In part four of CURE’s “Confidently You: Choosing and Styling Wigs that Look and Feel Right” webinar, Daniela Hernandez-Salas, a Look Good Feel Better volunteer, discussed how to wash and care for a wig worn by patients with cancer experiencing treatment-related hair loss.
Summary:
00:04 – Shampooing a wig
- If a patient wears one wig every day, they should shampoo it every two to three weeks; however, this could be dependent on perspiration and wear.
- For example, Daniela Hernandez-Salas noted that during the summer or in warmer weather, patients may want to shampoo more often.
- She also mentioned that the less a wig is shampooed, the longer it will last.
00:44 – Shampooing a synthetic wig.
- The speaker suggested using lukewarm water with wig-specific shampoo in a basin of water.
- She motioned to turn the wig inside out and dip it up and down in the basin, working the shampoo into the fibers, followed by rinsing it under water.
- Last, she recommended squeezing the water out of the wig, not to twist or wring the synthetic hair, and let it air dry for seven to eight hours.
02:53 – Tips and tricks for washing wigs.
- Hernandez-Salas recommended against using blow dryers, curling irons or any kind of instrument that is going to cinch the fiber again to prevent damage.
- She also offered an example of being careful when cooking in either the stove or oven.
- Further, using a sweat liner or wig cap can help to catch sweat and protect ones skin in hot weather.
- When not wearing their wig, patients should keep them on a tall stand or to lay them flat on tissue paper.
- Lastly, Hernandez-Salas reminded the audience to keep wigs away from heat sources, including cars.
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