Usually, wigs come in different weights and densities. But when a wig is too dense, so how to thin out wigs?
It can be challenging to style. Not only that, but it can look very chunky and unnatural. The good thing is that you can customize it to suit your needs.
Thinning out wigs is a good way of making them look more natural and easy to manage. No one will notice it isn’t your actual hair.
Today, we created a simple customization guide to help you quickly thin out your wig.
Let’s get started!
Why Wigs Need To Be Thinned Out
Typically, too thick hair is not ideal as it makes the wig look too poofy and unnatural. For this reason, people opt to thin out their wigs to reduce hair density and make them look more realistic.
Generally, there are two options for thinning out a wig; by a professional hairstylist and by yourself.
Thinning out a wig by a professional hairstylist or a wig specialist is crucial to avoid mishaps. This option is helpful, especially when you are not confident or comfortable thinning it out yourself.
But despite the expertise, going to an experienced hairstylist might be costly. You will have to pay for labor as it takes them a while to achieve the final look.
However, you can also thin a wig by yourself at home. Even though the process takes a while, you will be able to save up money.
How To Thin Out Wigs By Yourself
The process is not as complicated as most people might think. It is easy once you have the right tools and follow the correct procedure.
The Tools You Need to Thin Out a Wig
- Thinning shears
- Hair clips
- Wig brush
- Comb
- Hairpins
- Head foam
How to Thin Out a Wig (Step by Step)
When thinning a wig on your own, ensure you use thinning shears. Unlike regular scissors, the shears have a different cutting technique. [1]
The thinning shear has one side with fine combs that prevents you from giving the hair strands a clean trim. It only cuts some hair, resulting in textured hair with a natural look.
Here is a simple procedure to thin out wigs.
Step 1: Set Your Wig
Put the wig on and then determine where the bulk is. This will help in guiding you on where to trim. Then, place the wig on a head form and secure it using hairpins.
Step 2: Section the Hair
If the hair is too thick, section the top layer using a comb, then clip it off. Now separate a ¼ inch section to work on and clip away the rest of the hair.
Step 3: Thin Out
Place the blade side of the thinning shears on the top side of the hair layer and the comb side on the lower side.
Now pull the hair over the blade and cut. Then slide the thinning shear toward the tip of the hair and remove it.
Step 4: Comb Through
After thinning out, comb through the section to remove excess hair.
Step 5: Repeat
Clip that section away and move to the next part. Repeat the same steps till you get the preferred thickness.
4 Other Useful Tips When Thinning Out a Wig
If you want to thin out a wig, try to be as precise as possible. Here are some more tips and tricks to help you get desirable results.
1. Thin Out a Small Each Time
Ensure you thin out a small section at a time, and occasionally wear the wig to check how the thickness looks.
Checking the wig a couple of times helps you see how much more thinning the wig needs.
Remember, it is always easy to get carried away and cut more hair off. But adding more hair to the wig will not be practical. So, be careful and stay patient all the way.
2. Start at the Top of the Hair
It would help to begin from the top and work your way toward the bottom of the hair.
Also, ensure you concentrate on the middle layers of the hair rather than the outer layers. This way, the hair gets evenly distributed all through the wig.
3. Cut Too Close to the Root
Try to cut the hair very close to the scalp so you are not getting any short hair. You do not want to end up with short, stubby hairs sticking upward.
Otherwise, they will make the base of the wig look very puffy.
4. Eliminate Blunt Hair Layers
If the hair layer looks too blunt, ensure you correct them to end up with a nicely blended cut. You can achieve this by sectioning a small part of the hair each time.
Then, twist it and cut at a 45-degree angle toward the bottom, depending on your preference.
The more times you cut along the length of the hair, the thinner the hair gets at the bottom. Besides, this wispy look adds more texture to make the strands look like your natural hair.
How To Thin Out Bangs on a Wig
Several wigs have bangs that may be too dense and thick for some wig wearers. But you can easily thin out the bangs to make them look more natural.
All you need is thinning shears, a wig brush, and hair clips. Here is a step-by-step procedure to thin out bangs on a wig.
Step 1: Section the hair from near the hairline and clip the rest away. Then use a flat iron to straighten the sectioned hair.
Step 2: Thin out the hair by placing the blade side at the top side and the comb side on the lower side of the hair. Then weave the thinning shear through, clamp down, and slide the shears down. Cut about 4 times on the same part.
Step 3: Section more hair that you clipped away and repeated the same steps.
Note: Ensure you are working on entirely straight hair to get consistent results. Also, only use the flat iron on human hair or heat-resistant synthetic hair.
FAQs About Thinning Out Wigs
How Do You Thin Out a Wig With Regular Scissors?
Place the wig on a head foam and determine where to thin out the hair. Hold the hair between your fingers and let it hang down freely. Next, trim the hair across the entire length of your fingers while closing the scissors slightly.
Usually, cutting at a 45-degree angle would be ideal for preventing blunt cuts. Also, ensure you make small, even snips and avoid thinning the top layer to get a smooth, natural look.
How Do You Thin Out a Curly Wig?
Place the wig on a head foam and comb through to remove tangles. Then, section the part you want to work on and clip away the rest of the hair. Now place the hair between the blade and the comb of a thinning shear.
Next, clamp the thinning shears, ensuring you are cutting at a 45-degree angle as close to the scalp as possible. Slide the shears toward the bottom and afterward brush through the hair to eliminate excess hair. Repeat the procedure until you get even results.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the process of thinning out a wig is straightforward. However, if you do not have the time, or are hesitant, seek a professional to help thin out the wig.
So, how do you thin out your wig? Let us know in the comments below!
