You don’t have to be hairless to use wigs or other extensions with synthetic hair. In fact, many people use synthetic hair wigs to add thickness to their hair or change their hair color without having to damage their own hair. If you have a synthetic hair wig or extensions, it’s important to know what you can do with it without damaging the hairs.
If you’ve ever wanted to bleach your synthetic hair or wig, there are a few things you should know. First of all, can you bleach synthetic hair? The answer is yes! You can absolutely bleach synthetic hair. However, there are a few things to know before bleaching your wig, so you don’t damage it, and so it comes out looking great!
Keep reading to learn everything about synthetic hair, why you might want to bleach it, and how to do it properly!
What is Synthetic Hair?
If you’re reading this, you might be wondering, what is synthetic hair? You can usually encounter synthetic hair when looking for wigs, extensions, hairpieces, or any other artificial hair. Synthetic hair is man-made and with fiber-like strands of hair that are much more durable than human hair. Synthetic wigs are usually already styled and aren’t as prone to humidity, weather, or external conditions as human hair can be.
Synthetic hair is easy to maintain, effortless to style, and a great option for those looking for wigs. If you’re considering whether to buy human hair wigs or synthetic hair, the benefits definitely lean towards synthetic wigs.
Reasons People Want to Bleach Synthetic Hair
There are many reasons why people may want to bleach synthetic hair. If you have synthetic hair with knots, bleaching them can actually reduce the visibility of the knots, making a synthetic wig appear more human-like and real. This is because the knots will become lighter and more natural.
Another reason you may want to bleach your synthetic hair is simply to dye it. Bleach is required to dye dark hair into a lighter color, or else the color may not stick or show up clearly. If you want to dye your wig to match your style, try out a new color, or just do something adventurous, there’s a good chance you’ll have to bleach it first.
Can you Bleach Synthetic Hair with Knots?
If your synthetic wig, hairpiece, extensions, or weave has knots, can you still bleach it? Luckily, yes, you can! Synthetic hair with knots reacts just like other synthetic hair does to bleach. The only thing you’ll have to be careful of is making sure the entire strands are covered with bleach. You may have to maneuver the knots around to make sure you cover the entire surface area!
Can You Bleach Kanekalon Hair?
Kanekalon hair is a synthetic weave that can be made of four different types of fibers. If you use kanekalon hair, you can still bleach this type of hair, following the same general steps we will outline below!
Can you Bleach Synthetic Wigs?
One of the most common places you’ll see synthetic fibers is in synthetic wigs. These wigs are much more popular than human hair wigs, as they’re easier to manage, come already styled, and are not as susceptible to weather as human hair.
If you have a synthetic wig or are interested in getting one, you might want to know whether you’ll be able to bleach your synthetic wig. The answer is yes! You can certainly bleach your synthetic wig, just like you can bleach any other kind of synthetic hairpiece. However, it’s important to know how to bleach it properly so you keep the wig safe and so it looks great.
How to Bleach Synthetic Hair?
You can buy a bleaching kit from the store, but it’s easy to do at home! Simply grab a few things from your pantry like hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. You’ll also need gloves, a bowl for mixing, a wooden spoon, a brush to apply the bleach to your hair, aluminum foil, a spray bottle, hair clips to divide your hair into sections, and a hairdryer for heat!
1. Preparing Your Bleach Solution
The first step to any bleaching process is to prepare your workstation, bleaching solution, and your wig itself. Start by washing your wig with a gentle shampoo to make sure it’s clean and ready to go. It’s also a good idea to protect your floors by laying down newspapers, a tarp, or even an old towel or blanket that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Then, mix together the hydrogen peroxide solution. Here are the exact measurements to mix together:
- 1 ½ teaspoon of a 3% solution hydrogen peroxide
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- Mix together in a ceramic bowl until completely combined. Should have a paste-like consistency
2. Apply Bleaching Solution
Once you’ve prepared your synthetic wig, your work area, and the solution, it’s time to apply the bleach. Make sure you’re wearing gloves and have protected the area around your wig, so the bleach doesn’t harm your flooring or carpet.
Divide your wig into sections using your hair clips and apply the paste in generous amounts to each strand. If you just want to bleach certain areas for highlights, section these off and only bleach them. Once you apply bleaching solution, wrap the sections in aluminum foil. Let each strand sit for about 30 minutes with the bleach on it, or an hour depending on how bleached you want it to be.
3. After Care
There are a few more things to do to protect your wig and take care of it after you’ve applied your bleaching solution. First, when you’ve waited 30 minutes to an hour, it’s time to rinse out the bleach. Be sure to use shampoo when rinsing it out so you clean your hair as well. Dry it with your hairdryer on warm or cool.
After you’ve bleached your wig and dried it, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. First, don’t use too much heat directly after bleaching your hair. While synthetic strands are much stronger than human hair and can take a lot of damage, it’s still important to minimize damage. Wait a few days after bleaching your hair to use heat-styling tools like a straightener or curling iron.
Be sure to wash your synthetic wig regularly. This will help prevent dirt from building up and will keep your wig moisturized and looking great! When washing and caring for your wig, use lukewarm or cold water to minimize heat damage.
Never comb your synthetic wig while wet. Instead, use a wig brush when styling your synthetic hair or getting rid of knots, and only brush while dry. If you can avoid using heat altogether, this will help keep your wig in good shape. Avoid blow-drying your hair on high heat, instead of using a cooler setting or letting your synthetic wig air dry.
Summary
If you have a synthetic wig, extension, weave, or hairpiece, bleaching is possible and is a great way to add color, brightness, style, and life to your wig! However, it’s important to follow the general tips for making sure your wig stays in good shape during the process. As long as you follow these tips for bleaching your hair, you’ll be able to rock your bleached wig like a pro!
