HOW TO DYE SYNTHETIC WIGS – 27 STEP BY STEP GUIDE
Many women love to wear synthetic lace wigs which of recent has become a fashion trend. It makes a fashion statement when you buy a lace wig, and you should be able to select from a variety of colors. But what if you are unable to find your choice color? It happens often, and in cases like this, you can opt to contact the manufacturers of the wig. If it happens you are unable to return the hair, or you are just tired of its plain old color, then you can change it by dying it to any color of your choice.
Dying synthetic wigs calls for a different approach from dying human hair. Human hair holds pigments whereas synthetic wig does not. This is because of the synthetic fiber makeup of the hair. Regular hair dyes cannot be used on synthetic wigs—an all-purpose or fabric dye is recommended instead. While carrying out the dying, it has to be ensured that the color does not come in contact with the lace and precise instructions should be followed to ensure it’s being done right.
What You Need To Prepare
l Hair clips
l Wig Stand
l A surgical mask
l Old Newspapers
l A flat plastic comb
l Nail Polish Remover
l Old unwanted clothes
l 1 Light colored wig for dying
l A Small Flat Dish/Tray for the dye
l 1 COPIC Marker Refill Ink in desired color
l 1 COPIC Marker Refill Ink in desired highlighting color
l A pair of surgical (latex or rubber) gloves
l 2 Squared / Rectangular Sponges, (any will do, as long as it has a flat edge)
While dying synthetic hair it is usually advised to have all the right materials to ensure the process goes relatively smoothly. Stains can be avoided by wearing old clothes and covering the working areas with old newspapers. Some of the materials needed may include rubber gloves, face masks—to limit inhalation of dye chemicals, synthetic hair dye. Also, synthetic hair coloring brush and plastic bowl for mixing the dye. A wide tooth plastic comb can be used together with or in place of the synthetic hair coloring brush to ensure even distribution of the dye color on the hair during the drying process.
Steps By Steps
1. Gather the Things You’ll Need, listed below.
2. Change into your old clothing, in case of staining.
3. Find a well-ventilated but not excessively windy workspace.
4. Lay newspapers on the working surfaces of your furniture and floor.
5. Set up your Wig Stand on a dry, newspaper-covered, flat and stable place.
6. Place your Wig on the Stand.
7. Put on your Gloves and Mask.
8. Squeeze about 5ml of Blue Marker Ink onto a dish.
9. Lightly dip one flat EDGE of the sponge into the ink, making sure that it has soaked up a moderate amount.
10. Lift an approximate 2″(125px) width of hair starting directly from the root of the parting with the forefinger and middle finger of your less dominant hand.
11. You should only be holding a thin top layer of the hair.
12. Pretend your fingers are scissors and you have to cut the hair. You will quite naturally position your 2 fingers parallel to your lips.
13. Place the inked sponge edge at the roots, above where you are holding and slowly slide both the sponge and your fingers TOWARDS yourself.
14. As you reach the end of the hair length, gently curl your wrist AWAY from you with your thumb gradually facing the floor while maintaining the position of your fingers.
15. The back of your hand is now facing you, and that works like a support for the sponge to color all the way to the tips.
16. Repeat throughout the entire wig.
17. Clip up the completed portions, so that they do not obstruct wherever you are working with at the moment.
18. It is best to revolve the wig stand, so that the portions you are working on face you, rather than you climbing all over the place to reach an uncolored spot.
19. Squeeze more ink as you need along the way.
20. Take the other clean sponge and a new dish.
21. Use the Darker Blue ink to give the hair ‘low lights’.
22. This is to create some depth, so that your wig will not look like a pile of flat colored plastic.
23. Use the Darker Blue sparingly.
24. Follow the same technique so as not to overdo it.
25. The ink should dry quite quickly.
26. Leave the wig out to air for 2 to 3 days.
27. Dispose of used materials according to your area rules.
Failure to wear protective masks and rubber gloves would mean inhalation and contact with harsh chemicals. The dying process should be carried out in a well-ventilated room to avoid excessive contact with the dye chemicals. When buying synthetic hair, it is advised to go for the products with strands distributed evenly throughout the hair piece. Also note that when dying synthetic hair, the original color to a large degree determines the result. White or blonde synthetic hair is quite easy to dye to much darker colors. But dark synthetic hair cannot be dyed to a lighter or white color.
If for any reason, you are uncomfortable with coloring your wig, no matter what type of wig it is, you should feel free to visit a professional lace front wig stylist to get it done. Many wigs manufacturers recommend returning the wig to get it dyed professionally because of the chemical process carried out in the production of these wigs. Damaging your wig while dying actually, means having to get a new one.