Can You Dye a Synthetic Hair Wig? Should You? (2024)

Can You Dye a Synthetic Hair Wig? Should You? (1)

We live in a colorful world. And, naturally, we all want to use those colors to elevate our style, whether it’s sporting a traditional, patterned Ankara bonnet or accessorizing with brightly colored jewelry. But why should we end our color exploration with our clothes when our hair is a regular blank canvas?

But while it’s easy to dye human hair or human hair wigs, it’s easy to wonder whether the same is true for a synthetic wig. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can dye a synthetic hair wig or if you should, we’ve got the answers you’re looking for.

Can You Dye Synthetic Hair?

Yes, it’s possible to dye synthetic hair, just like it’s possible to dye fabric, food, and other things in your house. However, the question you should be asking isn’t whether you can dye your synthetic wig but whether you should. Dyeing a synthetic wig can damage it. Even if you’re good at dyeing hair, you could still decrease your wig’s lifespan. And if you’re inexperienced in the art of dyeing a wig, you could ruin it completely.

If you’re OK with your wig not lasting as long, then there’s nothing wrong with dyeing it. However, you will want to know how to navigate some of the challenges of this kind of project.

Challenges of Dyeing Synthetic Hair

Synthetic hair fibers are usually nylon or acrylic, meaning that they can’t absorb normal hair dye. So you’ll have to use dyes made for fabrics.

But you can’t use any color on any wig. Just like normal hair, you can’t dye hair a lighter color than it is. It’s possible to bleach a synthetic wig using a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. But if you’re inexperienced in dyeing hair, you may want to consider choosing a light-colored wig to dye to skip this step completely.

How To Dye Synthetic Hair

When you have your fabric dye of choice, fill a pot with water and heat it to a boil. Make sure this pot is large enough to fit your wig. Once the pot is boiling, it’s time to add your dye. Check your manufacturer’s instructions on how much dye to add to your pot, but typically, it will be around three teaspoons for every cup. Then, reduce the heat.

From here, slightly dampen your wig before submerging it in the water. The longer you leave the wig in the water, the deeper the color will be. However, you won’t want to leave the wig in the water for longer than a few minutes. Once the wig has reached the desired color, remove it and allow it to dry. Then, rinse out the ink under cold water until it runs clear and allow it to dry again.

Remember that heat can damage synthetic hair. You should consider this when determining the temperature of the water and the duration of the hair treatment.

We don’t recommend dyeing your synthetic braided wig, so if you need a braided wig, check out the over 20 hair colors we offer for most of our custom wigs. Then, select your preferred color from the color swatches.

Whether you want to wear a vibrant hair color or something a little more natural, Instant Arewa Hair has the colors and looks to help elevate your style today.

Can You Dye a Synthetic Hair Wig? Should You? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Dye a Synthetic Hair Wig? Should You? ›

These synthetic materials don't have the natural pigments that real human hair does, which means that regular hair dyes won't work on synthetic wigs. Instead, we recommended using fabric dyes that are specifically made for polyester and synthetic materials.

Can a synthetic wig be dyed? ›

Yes, it's possible to dye synthetic hair, just like it's possible to dye fabric, food, and other things in your house. However, the question you should be asking isn't whether you can dye your synthetic wig but whether you should. Dyeing a synthetic wig can damage it.

What is the best hair dye for synthetic wigs? ›

BTW: Using Rit Dye is the best method for dying wigs in my opinion. It's longer lasting, doesn't fade, and once it's rinsed out and dried it doesn't bleed.

What should you not do with a synthetic wig? ›

Using hot tools on synthetic hair can damage the fibers of synthetic hair. It's also important to be careful near ovens, stoves and open grills. If you prefer to style synthetic hair with hot tools, be sure to choose a heat-friendly option.

How to dye a wig at home? ›

Mix the dye and developer together in a plastic bowl before you apply them to the wig. Paint the hair dye into the wig in sections, or soak the wig in the hair dye, and let the color set for 30-40 minutes. Wash the wig with wig shampoo and conditioner, then pat it dry and finish drying it with a blow dryer.

How to change the color of a synthetic wig? ›

Steps to Dying Your Wig
  1. Take protective measures. ...
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. ...
  3. Add in the dye. ...
  4. Rinse your wig with water. ...
  5. Add the wig to the pot. ...
  6. Remove your wig from the pot and rinse it in cold water until the water runs clear.
  7. Place the wig on a wig stand and allow it to air dry.
Nov 29, 2022

How do you dye a synthetic wig without dying the lace? ›

Step 1: Protect the Lace
  1. Turn your wig inside out and secure it to your mannequin head.
  2. Apply some gel to the lace. Ensure that all of the lace is covered.
  3. Air dry or blow-dry the lace until it's 100% dry.
  4. Spray got2b glued spray onto the lace and then allow that to dry.
  5. Proceed with the appropriate dyeing steps.

Can I use semi-permanent hair color on synthetic hair? ›

You can only deposit color onto synthetic strands (like using temporary dyes, waxes, and even fabric dyes), but the results will be iffy at best.

Does Splat hair dye work on synthetic hair? ›

Splat is a stain, not a color, which is why it works. Any regular haircolor, even with a high volume developer, will not work on synthetic hair.

What is the lifespan of a synthetic wig? ›

They also come in a wide variety of colors and styles. A synthetic wig will last about four to six months (not as long as a human hair wig). They can be a bit shinier than a human hair wig, but there are ways to fix that when styling a synthetic wig. Synthetic hair wigs have a set color and style that stays the same.

How long can you wear a synthetic wig without taking it off? ›

While experts generally agree that you should take a break after six weeks, don't hesitate to remove it sooner. In fact, some adhesive types are designed for short-term use only, so the maximum length of time you should wear a lace front wig depends in part on the type of adhesive you use.

Can synthetic hair wigs be dyed? ›

While it may seem confusing because you can't dye a synthetic wig with regular hair dye, it's completely doable. First, make your hair dye, and then apply it and rinse it out. You'll be ready to style and rock your new look in no time.

Can you dye a synthetic wig with acrylic paint? ›

Acrylic paint won't show up on wigs that are dark. Go with a wig that's blonde, white, silver, or pastel. Acrylic paint also won't damage the fibres of a synthetic wig. Don't try bleaching a synthetic wig so you can dye it with paint.

Do you wash your wig before you dye it? ›

Before dyeing a human hair wig, it's crucial to ensure it's free from any dirt or residue. Begin by washing the wig meticulously to remove accumulated dust, oils, and debris. Allow the wig to dry completely or use a blow dryer for quicker results.

How to dye synthetic hair with Sharpie? ›

1) Take a sharpie, grab some hair, and start coloring. This is a very long and tedious process and takes a lot of sharpies depending on how long the wig is, but the results look very nice. Once you are done sharpieing the whole wig, rinse it in cold water until the water is clear, then let the wig dry completely.

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