Skip to content
English
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

How to Prevent Your Wig From Tangling or Shedding?

Why human hair wigs tangle or shed, and how to fix it — a deep conditioning routine, the products you'll need, and how to tell dryness apart from product build-up.

We know wigs are an investment, so when the hair starts shedding or tangling, it stings. Here are some simple, practical steps to reduce tangling and shedding, extend your wig's lifespan, and keep it looking its best.

Why Does the Hair Tangle?

Most of the time, tangling in a human hair wig comes down to one of two things: the hair is dry, or there's product build-up.

If you wash your wig and it's tangling again within a day or so, that's usually a sign it's time for a deep conditioning treatment. We recommend doing a deep conditioner or mask treatment on your human hair wig every three to four months.

If you have a Luxury Synthetic or Heat-Friendly Synthetic wig that's tangling, the causes and fix are different — see our synthetic-specific detangling guide instead.

What You'll Need to Deep Condition

  1. A moisturizing mask (Milbon Treatment or Redken Extreme Mask both work well)
  2. A petite rubber mannequin head
  3. Wig pins — unlike T-pins, these won't pull or damage the hair while you brush
  4. A wig brush
  5. A wig setting/teasing brush

How to Deep Condition Your Wig

  1. Wash the hair as you normally would.
  2. Apply the mask everywhere — including the cap. This is the one time you do want conditioner on the cap itself.
  3. Place the wig inside a ziplock bag and seal it so it's airtight.
  4. Using a hair dryer on medium heat, warm the bagged wig for three to four minutes.
  5. Let the wig sit in the sealed bag overnight.
  6. In the morning, rinse with cold water and continue your normal wash routine.

Product Build-Up Is Another Common Culprit

If your wig hair feels heavy or lies unusually flat, product build-up may be the cause — not dryness. The fix: use a clarifying shampoo, then follow with your normal conditioner.

The most common causes of build-up are: not rinsing thoroughly enough during your weekly wash, using products that are too heavy for the hair, or using styling products with too much weight or hold.

Still Having Trouble?

If tangling or shedding persists, we're happy to help — book a private wig consultation with us and we'll walk through it together.