Can You Dye Synthetic Hair? Everything You Should Know

Synthetic hair like wigs and hair extensions can add instant volume and length to your look, but can you dye synthetic hair? This article is for those who enjoy coloring their hair but don’t want to harm their natural tresses.

While artificial hair can be dyed, we don’t advise it. due to the differences between synthetic and human hair fiber. Synthetic hair cannot be penetrated by the dye’s pigments, whereas human hair can absorb chemicals and pigments into its shafts.

Many people look to synthetic hair to give their hair more length, volume, or color. It’s much better and easier to simply purchase a wig in the new color of your choice if you’re sick of the shade of your current wig and want to switch things up!

What is Synthetic Hair?

Polymers and other man-made substances are used to create synthetic hair.

It is available as various kinds of weaves, wigs, hairpieces, and extensions. For the grunge look, synthetic dreadlocks are fantastic! Do you know about hair tinsel?

Real human locks can be replaced with these excellent substitutes.

This type of fake hair can be a great alternative if you’re not ready to cut your own hair but want the extensions’ long-lasting style or just something different for a night out with friends.

Synthetic hair is great for:

• Using hair extensions to add length and volume.
• For a major event, don a fresh look.
• Try a new color or haircut for your hair.
• Simple to maintain and style.
• after being wet, returns to its original shape.
• less expensive than wigs made of human hair.
• cooler to wear than human hair wigs.

Can You Dye Synthetic Hair?

Any artificial material that people produce to mimic the appearance and feel of hair is known as synthetic hair. As a result, it is challenging to dye.

Synthetic hair can be dyed, though it is more challenging to do so on wigs than on highlight clips or extensions. Different types of materials and qualities are used to create synthetic hair.

In general, the higher the quality of your synthetic hair, the more you can manipulate it to alter the color without harming it. The way something feels and looks is a great indicator of quality.

The quality of some synthetic hair is lower than that of other artificial hair if it feels too plastic or looks too shiny. Surprisingly, lower-quality synthetic hair works best for dying.

Types of Synthetic Hair

There are several variations of synthetic hair, including:

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Kanekalon
• Polyester
• Acrylic
• Toyokalon

Due to the availability of fabric dyes for polyester and acrylic, these two materials are the easiest to color. Although dying synthetic hair always carries some risk, these two substances have the best success rates.

When dying synthetic hair made of polyester, dilute your dye with water and let the hair sit in the solution for an hour. Once finished, gently rinse with cold water. Dark polyester cannot be subtly lightened by dyeing.

Spray an acrylic dye onto synthetic acrylic hair after diluting it with rubbing alcohol. Comb the dye through thoroughly before rinsing with cold water.

Kanekalon, Toyokalon, and PVC are all dyeable, but there is a much lower chance that they will harm your hair. Spray the hair with a mixture of alcohol and ink (alcohol-based only) for these fibers.

After combing the color through, wait five to ten minutes before rinsing with cold water. Warm water will remove the wig’s color again, so you must rinse every hair strand in cold water.

How Long Does Synthetic Hair Last?

How long do synthetic wigs last? Wearing a wig frequently and the quality of the material it is made of have a significant impact on how long it lasts.

A bad synthetic wig may only withstand regular use for one to two weeks before beginning to fray and look tattered, while a good one can comfortably last between four and six months when worn every day!

These weaves frequently experience tangling issues, which reduces their resilience on a daily basis.

Combing them out before, during, and after use is a great way to keep their shape.

They typically last less time than human hair wigs because they are more likely to tangle with use.

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What’s the Difference Between Human Hair and Synthetic Hair?

How do human and synthetic hair differ from one another? For your benefit, we’ll deconstruct it.

Human hair is made from real hair, while synthetic is manufactured in a lab.

Synthetic hair can be used as a cheaper alternative to human hair, but it also has some disadvantages.

Human hair generally looks and feels more authentically real than synthetic hair. Better body movement mimicking is achieved.

Synthetics are preferable if you’re allergic to or sensitive to animal products, though.

Steps to Dying Your Wig

Here’s how to dye a synthetic wig:

1. Take precautions. To avoid getting dye on your hands or favorite shirt, put on some old clothes or an apron and put on a pair of disposable gloves. If the dye gets on your hands, you can wash it off with soap and water or a solution of baking soda and water. In any other case, it will shed in one to two weeks. To protect your floors, we also advise placing newspapers all around your workspace.
2. A big pot of water should be brought to a boil. The pot should be big enough to hold the wig you’re dying. When boiling water, be sure to measure the volume; you’ll need to add about 3 teaspoons of fabric dye for every cup of water.
3. Add in the dye. When the water has reached a rolling boil, add the fabric dye and lower the heat to a simmer.
4. Rinse your wig in water. It will be easier to dye the wig if it is slightly damp before you add it to the pot.
5. To the pot, add the wig. The length of time your wig is in the pot will determine how dark it becomes. When the wig has the color you want, remove it. Keep a close eye on it. Don’t leave your wig unattended while you’re trying to get the perfect shade—it could take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes!
6. When the water is clear, take your wig out of the pot and rinse it in cold water.
7. The wig should be placed on a wig stand so that it can air dry.

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Final Words on Can You Dye Synthetic Hair?

In summary, we donnot recommend synthetic wigs because they are made from such materials as nylon or polyester, which means they will not react to dyes in the same way as human hair.

The texture and material of the wig or hair extension will simply be destroyed by the ammonia and bleach used in dyes, causing irreparable damage.

Keep in mind that it is very difficult to lighten synthetic hair and that the fibers cannot be lightened more than one or two shades. To prevent color fading, you should only wash your synthetic hair gently with cold water after dying it.

We hope this information has helped to clarify some concerns about how synthetic materials behave. Start experimenting right away outside! Good luck!

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