and help minimize frizz.

5. Work in Sections

Breaking down the wig into many parts allows you to use the heat styling tool properly without causing damage. I'll even advise that you secure the wig on a mannequin with some T pins, then style, gliding from the top to the bottom. That way, you can monitor everything closely and avoid making any mistakes.

6. Keep the Tools Moving

Do you have the habit of leaving your heat tool at a particular spot for too long? That can damage your hair.

Avoid clamping the tool in one place for a long time. Instead, move it through the hair as you style. This is effective in smoothing your wig strands.

Steps to Style Your Human Hair Wig with Heat Like a Pro

Now that you are aware that it's possible to use heat on human hair wigs, how do you style your human hair wig like a pro? This section focuses on that.

Step 1: Prepare Your Wig

Just like I said in the previous section, it is best to always prepare your wig before styling it. For me, I like to start by shampooing and conditioning the wig gently.

If the wig isn't dirty, you can skip this part and move on to detangling your wig.

Get a wide-tooth comb and brush your wig properly. Move from the ends to the top and ensure there are no knots in the hair.

Step 2: Set Your Wig on a Mannequin

Place your wig on a mannequin head and pin it properly. You want to set it well so it doesn't move once you start styling with your tool.

Step 3: Apply Heat Protectant

Now, spritz with a lightweight heat protectant to shield your hair when you start styling. Be sure to apply it evenly to every part. This is because every hairpiece needs protection, so don't skip it. The product will reduce the risk of damage by creating a barrier.

Step 4: Create Small Sections

Styling your wig can become easier if you work in small sections. This also helps to distribute the heat properly without getting just some parts styled. Plus, styling becomes manageable this way.

Step 5: Style with Your Tools

Set the temperature of your tool between 250-300°F (120-150°C).  Always be sure to use low to medium settings. Once you've made the necessary adjustments, if you're styling a straight human hair wig, glide the flat iron from the top to the tip. Remember not to keep the tool in one place for too long.

However, if you're styling a wavy human wig, wrap the hair around the curling iron and wait for a few seconds before removing it gently and holding it in place with a pin. Unravel all the sections once you're done with all parts of your wavy hair.

Step 6: Finish it Up

For the final step, use hairspray to set the style. This helps to lock the shape of your style, making it stay in place and last longer. It can also help fight frizz and add shine to the wig.

Instead of hairspray, you can also use a small amount of serum. But do not layer products or apply heavy oil to your hair.

Dos and Don'ts

Here are the dos and don'ts you should take note of when styling a human hair wig with heat:

Dos

- Test your heat setting on a small section first: Choose any part at the back of your wig and test your heat setting. Make sure to set it before doing this. And if there are no issues, go ahead and style your wig with the tool.

- Use the best tools: Not all heat styling tools are suitable for wigs. While human hair wigs can be treated basically like your natural hair, be sure to still make use of the best. For example, always use heat tools with temperature dials. The dials help you control the heat and avoid damaging your hair.

- Store properly after every wear: Taking care of your wig after styling is just as important. So, store your wig properly once you uninstall. This will help maintain its shape and reduce tangling and matting. You can store it on a wig stand or inside a box. Also, keep it away from sunlight.

Don'ts

- Do not style a damp human hair wig: Styling a wet wig can stretch and damage the hair. Over time, it can weaken the strands and cause them to feel rough and dry. And eventually, you won't be able to wear the wig anymore.

- Avoid the roots: Be sure to always keep heat tools at least 2 to 3 cm away from the root and cap construction. This is to avoid damaging the knots or melting the lace.

- Never apply heat protectant to dirty or greasy hair: Using heat protectant on dirty or oily hair creates a sticky buildup that makes it hard to distribute the product you're applying evenly, increasing the possibility of dryness and breakage once you style with your tools.

Conclusion

Heat styling is never meant to cause damage to your human hair wig. While you can use a heat tool, be sure to follow our instructions in this post when you style and avoid using them too frequently.