When it comes to bleaching synthetic wigs, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of bleaching a synthetic wig, including the necessary steps and tips to ensure success.
How to bleach synthetic hair?
It’s time to talk about bleaching. Bleach is one of the most effective methods for permanently coloring your synthetic wig, but only when the right chemicals and application techniques are used.
Prepare the wig or hairpiece for bleaching
Tie back all wefts except the one you’re working on so your chemcials don’t catch other hairs as they drip down, and place the synthetic hair in a bun. Wear gloves to protect your skin from getting stained during this process. Don’t use any clips or rubber bands while bleaching, these will boil and melt. Use only bare metal or plastic clips.
Select your bleach
Synthetic wigs are made of many different types of plastics, so you can choose the right type of bleach for your synthetic hair based on what works best with each individual polymer blend. For example, if your wig is made of polypropylene, you’ll want to use a hydrogen peroxide-based bleach.
Choose an oxygenated bleaching agent for the best results – this will work to break down the bonds in the synthetic hair structure, opening it up to receive more of the bleaching agent.
Apply the bleach
Using a tinting brush or toothbrush, apply the bleach to the synthetic hair in small, even circles. Be sure to avoid getting any of the bleach on your skin – it will sting and may cause permanent damage.
Let the bleach work
Once it’s applied, let the bleach sit on your synthetic hair for at least 30 minutes. You can leave it on longer if needed – just be sure to cover the hairpiece with plastic wrap or a shower cap so that the bleach is completely sealed in.
Rinse out the bleach
Rinse your wig until
Leave the bleach on for at least 20 minutes, but don’t go over 30 minutes. The longer you leave it on, the lighter your synthetic hair will become – but that means you’ll also be exposing it to the bleach for a longer period of time.
Wash and rinse
After the bleach has been rinsed out, shampoo and condition your synthetic hair as you normally would. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any traces of bleach.
After removing as much bleach as possible with cold water, wash and condition your wig to remove any bleach residue. Rinse until the water runs clear.
Use a clarifying shampoo to remove any traces of bleach. Apply this type of shampoo all over your wig, then rinse thoroughly to remove any leftover chemicals. You can also use dishwashing soap or laundry detergent (not laundry detergent with fabric softener) for this step.
Let your wig or hairpiece air dry
You can speed up the process by using hot rollers or a blow dryer set on the lowest heat setting.
Now that you know how to bleach synthetic hair, remember not to bleach it too often! Bleach should only be used for color-correction, not every time you wash your synthetic wig.
The more you use it, the weaker and more damaged your synthetic strands will become. If you want to take good care of your synthetic hair, a color-correcting shampoo will help you achieve the right balance without bleaching.
Conclusion
Bleaching synthetic hair can be a great way to correct any unwanted color, but it’s important to do so safely and correctly.
Be sure to use an oxygenated bleaching agent, apply the bleach in small circles, and leave it on for at least 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, shampoo and condition your wig, then let it air dry. Remember, only use bleach to correct colors – don’t do a full-on bleaching job every time you wash your synthetic wig.