There is no worse feeling for any wig girlie than pulling out your favourite unit from storage only to find a matted mess with bird's nest-level tangles—seriously, it is heartbreaking, especially when you know the wig wasn’t cheap.
However, before you panic and rush to throw out what is probably still a perfectly good wig, let’s help you fix things. A matted wig doesn’t mean it’s ruined; it just needs a little TLC to revive the strands, and in this article we’ll be revealing all our secrets to melting away those knots. Keep reading for our step-by-step breakdown of how to restore your wig to its smooth and shiny glory.
Is It Better To Detangle A Wig Wet Or Dry?
As a rule of thumb, always start the detangling process while the wig is dry or slightly damp with product, never soaking wet. Hair strands (especially human hair) are at their weakest when drenched in water. If you go in heavy-handedly with a comb on a soaking-wet, severely matted wig, you’re going to cause major snapping and shedding. Break up the worst of the knots dry first, then let the water and conditioner do the rest of the heavy lifting later.
What Is The Best Detangler For Wigs?
This depends entirely on your wig type. For human hair wigs, use a lightweight leave-in conditioner or a dedicated detangling spray loaded with natural oils. If you’re working with a synthetic unit, standard hair products won’t work because the fibres are plastic. Instead, opt for a synthetic-safe wig spray or even a DIY mix of water and a few drops of fabric softener (yes, really—it works wonders on synthetic hair fibres!).
What Is My Wig So Matted?
Before we fix the matting first, let’s talk about how we got here. Wigs don't have a natural scalp to supply them with sebum and moisture, so they are highly prone to tangling. Here are some common mistakes causing your wig to mat:
-
Friction: the hair at the nape of your neck constantly rubs against your clothes, collars, and shoulders. This continuous rubbing creates tiny knots that quickly snowball into a massive mat if left unchecked.
-
Improper Storage: Tossing your wig into a random drawer, leaving it balled up on your vanity, or letting it pile up at the bottom of your closet is a recipe for disaster.
-
Lack of Care and Maintenance: Just like your natural hair, wigs suffer from product buildup, sweat, and environmental dust. Skipping wash days and piling on more heavy oils will glue the strands together into stubborn knots.
-
Poor Quality: cheap hair mats faster. Low-quality or heavily chemically processed hair with compromised cuticles will knot onto itself no matter how well you maintain it, which is why it's important to get a high-quality human hair wig like our wigs, which are 100% human hair with no fillers or fluff. Some “human hair” wigs can be mixed with synthetic hair fillers, which make them more prone to matting, so when shopping for a wig, make sure you are shopping from a verified brand like To All My Black Girls.
Fix A Matted Human Hair Wig In These 8 Easy Steps
1. Divide The Wig Into Sections
Section the hair into 4-6 manageable parts using claw clips to make it easier to tackle each section.
2. Apply A Detangling Spray
Working on one section at a time, apply a generous amount of your favourite detangler or a water-and-conditioner mix to the hair. You want the hair to be damp enough to have some slip, but not soaking wet.
3. Finger Detangle
Before reaching for the comb, use your fingers to gently pull apart the largest clumps and tangles. This will keep you from putting too much tension on the hair fibres and reduce the risk of potentially ripping them off and causing excess shedding.
4. Wash And Condition The Wig
Once the hair is moderately detangled, soak it in lukewarm water mixed with a moisturising sulfate-free shampoo. Gently smooth the shampoo down the hair and use your fingers or a toothbrush to remove any glue residue at the base or around the hairline. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly and follow up with a moisturising conditioner that will soften the hair strands and make them more manageable.
5. Soak It In Silicon Mix
For hair that is extremely matted and still tangled after conditioning, mix 2 tablespoons of Silicon Mix with some warm water and soak the wig in the mixture for 15–30 minutes. Be sure to cover the mixture with a towel or foil to create a greenhouse effect and enhance penetration. This treatment will make the wig extremely soft and easy to comb.
6. Gently Comb Out The Tangles
After removing the hair from the Silicon Mix, use a wide-tooth comb or a paddle brush to detangle thoroughly. Always start from the ends and work your way up to the root. Additionally, be sure to detangle in sections–this is especially important if you’re dealing with a curly or afro-textured wig.
7. Rinse Thoroughly And Air Dry
Once the hair is fully detangled, rinse it thoroughly with cool water. Then, dry off any excess water with a microfiber towel and place the unit on a wig stand to air dry completely.
8. Moisturise And Style
Apply a leave-in spray once the wig is partially dry and then finish with some hair oil or serum once it is fully dry. Your wig should be back to its smooth and shiny glory; you can now style and rock it as desired.
How To Keep Your Wig From Getting Matted
Detangle After Every Wear
Spend a few minutes gently brushing through your wig with a brush at the end of the day to stop micro-knots and prevent frizz.
Store It Properly
When you’re not wearing it, hang your wig on a mannequin head or store it flat inside a silky satin bag.
Avoid Using Too Much Product
Too many stylers and gels on a wig can easily result in matting. When using styling products, use only a small quantity to keep your wig smooth and tangle-free.
Protect Your Wig With A Satin Bonnet
If you sleep in your installs, grab our high-quality satin bonnet and wear it to bed every day. It is a non-negotiable when it comes to preventing friction against your pillowcase.
Avoid Trying To Colour Or Chemically Process
Unless you’re a pro, over-bleaching and DIY dye jobs can dry out the hair cuticles, causing permanent, unfixable matting, so avoid them. If you want a coloured wig, buy a coloured wig instead of trying to overprocess your original wig.
Now that you have all the tips and tricks needed to bring your wig back to life, go give your wig the care it deserves. Remember, before you ever think about tossing a matted wig, consider following the steps we’ve discussed—with a little patience, your hair will be good as new. Don’t want to deal with excess matting all the time? Get a good-quality human hair wig. The better the quality of your wig, the less likely it is to get matted. Consider getting some of our 100% human hair wigs to avoid dealing with this situation at all—they’re made to remain in perfect condition for over a year. That right there is the peace of mind you need.