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Why Human Hair Wigs Tangle: Causes and Solutions

March 18th, 2022 | 5 min. read

Why Human Hair Wigs Tangle: Causes and Solutions

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It can be frustrating to experience an issue with a product, especially if it’s new or if you’ve spent a lot of money on it. 

 

At Daniel Alain, we sell human hair wigs and we want you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase for weeks and years to come. We also believe in transparency and responding to feedback or concerns from our customers to better serve you and help troubleshoot any issues you may have. 

 

Our employees work closely with customers and are constantly receiving feedback. We believe in our product and strive to understand any issues that may arise throughout a product’s life so you can proactively prevent them and get the most out of your investment. 

 

Over the years, we’ve received feedback that some customers experience tangling problems with their human hair wigs. After working with these customers and investigating the problems further, we found some common themes. 

 

We put together a list of common causes and recommended solutions to prevent excessive tangling from happening in the first place. This list will help you know how to take care of your wig so these issues don’t arise or, if they do arise, you’ll be more equipped to resolve them. 

 

 

What Causes Human Hair Wigs To Tangle and What Are the Solutions? 

 

Before going further, it’s important to note that while 100% human hair wigs are the closest thing you can get to a full head of biological hair, human hair wigs will have the same problems as biological hair does. 

 

High-quality European human hair wigs tend to be finer in texture, and fine hair by nature tangles more easily. Just because these higher-priced wigs seem the closest to perfection, they are not infallible and will need special attention. 

 

To prevent frequent tangling, it is important that you are diligent about caring for your wig. If you notice light tangling, gently brush out the hair throughout the day as a light touch-up – particularly at the nape of the neck and at the tips for longer wigs. The natural flow of longer hair can cause tangling. Brushing out smaller tangles will prevent bigger tangles from arising down the road. 

 

 

Cause 1: Improper Storage 

 

The most common cause of tangling is improper care. The easiest way to prevent excessive tangling is to make sure you’re caring for and storing your wig properly. 

 

What’s the Solution? 

 

When you’re not wearing your wig, store it on a mannequin head. Laying it flat out on your dresser can leave your wig more prone to tangling, especially if the hair isn’t brushed before laying it out. Keeping your wig on a mannequin head can help the cap retain its shape and the hair fall straight down and loose. It also allows for easy brushing from all angles and will keep the hair untangled.

 

Cause 2: Changes in Temperature & Wardrobe

 

Year after year, we noticed a correlation of increased complaints about tangling as temperatures drop. After evaluating some pieces and investigating further, much of the reported tangling occurs around the nape of the neck area. With winter comes higher necklines, heavier coats and collars, and scarves to keep warm. This can cause tangling as hair is more likely to get caught in clothing or rub creating friction and knots.

 

 

What’s the Solution? 

 

Because tangling is inevitable, and we don’t want to recommend staying cold, consider a different hairstyle while wearing clothes, coats, and winter accessories. Pull your hair back into a low ponytail or bun to avoid rubbing at the nape. Be conscious of how your hair sits when you put on a scarf, making sure none is tucked into the scarf. Being more mindful of tangling and gently brushing your hair occasionally throughout the day can prevent tangle build-ups.

 

 

Cause 3: Product Build-up 

 

Infrequent washing, overuse of styling products, or not removing dirt and build-up with the right cleansing regimen is the perfect recipe for tangles.

 

What is Build-up?

 

Product build-up is the traces of products that stay on the hair. Over time, without proper washing, these traces build sticky residue and can weigh the hair down, making a wig or hair topper more prone to tangling. 

 

How Can I Prevent Build-up?

 

Don’t use serums or oils near the cap. Also, avoid the use of Moroccan Oil or finishing serums with heavy silicones and dimethicones. Make sure you are using color-safe shampoo and hydrating conditioner. Ensure you are completely rinsing the shampoo and conditioner out of the hair after application.

 

When washing your wig, it is important to shampoo the hair twice. One of our consultants, Janet, said this step is often skipped but can prevent a lot of tangling. One shampoo takes off the first layer of grime. The second wash gets the hair thoroughly clean and ensures that each strand has been properly cleaned of any impurities.

 

How Do I Fix Product Build-up?

 

Some tips online claim a clarifying shampoo can help wash away the build-up. While this may be true for regenerating biological hair, this is not true for a human hair wig as they can be too harsh. Clarifying shampoo can help clear build-up at the expense of stripping the hair of moisture since it is not naturally regenerating scalp oils. In addition, it’s best to go ultra-light on the use of styling products.  If your wig feels dry be sure to use a hydrating conditioner or mask mid-shaft to ends.

 

Aside from properly washing your wig, the best way to fix build-up is to send your piece to Daniel Alain for a wig spa, where your wig will receive a special treatment to clean the hair, deep condition it, and help reduce instances of tangling. Our wig spa’s flat rate is $120 and $90 for a hair topper.

 

How Else Can I Help My Human Hair Wig?

 

After reading this article, you now know what could cause excessive tangling with a human hair wig and how to solve these issues. Most of these issues come down to being vigilant about caring for your wig. Carrying a small detangling brush in your purse for touch-ups throughout the day can help stay ahead of tangling issues. 

 

Here at Daniel Alain, we believe that educating yourself is the best way to approach many problems. Your best hair deserves the best care. If you want to be proactive about preventing tangling or other problems that can arise with a human hair wig, we have an array of educational resources to help you learn how to properly care for your wig and avoid potential issues. 

 

If you notice a problem that falls outside of the aforementioned tangling causes, the best step to take is to contact a Daniel Alain consultant and troubleshoot the problem together.  We offer a wig spa to help revitalize your wig that may help resolve tangling problems. We are here for you to feel beautiful and enjoy the most from your investment.