5 Stylist-Approved Ways to Straighten a Synthetic Wig

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Get your synthetic wig sleek and shiny with our helpful guide

Co-authored by Nikia Londy

Last Updated: May 13, 2023

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Preparation

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Using Hot Water

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Gentle Straightening

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Extreme Straightening

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Heat-Resistant Wigs

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Expert Q&A

Almost any wig can be straightened, but wigs made from synthetic fibers require more care. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Nikia Londy
Hair Augmentation Specialist

Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.} Because the fibers are made from plastic, they are sensitive to high temperatures and cannot be straightened with a hair straightener. The one exception to this are wigs made from heat-resistant fibers. This article will show you three simple ways of straightening a synthetic fiber wig. It will also show you how to straighten a wig made from heat-resistant synthetic fibers.

Things You Should Know

Secure the wig on a styrofoam head with sewing or T-pins. Then, detangle the wig using a wide-toothed comb.
Put the wig in the bathroom and run hot water in the shower until the room is steamy. Then, gently comb out the hair again using a wide-toothed comb.
Remove the wig from the bathroom once condensation starts to form and transfer it to a cool, dry space.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Preparing the Wig

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You can buy them in costume shops, well-stocked arts and crafts shops, wig shops, and in certain beauty supply shops. You can also buy them online. They look like a human head, complete with a neck, except that they are made out of white Styrofoam.
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Put the wig head on a secure stand so the fibers can hang loosely. ^{[2]
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Expert Source

Nikia Londy
Hair Augmentation Specialist

Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.} You can buy a wig stand online or from a wig shop. You can also make own by sticking a wooden dowel into a wooden base with a hole drilled into the middle of it. Here are some other options for wig stands:
- A toilet plunger will work well for short and medium-length wigs.
- A soda bottle filled with water, sand, or rocks will work for short wigs.
- A camera tripod will allow you to rotate the wig head to any angle.
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Push a pin right through the top of the head, at the temples, along the sides, and at the nape. You can use either sewing pins or T-pins.
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De-tangle your wig with a wide toothed comb or a wire wig brush. Gently run the comb or brush through the fibers. Work in small sections, and start from the ends first. Work your way up to the top. Never brush a wig straight down from the roots to the ends.
- Never use your personal hairbrush. The oils from your hair will damage the fibers.
- Do not use a regular hairbrush. This includes boar bristle and paddle brushes. This can also damage the fibers and mar the finish.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using Hot Water

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Once you get your wig wet, you will not be able to brush it again until the fibers dry. Brushing a wet wig can lead to frizz and damaged fibers.
You will need to boil your water to a specific temperature range. Also, try to use the largest pot you can find so that you will have enough water to pour over your wig. The longer your wig is, the larger pot you will need.
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Expert Source

Nikia Londy
Hair Augmentation Specialist

Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.} This is very important. If the water is not hot enough, the wig won't straighten. If the water is too hot, the fibers may melt.
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Pour the hot water over the wig. ^{[4]
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Expert Source

Nikia Londy
Hair Augmentation Specialist

Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.}
- If you have a very long wig, consider dipping the entire wig (still on the wig head) into the pot for 10 to 15 seconds, then pulling the wig out. Place the wig head back onto its stand.
If you see some tangles, you can gently smooth them out with your fingers. Brushing a wet wig will damage the fibers. ^{[5]
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Research source}
If you are in a hurry, you can place the wig in front of a fan. You can also blow a hairdryer over the wig, just make sure to use the "cool" setting.
This method will usually straighten wavy wigs the first time. If your wig is very curly, you may need to repeat the whole process one or two more times. It also depends on how straight you want your wig to be. Let the wig dry completely before straightening it again.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using Steam for Gentle Straightening

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If there are any windows open, be sure to close them. You want to trap as much steam as possible.
How long it takes for the steam to appear will depend on how warm or cold the room was to begin with.
^{[6]
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Expert Source

Nikia Londy
Hair Augmentation Specialist

Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.} Always start brushing from the ends first, and work your way up to the roots. The steam will heat the fibers up and cause the curls to loosen.
Transfer the wig to a cool, dry place.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using a Hairdryer for Extreme Straightening

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1
Gather all of the hair, except the bottom section, into a loose bun at the top of the wig. Secure the bun with a hair clip. The only hair that is hanging loose should be the hair that is sewn along the bottom edge/hem of the wig.
- If you look closely, you may notice that the hair is sewn to the wig cap in rows. These are known as wefts. Pay attention to these. You will be using them as your guide.
This will keep the fibers from overheating.
The best place to grab this section is from the front of the wig, at one of the temples. This way, you can work your way around the back of the wig and to the other side.
Make sure that the section is completely tangle-free.
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Expert Source

Nikia Londy
Hair Augmentation Specialist

Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.} Do not use a high heat setting; this will cause the fibers to melt.
Once the section of hair is completely tangle-free, place the comb/brush at the roots of the wig. Make sure that the bristles are under the fibers. Hold the hairdryer a few inches away from the fibers with the nozzle pointing towards the fibers. Slowly move the comb/brush and hairdryer down towards the ends of the section at the same time. Keep the fibers between the comb/brush and the hairdryer nozzle at all times.
Once you have finished a row, undo the bun and let the next layer fall loose. Gather the rest of the hair into a loose bun and secure it once again with a clip. Use the wefts/rows as your guide. You can work with one to two wefts/rows at a time.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Straightening a Heat-Resistant Wig

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1
Use this method only on heat-resistant wigs. Some wigs are made from heat-resistant fibers. This means that the usual wig straightening methods will not work on them. You can, however, use a hair straightening on a heat-resistant wig. Do not use this method on any other synthetic hair wig. The heat will melt the fibers.
- The wig will usually say on the packaging whether or not it is heat-resistant.
- If you bought your wig online, the website will tell you if the fibers are heat-resistant. If the website does not say anything, the wig is most likely made from regular synthetic fibers that are not heat-resistant.
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Pull the wig hair up into a loose bun, but leave the bottom-most weft loose. Secure the wig hair with a clip. The hair that is attached to the hem of the wig should be the only part that is hanging loose. This is the first layer of hair that you will be straightening.
- If you look closely at your wig, you may notice that the hair is sewn into the wig cap in rows. These are known as wefts. You will be using them as your guide.
Select a 1 to 2 inch (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) wide section of hair. The best place to take the hair is from one of the temples. This way, you can work your way around the back of the wig and to the other side. Once you have your section, smooth out any tangles with a wide toothed comb. Always work from the ends first; never run a comb straight down from the roots to the ends.
Fill a spray bottle with water, then damped the section with it.
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Turn your iron on to the lowest heat setting possible. Try to get the temperature somewhere between 160°C and 180°C (320°F to 356°F). This will be the safest for your wig.
- Some heat-resistant wigs can handle temperatures up to 410°F (210°C). Check the website where you bought the wig to find out what is the safest temperature for it. ^{[8]
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  Research source}
You may see some steam, which is normal. If necessary, go over the strand a few more times until it is as straight as you want it.
Once they have cooled, you can run your comb through them and let them hang naturally from the wig.
Check for any ripples, and smooth them out with the hair straightener.
Once again, try to use the wig wefts as a guide. You can work with one to two wefts at a time.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can you blow dry synthetic hair?

Nikia Londy
Hair Augmentation Specialist
Nikia Londy is a Hair Augmentation Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Intriguing Hair, a one-stop solution for women from all ethnicities wanting to purchase high-quality human hair extensions, hairpieces, and wigs. With over 16 years of experience, she specializes in artificial hair integrations, hair extensions, hair loss, hairpieces and wigs, and non-surgical hair replacement. Nikia holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak State College and received her Cosmetology Certification from Blaine Beauty School. She is also a member of the American Hair Loss Council.

Nikia Londy

Hair Augmentation Specialist

Expert Answer

You can, but you have to keep your dryer on a low heat setting. To make things easier, split the hair into sections and blow dry them one by one.

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Not Helpful 1 Helpful 11
Question

Should I use conditioner on a synthetic wig?

Nikia Londy
Hair Augmentation Specialist
Nikia Londy is a Hair Augmentation Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Intriguing Hair, a one-stop solution for women from all ethnicities wanting to purchase high-quality human hair extensions, hairpieces, and wigs. With over 16 years of experience, she specializes in artificial hair integrations, hair extensions, hair loss, hairpieces and wigs, and non-surgical hair replacement. Nikia holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak State College and received her Cosmetology Certification from Blaine Beauty School. She is also a member of the American Hair Loss Council.

Nikia Londy

Hair Augmentation Specialist

Expert Answer

For sure! It's a great idea to apply some leave-in conditioner after your wig dries off completely.

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Thank you for your feedback.
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Question

What if I don't know what kind of wig I have?

Jadeyboo-Chan

Community Answer

Try using a comb (I used one that was made for human hair, but it wasn't used before) and wet it with warm water. I had a short wig so it was a bit easier. But what I did was I used that wet comb and started at the bottom layer without having to put the hair in a bun and whatnot. I combed it out, but the edges were flipped outwards (again, I had about a shoulder-length wig so it was already like that. If you have a longer wig it most likely will not do this). I slowly made my way up to the roots, and it was pretty straightened. Now, I used my wig for a Terezi Pyrope cosplay so it didn't need to be too straightened, but I would definitely recommend this method.

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Tips

Some synthetic fiber wigs are made out of heat-resistant fibers. The wig label or website will say if it is heat-resistant.

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If your wig is not straight enough, repeat the straightening process. Very curly wigs may need to be straightened two to three times.

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Use a wide toothed comb or a wire wig brush to detangle your wig. Never use your personal brush.

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Warnings

Do not brush your wig while the fibers are wet. This can cause the fibers to stretch, snap, and frizz.

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Do not use your hairbrush on your wig. The natural oils from your hair can degrade the wig fibers.

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If the wig won't straighten at all, check to see what the fibers are made out of. Natural fibers (human hair) and heat-resistant fibers will need to be straightened with a hair straightener.

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Do not use a flat iron or a hair straightener on your wig unless the wig is made from heat-resistant fibers. The heat is often too intense for wig fibers, even on the lowest setting. You may end up melting the wig fibers.

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