Almost any wig can be straightened, but wigs made from synthetic fibers require more care. Because the fibers are made from plastic, they are sensitive to high temperatures and cannot be straightened with a hair straightener. The one exception to this are wigs made from heat-resistant fibers. This article will show you three simple ways of straightening a synthetic fiber wig. It will also show you how to straighten a wig made from heat-resistant synthetic fibers.

Method 1: Preparing the Wig

1. Get a Styrofoam wig head. You can buy them in costume shops, well-stocked arts and crafts shops, wig shops, and in certain beauty supply shops. You can also buy them online. They look like a human head, complete with a neck, except that they are made out of white Styrofoam.

2. Put the wig head on a secure stand so the fibers can hang loosely. You can buy a wig stand online or from a wig shop. You can also make own by sticking a wooden dowel into a wooden base with a hole drilled into the middle of it. Here are some other options for wig stands: A toilet plunger will work well for short and medium-length wigs. A soda bottle filled with water, sand, or rocks will work for short wigs. A camera tripod will allow you to rotate the wig head to any angle.

3. Place your wig over the wig head and secure it with pins. Push a pin right through the top of the head, at the temples, along the sides, and at the nape. You can use either sewing pins or T-pins.

4. De-tangle your wig with a wide toothed comb or a wire wig brush. Gently run the comb or brush through the fibers. Work in small sections, and start from the ends first. Work your way up to the top. Never brush a wig straight down from the roots to the ends. Never use your personal hairbrush. The oils from your hair will damage the fibers. Do not use a regular hairbrush. This includes boar bristle and paddle brushes. This can also damage the fibers and mar the finish.

Method 2: Using Hot Water

1. Gently run a wide-toothed comb through your wig to get rid of any tangles. Once you get your wig wet, you will not be able to brush it again until the fibers dry. Brushing a wet wig can lead to frizz and damaged fibers.

2. Place a pot of water on the stove and clip a thermometer to the side. You will need to boil your water to a specific temperature range. Also, try to use the largest pot you can find so that you will have enough water to pour over your wig. The longer your wig is, the larger pot you will need.

3. Boil the water to 320°F to 356°F (160°C to 180°C). This is very important. If the water is not hot enough, the wig won't straighten. If the water is too hot, the fibers may melt.

4. Pour the hot water over the wig. If you have a very long wig , consider dipping the entire wig (still on the wig head) into the pot for 10 to 15 seconds, then pulling the wig out. Place the wig head back onto its stand.

5. Do not brush the wig. If you see some tangles, you can gently smooth them out with your fingers. Brushing a wet wig will damage the fibers.

6. Let the wig dry. If you are in a hurry, you can place the wig in front of a fan. You can also blow a hairdryer over the wig, just make sure to use the "cool" setting.

7. Repeat the process if necessary. This method will usually straighten wavy wigs the first time. If your wig is very curly , you may need to repeat the whole process one or two more times. It also depends on how straight you want your wig to be. Let the wig dry completely before straightening it again.

Method 3: Using Steam for Gentle Straightening

1. Put the wig stand in the bathroom. If there are any windows open, be sure to close them. You want to trap as much steam as possible.

2. Run hot water in the shower until the room is steamy. How long it takes for the steam to appear will depend on how warm or cold the room was to begin with.

3. Gently brush the wig with a wide toothed comb or a wire wig brush. Always start brushing from the ends first, and work your way up to the roots. The steam will heat the fibers up and cause the curls to loosen.

4. Remove the wig from the room once condensation starts to build. Transfer the wig to a cool, dry place.