how to bleach wig knots

Bleaching knots on a wig is not as difficult as it seems. It only requires practice, and in no time you’ll become a pro. With the right guideline that holds your hands through each step, you can do it all by yourself and come out with perfectly bleached knots.

The procedures used in bleaching knots on a wig can be tricky. But you don’t have to worry, I’ll show you the ropes in this article.

Before we dive in, here is a list of tools you will need to get your desired results. Come along!

Tools Needed for Bleaching Wig Knots

Prepare these tools before you start bleaching the knots on your wig.

Mannequin Head: The mannequin keeps your wig in a firm and proper position to bleach the knots on your wig.

Plastic Cap: The plastic cap is worn on the mannequin to avoid stains and chemical reactions from the bleach, which may damage the mannequin.

Hair Bleach: This is the main chemical agent that alters the knots on your wig. It opens the fiber of the wig to permit transformation to another color. When you apply this chemical to the knots, it reduces the visibility of the knots.

Hand Gloves: The gloves help to protect your hands. Since you will be working with a chemical agent— the bleach, you can’t be too careful. Hence, wearing gloves will help you avoid any form of skin reaction or irritation.

Developer: Also called the activator, the developer is a chemical composition that comes in different volumes. The developer is mixed with bleach for effective bleaching.

It has a creamy texture made up of hydrogen peroxide— which is a chemical compound that determines the volume of the developer to be used for your hair bleach mixture.

Neutralizing Shampoo and Conditioner: The neutralizing shampoo prevents the wig from getting dry and appearing dull. To effectively wash off the chemical and oil contents from the bleach, this shampoo is a must. On the other hand, the conditioner contains proteins, extracts, and natural oil that makes your wig bouncy, smooth, and soft.

Don’t forget to put some leave-in conditioner on your wig after the process is completed. It softens the wig and also increases the durability of the wig in the long run.

Aluminum Foil: When applying your bleach, aluminum foil is used to partition the wig. It’s a coloring aid and can also be used for ombre, head coloring, lowlights, and highlights.

Mixing Bowl and Brush: The mixing bowl and brush are needed for mixing and applying the chemical components.

Hair Dryer: The hairdryer blows hot air on your damp wig to get rid of the water content. It’s fast and time-saving.

Detailed Steps to Bleach Knots on a Wig

Once you’ve got all the materials mentioned above, you can now proceed to the bleaching stage. Come along! Here’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for.

Step 1

Get your mixing bowl and pour some bleach into it. If you are using small packs of bleach, make sure you don’t pour all at once, because you don’t need everything for the closure. Use 1-2 packs and then pour some developer.

As a beginner, it’s advisable to use a developer of volume 20ml. The most common developer to bleach ratio is 1:2.

Then stir the mixture thoroughly with your mixing brush. Continue the stirring until you can’t see any more lumps, and till it’s thick enough to stick to your wig and not seep through your knots.

Step 2

Now place your knots on your aluminum foil and carefully apply the mixture made in step 1. For effectiveness, make use of your application brush.

Step 3

Apply enough bleach to the lace so that all the knots will be bleached. Once this is done, use the aluminum foil to cover the lace closure on your wig and leave it for 20 to 25 minutes. Note that the time and color vary, depending on the texture of the wig.

Step 4

For progress level, you should check your lace closure or frontal at intervals of about 5 to 7 minutes. Make sure you leave the bleach on the closure until all the knots are bleached. This will prevent your lace closure from getting brassy.

Then you can rinse it when the knots are honey blond in color. After rinsing, check again to ensure all the knots are bleached.

Step 5

The previous process should be done quickly, to prevent the bleach from sticking onto the strands. After rinsing the bleach out, wash the hair. Then put your neutralizing shampoo into the hair and leave it for about 10 to 12 minutes. After that, add conditioner to moisturize the wig.

Step 6

Dry your wig. You can make use of the hairdryer to get rid of the remaining water in the hair. Or you can just let it dry by itself.

FAQs

Here are the quick answers to the most commonly asked questions.

What Kind of Bleach Should I Use for a Wig?

According to my experience, I highly recommend using a 20ml volume of crème developer bleach so you can carefully monitor the effect of the bleach on your wig.

Do you Have to Bleach Knots on Your Wig?

Not compulsory, but necessary if you want the lace closure to turn into a color that blends with your scalp and skin tone. Bleaching the knots on a wig permanently removes the lace color. But if your wig comes in HD lace or transparent lace, you really don’t have to bleach the knots.

How Long do you Bleach Knots on a Wig?

For a perfect outcome, 20 to 25 minutes is good. Ensure you leave the bleach on the knots till the closure isn’t noticeable.