Almost all wigs can be straightened. However, wigs made of synthetic fibers require more careful care. Synthetic fibers are made of plastic so they are sensitive to high temperatures and cannot be straightened with a hair straightener, unless the wig is made of heat-resistant fibers. This article will show you three simple ways to straighten a wig made of synthetic fibers. In addition, you can also get instructions on how to straighten a wig made of heat-resistant synthetic fiber.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Preparing the Wig
Step 1. Prepare a head mannequin made of Styrofoam
You can buy them at costume stores, arts and crafts stores, wig shops, and beauty supply stores. You can also buy them at online stores (for example, Tokopedia). The head mannequin is shaped like a human head, complete with a neck, and made of white Styrofoam.
Step 2. Place the head mannequin on a sturdy wig stand so that the hair fibers can loosen
You can buy a wig stand online or at a wig shop. You can also make your own by placing a wooden peg on a wooden base and punching a hole in the center. Here are some options that you can use as a wig stand:
- The toilet vacuum can be used for short and medium length wigs.
- A soda bottle filled with water, sand, or rocks is perfect for short wigs.
- The camera tripod allows you to rotate the mannequin head in any direction.
Step 3. Attach the wig to the head mannequin
To prevent the wig from shifting, secure it with a needle. Insert the needle at the top of the head, at the temples, along the sides of the head and the neck. You can use a pin or a T needle.
Step 4. Comb the wig with a wide-toothed comb or special wire brush to untangle the tangles
Use a comb or brush with care. Do the combing gradually, little by little, and start at the ends of the hair. Continue combing to the base of the hair. Never brush a wig directly from root to tip.
- Don't use the brush you normally use. The oil from the hair will damage the fibers of the wig.
- Do not use ordinary hair brushes, including brushes made of animal hair and paddle brushes. Such a brush can damage the fibers and stain the coating.
Method 2 of 5: Using Hot Water
Step 1. Use a wide-toothed comb to carefully comb the wig until all the tangles are removed
Once the wig is wet, you won't be able to comb it again until the fibers are dry again. Combing the wig wet will make the fibers stiff and curly and can damage the fibers.
Step 2. Place a pot of water on the stove and clip the thermometer to the side of the pot
You have to heat the water to a certain temperature. If possible, use the largest pot you can find so that there is enough water to pour over the wig. The longer the wig, the more water it will need.
Step 3. Boil the water until the temperature reaches 70-80°C
It is very important that you get the recommended temperature. If the water is not hot enough, the wig will not straighten. If the water is too hot, the fibers may melt.
Step 4. Pour hot water over the wig
If the wig is very long, consider dipping the entire wig (which is still attached to the head mannequin) in the pot for 10 to 15 seconds, then remove the wig. Place the head mannequin back on the stand
Step 5. Do not brush the wig
If there are any creases, use your fingers to gently untangle them. Brushing a wet wig will damage the fibers.
Step 6. Let the wig dry by itself
If you're in a hurry, put the wig in front of the fan. You can also use a hairdryer, but make sure you use the "cold" setting.
Step 7. Repeat this process if needed
This method will usually straighten the curly wig on the first try. If the wig is very curly, you may need to repeat the whole process one or two more times until the wig is as straight as you want. Let the wig dry completely before trying to straighten it again.
Method 3 of 5: Using Steam for Light Straightening
Step 1. Place the wig stand in the shower
If any windows are open, make sure you close them. You should trap as much steam as possible.
Step 2. Open the hot shower in the bathroom until the room fills with steam
How long it will take for steam to form will depend on how warm or cold the bathroom was initially.
Step 3. Carefully comb the wig with a wide-toothed comb or special wire brush
Make sure you always start at the ends, and work towards the roots. The steam will heat the fibers and cause the curls to loosen.
Step 4. Remove the wig from the shower once the dew begins to form
Place the wig in a cool, dry place.
Method 4 of 5: Using a Dryer for Extreme Straightening Process
Step 1. Gather all the hair, except the bottom, and make a loose bun at the top of the wig
Secure the bun with bobby pins. The loose hair should be the hair that is sewn along the bottom edge of the wig.
If you look closely, you can see that the hair is sewn into the base of the wig in rows. This sequence is known as a weft. Pay attention to this as you will be using it as a guide
Step 2. Spray water on the hair in the bottom layer
The water will keep the fibers from overheating.
Step 3. Take a section of hair about 2.5 to 5 cm
It's a good idea to start at the front of the wig, at one of the temples. This way, you can work your way up the back of the wig all the way to the other side.
Step 4. Smooth the hair fibers with a wide-tooth comb or special wire brush
Make sure the part is completely free of tangles.
Step 5. Set the blow dryer to medium setting
Do not use a high heat setting as this will melt the fibers.
Step 6. Move the comb/brush and dryer down at the same time
Once the section of hair is free of tangles, place the comb/brush at the roots of the wig. Make sure the bristles of the brush are under the hair fibers. Hold the dryer a few inches from the lint with the spout pointing at the lint. Slowly move the comb/brush and dryer to the ends at the same time. Place the lint between the comb/brush and the nozzle of the dryer at all times.
Step 7. Repeat this process while moving up one section at a time
Once you've finished one row, remove the bun and let the next layer unravel. Take all the rest of the hair and make a loose bun again, securing it with bobby pins. Use weft /line as a guide. You can work with one to two wefts /rows at a time.
Method 5 of 5: Straightening Heat Resistant Wigs
Step 1. Use this method only for heat-resistant wigs
Some wigs are made of heat-resistant fibers. This means that the usual wig straightening methods will not work for this type of wig. However, you can use a hair straightener for heat-resistant wigs. Please remember not to use this method for wigs made of synthetic hair. The heat released by the straightener will make the fibers melt.
- Usually the packaging will state whether the wig is heat resistant or not.
- If you buy a wig online, the website will tell you whether the fiber used is heat-resistant. If the website doesn't say anything, the wig is most likely made from synthetic fibers that are not heat-resistant.
Step 2. Take your hair and make a loose bun, but leave the bottom weft loose
Secure the bun with bobby pins. Make sure that only the part of the hair that is loose is sewn to the edge of the wig. This is the first layer to be straightened.
If you look closely, you can see that the hair is sewn into the base of the wig in rows. This sequence is also known as weft. Pay attention to this as you will be using it as a guide
Step 3. Take a small section of hair and smooth it out until it is tangle free
Choose a section of hair about 2.5 to 5 cm. It's a good idea to start at the front of the wig, at one of the temples. This way, you can work your way up the back of the wig all the way to the other side. Once a section is done, smooth it out with a wide-toothed comb to keep it tangle-free. Make sure you always start at the ends and never comb straight from root to tip
Step 4. Spray some water on the hair
Fill a spray bottle with water, then dampen the section of hair to be treated.
Step 5. Turn on the straightener and select the lowest heat setting
Try to get a temperature around 160 °C to 180 °C. This temperature is safest for wigs.
Some heat-resistant wigs can withstand temperatures up to 210 °C. Visit the website where you purchased the wig to find out the safest temperature for the wig
Step 6. Use the straightener the same as when straightening your own hair
You may see some steam, and that's normal. If necessary, do the straightening process several times on the same section of hair until the result is what you want.
Step 7. Allow the fibers to cool
Once the hair fibers have cooled, you can comb and let the hair flow naturally from the wig.
Step 8. Repeat the same process for the other row of hair
Check to see if there are any wavy sections of hair and straighten them with a straightener.
Step 9. Once you've finished one strand of hair, remove the bun and let the next layer fall down
Again, use the weft / row found on the wig as a guide. You can work one or two wefts at a time.
Tips
- If you are not satisfied with the alignment result, repeat the same process. Wigs that are very curly may need to be straightened two to three times.
- Use a wide-toothed comb or a wig-only wire brush to untangle any tangles. Never use a personal comb.
- Some synthetic fibers are made of heat-resistant fibers. The label on the wig or website will provide information on whether the hair fiber is heat resistant or not.
Warning
- Do not brush the wig when the fibers are wet. This can cause the fibers to stretch, break, and curl.
- Do not use your personal comb for wigs. The natural oils from the hair can degrade the quality of the wig fiber.
- If the wig doesn't straighten at all, check to see what material the fibers were made of. Natural fibers (human hair) and heat-resistant fibers must be straightened with a hair straightener.
- Do not straighten the wig using a straightener, unless the wig is made of heat-resistant fibers. Often the straightener emits too much heat for the wig fibers, even on the lowest setting. As a result, you can end up with a melted wig.
