Can you straighten or curl a synthetic wig? The answer is yes!

When setting a new curly or straight style, spray the wig lightly with a synthetic-friendly holding product to help the new shape last. Store curled or straightened synthetic wigs properly on a wig head or hang them upright to maintain the fresh style. With a little patience and the right approach, you can definitely straighten or curl synthetic wigs safely to achieve your desired look!

No matter which straightening method you use, always be gentle with synthetic wigs. Avoid excessive pulling, brushing, or heat, which can rough up and damage the delicate fibers. You can easily straighten most synthetic wigs with proper care and the right techniques. Here we will discuss easy-peasy methods to straighten and curl the synthetic wigs:

Curling Methods for Synthetic Wigs

Straightening Methods for Synthetic Wigs

 Flat Iron (Heat-Resistant Wigs Only)

This method only applies to heat-resistant synthetic wigs.

What You Need:

• Flat iron
• Heat protectant spray or serum
• Wig clips

How to Do It:

1. Begin with a clean, brushed synthetic wig.
2. Mist the wig with a heat protectant product, focusing on the ends.
3. Section the hair and clip away the sections you aren’t straightening yet.
4. Set the flat iron to the absolute lowest heat setting, around 250°F - 300°F max.
5. Clamp a small section between the flat iron plates.
6. Slowly glide the flat iron down the section from roots to ends.
7. Repeat on all sections until fully straightened.
8. Allow wig to cool before brushing or styling fully

 Blow Drying

A blow dryer can gently straighten and stretch out curls or waves in many synthetic wigs without direct heat.

What You Need:

• Blow dryer with concentrator nozzle
• Wig brush or comb
• Heat protectant spray (optional)

How to Do It:

1. Start with clean, detangled synthetic hair.
2. Optionally, mist with a heat protectant product first.
3. Section the hair and clip away untouched sections.
4. Use the blow dryer on a cool or low warmth setting with the concentrator nozzle.
5. Firmly brush down and stretch out each section with the concentrator airflow following.
6. Keep brushing and drying each section straight and smooth.
7. Allow it to fully cool before styling the straightened hair.

 Stretching and Setting

This method uses gravity to gently reset and stretch out the synthetic wig’s curl pattern as it dries.

What You Need:

• Wig stand or styling head
• Wig clamps or duct tape
• Water spritz bottle

How to Do It:

1. Secure the synthetic wigs firmly onto a wig stand or styling head.
2. Generously mist the wig all over with clean water until damp.
3. Take one section at a time and gently stretch it straight and taut.
4. Use wig clamps or duct tape to hold each stretched section in place.
5. Repeat stretching and setting all sections until the full wig is straight.
6. Allow it to fully air dry straight before removing the wig from the stand.

 Commercial Straightening Products

Many brands offer special straightening serums, glosses, or sprays made for synthetic wigs.

What You Need:

• Synthetic wigs straightening product
• toothcomb
• Wig clips

How to Do It:

1. Start with a clean, dampened synthetic wig.
2. Generously apply the straightening product all over the wig, working it through.
3. Section the hair and clip away the sections you aren’t straightening yet.
4. Using a wide-tooth comb, gently detangle and smooth each section as straight as possible.
5. Allow each straightened section to dry before moving to the next.
6. Once the whole wig is straightened and dry, you can lightly mist it with water and comb it smooth.
7. Allow to cool completely before styling the sleek, straight look.

Final Words

Always check if your synthetic wig is heat-resistant before using any heated tools. Non-heat-friendly wigs require sticking to heatless styling methods like rod sets, steam, hot water dipping, or overnight wrapping and setting. Using too much direct heat can melt, frizz, or otherwise ruin synthetic fiber wigs.