How I Keep My Type 4 Natural Hair Healthy Underneath A Wig

If you are not properly caring for your hair while protective styling with wigs, I hate to break it to you–but you’re not protecting much of anything.

It is easy to forget about our natural hair when we’re enjoying all the convenience of wearing a wig over it.

However, neglecting our fragile texture will only result in breakage and stunted growth. I use three methods to care for my hair underneath my wigs.

1. Create large, chunky braids.

As a starting point, I braid my hair in chunky braids when I know I’m about to get nice and cozy with a wig that week. I prefer large braids that are easy to remove over a typical beehive pattern. Since I usually wear some sort of large kinky ‘fro, I don’t have to worry about them lying flat.

2. Apply a leave-in conditioner over the braids.

The easiest way to condition your braids is with your go-to leave-in conditioner. Mine happens to be the Cantu Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream. I slather it over my braids, put a little extra on the ends and that’s about it.

Another easy way to moisturize braids is with a leave-in conditioning spray like Dark and Lovely Au Naturale Moisture L.O.C. Super Quench Leave-In Spray. It works well to condition and revitalize your scalp. Bonus: the mist is just a refreshing feeling after wearing a hot wig all day. This product is on the lightweight side so it works best on normal to fine density hair.

3. Oil your scalp every night.

I like to use a color applicator bottle so that I can apply the oil directly to my scalp. I massage it for a bit, then apply my conditioner to my braids and ends every night before bed. Oiling your scalp and moisturizing your ends is a fool-proof recipe to get well-conditioned hair. In addition, it will let your hair grow and thrive while in any protective style.

Watch how I do it

I walk you through my wig routine with a few other tips and tidbits. Have you worn a wig as a protective style before? Give me a thumbs up and let me know!

Want more?

Here’s how I create a soft Bantu knot-out (that only LOOKS like it could be a wig”>.

Here’s a quick tutorial on How to Avoid a Bantu Knot Fail.