Wig Product Buildup and Lace Fixes: Gel, Mousse, Crusty Lace and Lace Color

Gel, mousse, edge control and holding spray help you get a sleek, polished install. But too much product, or product in the wrong place, leaves hair stiff and dull and turns lace crusty and shiny. Here's how to use styling products the smart way, get them out, clean up buildup on your lace, and fix lace that doesn't match your skin.

Using gel, mousse and edge control on your wig

Do

• Use a little at a time. The more product you use, the more often your wig needs washing, and every wash wears it down a little.
• Put product on the hair and edges, not the lace or cap.
• Choose alcohol-free, water-based products for human hair wigs. Alcohol dries hair out.
• Use mousse for volume and soft curls, and gel for sleek styles and laid edges. Smooth it on rather than raking it through. A light, buildable foam like NaturAll JBCO & Chebe Ultimate Mousse is great for curly and coily textures.
• Tie it down while it sets. An edge silk scarf holds your edges and hairline flat while gel or melting spray dries.

Don't

• Don't pile it on. Heavy product builds up, so hair gets stiff, sticky and dull and attracts dust.
• Don't soak the lace. Gel and spray that sink into the lace clog it, make it stiff and shiny, and can weaken the knots that hold the hair.
• Don't use heat over a thick layer of gel or mousse. It can bake onto the hair. (Here's our guide to heat styling your wig safely.)
• Synthetic wig? Only use products made for synthetic hair.

How to wash styling product out

1. Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends.
2. Wash with a clarifying or residue-removing shampoo like Lemon & Rosemary Clarifying Shampoo or Naked Detox Clarifying Shampoo in lukewarm water. Let the water run down the hair. Don't scrub or bunch it up.
3. Still stiff? Soak the hair (not the lace) for 10 to 15 minutes in lukewarm water with a little shampoo, then wash again. An Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Rinse also helps loosen stubborn buildup in the hair (keep it off the lace).
4. Condition the lengths only, never the lace, so the knots stay secure.
5. Air dry on a stand like the Folding Wig Stand.

For the full routine, see how to clean your wig.

How to clean stiff or crusty lace

Buildup from glue, gel and melting spray makes lace hard, shiny and harder to lay flat. Here's how to clean it without damaging it.

1. Never scrape or pick at it. No fingernails, scraper cards, combs or stiff brushes on the mesh. That's how lace tears.
2. Lay the lace flat on a clean towel so it's supported.
3. Apply a lace cleaner or adhesive remover to the buildup, like C'ya Citrus Lace Cleaner or our Lace Paste Remover.
4. Let it sit so it can soften the residue. If some is still stuck, add more and wait again rather than pressing harder.
5. Blot or gently roll the softened residue off with your fingertip or a soft cloth.
6. Wash with a residue-removing shampoo, supporting the lace in your hand.
7. Dry completely on a stand, then check for stretched holes or loose knots before your next install.

If the lace is shedding hair or has started to tear, stop. Very heavy buildup near the knots is best handled by a wig professional.

Lace that doesn't match your skin

Lace too light or ashy

If you can see a grey or white line at your hairline, the lace needs a little color.

• Lace tint spray: turn the wig inside out and spray the underside of the lace from 8 to 10 inches away in short bursts. Let it set for about 30 seconds, then check it against your skin and add more only if you need to. Try our Waterproof Lace Tint Spray.
• Powder foundation: after you install, press a powder foundation that matches your skin gently onto the lace.
• Press the lace flat. Lace that sits unevenly catches the light and looks lighter. A melting spray and an edge scarf help it lay flat.
• Fabric dye for permanent color: some people dip the lace in fabric dye in short 10-second turns. Always test on a spare piece first.

Lace too dark

• Tint spray and foundation wash out. Wash the lace with a clarifying shampoo and start again with fewer, lighter coats. Waterproof tints can take a couple of washes.
• Dyed lace can't be made lighter. That's why it's best to build color slowly. It's always easier to add more than to take it away.

Tip: start with HD lace

HD lace is thinner and blends with most skin tones with little or no tint. Shop our glueless HD lace wigs.

Shop the lace care essentials

• C'ya Citrus Lace Cleaner
• Lace Paste Remover
• Waterproof Lace Tint Spray
• EBIN Wonder Bond Melting Spray
• Edge Control and Edge Silk Scarf
• Lemon & Rosemary Clarifying Shampoo and Naked Detox Clarifying Shampoo
• Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Rinse
• NaturAll JBCO & Chebe Ultimate Mousse
• Glueless Wig Install Kit