Women prefer lace front or full lace wigs because they are natural and comfortable.
However, the knots on the lace closure usually look so visible and unnatural that you can easily tell it is a wig. This is why you need to apply bleach to the knots!
Bleaching can hide the knots and ensure you achieve a realistic look. Like, the hair is naturally growing from the scalp.
Today, we listed some tips to help you quickly bleach knots on a wig.
Let’s get to it!
The Tools Needed
- Bleach
- BW2 hair powder
- Hair dye brush
- Measuring Cup
- Gloves
- Plastic bowl
- Aluminum Foil
- Wig stand
- Wig shampoo and conditioner
- Towel
- Wig comb
How to Bleach Knots on Wig (Step-By-Step)
Bleaching is a good way to hide the visible knots on a wig. Here are some helpful tricks to bleach a wig at home safely.
1. Fix the Wig
Flip the wig inside out and fix it on the foam/bubble head with pins. This way, the wig will stay firm and allow for easy manipulation.
Then, brush the baby hairs towards the back and pin them to ensure they are out of the way. It would be best to keep them from bleaching; otherwise, you will ruin their color.
Quick Tip: You can spray water on the root of hair strands. The water coats the roots and protects them from bleach in case it leaks or slips through the lace.
2. Prepare Bleach Mixture
Add about two scoops of the BW 2 hair powder into a bowl. Pour the developer gradually as you stir. You can choose to add 20, 30, or 40 volume developer, depending on your choice. [1]
The difference between these developers is that 20 volume is lighter and would change your hair color by 1-2 shades. In comparison, 40 developer is a little quicker and would lift the hair color by 3-4 levels.
I recommend using the 20 developer because it is unlikely that you will lighten the knots too much. You can leave it for longer than the 30 or 40 developer without worrying about over bleaching.
Consistency is very key to how the lace will turn out. Ensure you blend the mixture until it forms a thickness more like toothpaste. You want it not to be too thick but also not too thin.
If it is too thick or chunky, the mixture will sit on top and prevent the bleach from spreading in every spot. On the contrary, the thin mixture will run through the lace and bleach the roots of the hair.
Note: Put on a pair of gloves before you start blending the bleach. The gloves protect your hands and keep you safe from the burning sensation caused by the bleach chemicals.
3. Apply Bleach Mixture
Use a hair dye brush to apply the bleach. You have to be very cautious during application.
You do not put too much pressure, or it will run through and bleach the roots. Instead, lightly spread the product by gently dabbing so the bleach doesn’t slip through the lace.
Note: You can use air canisters to sort of spray air onto the mixture. As a result, the mixture stays a bit spongy and won’t run easily.
During application, ensure the bleach covers the entire wig closure; if not, it will fail to bleach all the knots.
Again, most people usually forget to bleach the front hairline, so be keen not to forget it!
Cover the bleached knots with aluminum foil and leave it for some time, depending on the developer used.
Another mistake you should not make is to over bleach the knots. Despite making the wig’s root more natural, over bleaching can make the hair more fragile and prone to breakage, thus reducing its lifespan.
When the closure is overly bleached, it turns to a funky yellow color, especially for a black hair wig. The result will be blond roots on black hair, which is unnatural. So, be careful and prompt with the bleaching time.
Here is an approximation bleach timing form.
Developer | Timing (Minutes) |
20 Volume | 20 |
30 Volume | 15 |
40 Volume | 10 |
Note: You can start bleaching a small section using 20 volume, keep track of time and see how light it will be. If need be, you can repeat another round. From there, you can weigh your options and see how long you can bleach.
4. Wash and Dry
Run cold water over the wig once the time is out. Then, wash the lace closure thoroughly with wig shampoo to stop processing the chemicals. The shampoo will remove bleach from the hair and help tone your knots.
Next, rinse the wig once more with cold water until the water runs clear. Ensure there is no residue left on the wig lace after rinsing.
Apply a generous wig conditioner to moisturize and prevent it from drying out. Then, rinse it thoroughly once more.
Finally, dab the wig on a clean towel to remove excess water. Then put it in a wig stand and let it air dry naturally.
5. Apply a Knot Sealer
Use a knot sealer on the wig cap to minimize natural shedding and increase the longevity of your wig unit.
To apply a knot sealer:
- Begin by turning the wig inside out and carefully fixing it on a wig stand.
- Shake the knot sealer container very well, spritz it in the wig closure and let it air dry.
- Do not forget to spritz on the lace hairline.
Ensure you don’t over spray the knot sealer since you will do a couple of layers. Once the wig is dry, spritz it once more. Finally, use a wig comb to detangle your wig and style as desired.
Note: Do not spray near a fire source since the knot sealer contains alcohol, hence flammable.
FAQs About Bleaching Knots on Wig
Do You Pluck the Wig or Bleach Knots First?
Bleach the knots first and then pluck. Bleaching the knots first is ideal since some knots are usually more bleach-resistant than others. After the process, you can identify and pluck out the knots resistant to bleaching.
How Do You Fix Over Bleached Knots on a Wig?
If you heavily bleached the knots, try to fix the problem temporarily using mascara. Do so by brushing a little mascara on the overly bleached knots. This will mask the affected areas and make them look natural again.
Another trick would be a permanent fix, which involves using a dye that is the same shade as your wig. Mix the dye and gently apply it to the affected areas using a lash brush. Allow the dye to sit for about 30 minutes, then rinse the hair with cold water.
Can You Bleach the Knots on a Synthetic Wig?
You cannot bleach the knots on a synthetic wig. However, you can use a turning spray on the wig lace to make it look as though you have bleached. I recommend using a Sally Hansen Spray closest to your skin tone.
To bleach the knots, take your wig, turn it inside out and lightly spray the wig closure. Then, use a wet towel or baby wipes to clean the hair strands that accidentally catch the spray. Finally, blow dry the lace at a low heat setting, so the color does not rub off.
Final Thoughts
Now, you already know how to bleach knots on a wig to achieve a natural look. Follow the above instructions closely to do it the right way. However, the process would be lengthy, and you can consider buying quality pre-bleached wigs online.