Have you got a synthetic wig that is tangled up and fuzzy? With no clue on how to straighten and make it come alive again? Or perhaps, you believe that your synthetic wig cannot be straightened? Well, I’ve got some good news for you.
You can call me Tee the wig fairy, and I’m an astute lover and wearer of wigs. Over the years, I’ve learned various tips and tricks to care for wigs.
In this article, I’ll show you my top tips about how to straighten a synthetic wig and restore its lushness. Sit tight and read on!
Materials Needed to Straighten a Synthetic Wig
The materials you’ll need for this process largely depends on the method you’re using. Regardless, I’ll list out all of them.
- Wig steamer
- Hot water
- Hairbrush
- Hair straightener
- Hot comb
- Spray bottle
- Hairdryer
- Hair clip
- Wide-toothed comb
- T-pins
- Styrofoam wig head
- Wig stand
3 Best Methods of Straightening a Synthetic Wig
There are different ways to straighten a synthetic wig. They are listed below;
- Steaming method
- Hot water method
- Flat-iron method
Method 1 – Steaming
Here’s a detailed procedure of the steam method.
Step 1: Plug your portable steamer to preheat it. Afterward, place your synthetic wig on a wig head, then place it on a wig stand. Brush out to remove any tangles. However, be gentle when brushing so as not to pull out some hair.
Step 2: As soon as your steamer is hot enough, bring it close to the wig stand. Part the wig into segments, brush each segment, and turn the steamer to the segment. Do this strand by strand until the entire segment is covered.
Be careful not to place the steam too close to the hair, or to direct the steamer in one particular position. This will destroy the fiber of your wig.
Step 3: Repeat the previous step about 3 to 4 times until the wig is fully straightened. After the wig is straightened, allow it to dry. After the wig is dried, rub in some leave-in conditioner to make the wig soft and easy to comb.
Step 4: Carefully comb the tips of the wig to make sure there are no bottom tangles. Then comb from the base to the tip in a downward motion. Spray some hair serum or sheen, and your wig is good to go!
Method 2 – Hot Water
The hot water method is pretty easy and fast to use. Here’s a detailed step-by-step procedure of the hot water method.
Step 1: Heat some water in a boiler. While doing that, brush out the hair to remove any hidden tangles. Gently run the comb through the hair. Start from the bottom and carefully work your way to the top.
Do this in small segments until the hair is evenly brushed out. This step is quite important before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: After the hair is all brushed out and your water is heated up to about 150F or 180F, move to the bathroom or somewhere that can accommodate water. Afterward, pour the hot water all over the wig and let it soak up.
Repeat this process about 2 to 3 times till the hair loses any curl or tangle it may have.
Step 3: Allow the wig to dry overnight, or use a dryer to extract all of the water. Don’t try to brush the hair while still wet, as this will pull out the hair forcefully, damage the fibers and make the hair frizz. This is why it’s important you brush prior and not after.
Method 3 – Flat-iron
The flat-iron method can only be used for synthetic wigs that are made from heat-resistant fibers. Check-in with the manufacturer to know if your wig is heat resistant or you can simply conduct a heat test.
However, do not try this method if the synthetic wig cannot accommodate the heat.
Step 1: Plug the flat iron and allow it to get heated. Adjust the temperature to the lowest heat possible, somewhere between 223°F to 250° F (110-121°C) as you don’t want it to get scalding hot. Just like in previous methods, brush the hair gently from bottom to top.
Moisturize the hair a bit, and get it ready for flat ironing.
Step 2: After brushing the entire hair, pack it into a high bun. Start from the back of the hair. With the tip of a tiny comb, bring out a small section. Gently comb the section, moisturize a bit, and place the flat iron on it from the roots.
Step 3: Repeat step 2. Keep dividing the hair into sections and straighten until you get to the top. After the wig is completely dried, gently comb through the whole hair. You can spray some styling gel on the wig to restore some lushness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions relating to straighten a synthetic wig.
Can You Flat Iron a Synthetic Wig?
Well, this depends on if your synthetic wig is resistant or not. Not every synthetic wig will get burnt by heat. Some can withstand the heat. And at times, some synthetic wigs have a tiny element of human hair in them.
However, keep in mind that even if the wig is heat-resistant, you have to keep the heat at a minimum. Don’t set your straightener to the highest temperature. But if the synthetic wig is not heat resistant, you can use other subtle methods of straightening such as steaming.
How do I Know if My Synthetic Wig is Heat Resistant?
This is not difficult at all. You can check the pack your wig comes in, or you can simply just ask the manufacturer if the wig is heat resistant.
However, if none of this is possible, you can conduct a heat test by sectioning a tiny part of the hair, then place a straightener on it to see the effect of the heat. If the hair remains smooth, congrats! Your synthetic wig is heat resistant.
You can also determine if your wig is heat resistant by simply touching it. Generally, the fibers of a heat-resistant wig are smoother than one that isn’t heat resistant.
Can You Style a Synthetic Wig?
Most synthetic wigs are quite easy to maintain because they come pre-styled. Even when you wash your synthetic wig, it will restore its previous style. And this is because the style is often ‘baked’ into the fibers.
However, if you’d like to restyle, you can make use of rollers and some moisturizer to create some curls on the wig. Or you can just straighten it by using the methods mentioned above.
Final Verdict
Ensure you take careful measures when straightening your synthetic wig. However, make sure that you don’t straighten the hair too often, as this could damage the fibers of the wig. Also, take great care of your synthetic wig so it doesn’t wear out easily.
I hope you’ve found this article informative and insightful so far. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below. Stay beautiful!