Wigs are a great way to switch up your look, which is amazing. But even more amazing is when you can switch up your wig’s look to achieve a grander transformation. This could involve changing your wig’s color or shape. However, the most commonly asked question is if it is safe to straighten curly wigs.
This article answers this question and shows various methods to straighten curly wigs safely. Let’s dive in!
Is It Safe To Straighten Curly Wigs
It is safe to straighten your curly wigs. However, how you go about it also matters. For example, using a flat iron or heat on curly hair with tight curls is not advisable. Instead, get a second wig with looser curls or a straight texture.
Like natural curly hair, curly wigs only temporarily straighten after applying heat and styling products. So, you would need more heat to get them to straighten. Similarly, flat irons and other heat-styling tools expose your curly wigs to heat damage.
Therefore, it is safe to straighten curly wigs, but it’s best to do it on something other than wigs with tight curls.
Even on wigs with loose curls, it’s still best to keep them away from electric tools that are too hot. In cases where you have to use heat products, it’s best to use a heat protectant to help your wig withstand the heat.
Straightening your hair without doing this could fry it, making it weak and prone to breakage. But how do you know the amount of heat protector needed to avoid damage? Here lies the problem.
This is why it’s better to have a backup straight wig that you can use whenever you feel like alternating your look.
3 Different Ways To Straighten Curly Wigs
Straightening curly wigs can only be achieved through heat, which is usually damaging. However, the heat-styling tool you use for your wigs largely determines how well your wig withstands the heat. Here are some of the ways to straighten your curly wigs.
1. Using A Flat Iron
This method is best for human hair, as they’re more capable of handling direct heat, unlike synthetic wigs. To start, place your wig on a wig stand and spray it with a heat protectant. You can also use oil or cream if you’re working with a very thick wig.
This helps to retain moisture and builds a barrier that prevents heat damage. Next, keep your flat iron on low or medium heat, as curly wigs become limp under high heat. Next, clip up the wig and comb through in sections to detangle the wig.
Finally, flat iron each section. You can do this by sliding the tool on the hair from the root to the tip. Doing this helps you achieve better results and still handle the hair with care.
2. Using A Hair Dryer or Steamer
This method is for you if it’s a synthetic wig you wish to straighten. However, the wig has to be a quality one not to sustain heat damage.
To determine if your wig can withstand heat, carry out a heat test by taking a piece of hair from a part of your wig that’s not conspicuous. Place it under the dryer or steamer with the heat setting on warm.
If the hair frizzes or melts, it’s best not to straighten it. But if it doesn’t, you can move on to the next step.
Place the wig on a Styrofoam head and secure it with a pin at the top. Use a comb or wig brush to detangle your wig in sections starting from the bottom to the top. Next, hold each section at the tip to keep it in place when using a dryer or steamer.
Turn the hair dryer or steamer to warm heat and point the nozzle towards the selected section. Run it down the selected section a couple of times till it’s straight, and continue this motion for the rest of the hair.
3. Using Hot Water
You can use hot water if you have a synthetic wig that can’t take a dryer or steamer. The first step in this process is to place your wig on a Styrofoam head and place it in the shower. This makes it easier to pour hot water on the wig.
Next, detangle your wig in sections to prepare it for the hot water process. Heat a large pot of water to about 80°-85°. Dip the tips of the wig in hot water before pouring the entire water on the wig. Once the wig is wet, comb it with your fingers to straighten it better. Finally, leave your wig to dry.
Conclusion
When you’ve worn your curly wigs for a while, it’s normal to desire a change from those curls to a straighter texture. Using heat-styling products is usually the best way to go about this.
However, this method is often associated with heat damage, mostly because of how the process is carried out. But with a heat protectant and other wig care methods, you can straighten your curly wigs using a flat iron, hair dryer, or hot water without heat damage.
