Bleaching knots is a technique to make closures, frontals, even wigs look more natural by creating the illusion that the hair grows directly from your scalp. When making a lace wig, the hair needs to be tied to a piece of lace, creating knots. The knots secure the hair strands on the lace wig, but it’s visible and other people can easily realize that it’s not yours. For this reason, bleach knots is a must. Now, let’s go ahead to get some tips for bleaching knots effectively.
Different Types Of Knots on Wigs
Single Knots
This type of knot is smaller in size and usually found at the front hairline of lace wigs. They are easier to bleach and give a more natural hairline appearance. The wigs that use single knots are mostly more expensive than others. These wigs are also lighter in density.
Double Knots
Double knots are more visible and bigger in size. They are harder to bleach because they use more strands. Double knots are typically used to increase the hair density.
Why Do You Need To Bleach Knots of The Lace Wigs?
When the hair is tied to a lace base and each strand is fixed, a dark knot will appear. Actually, it’s hard to notice these knots from a distance, but, if you look closely, they are obvious and look unnatural. Therefore, bleach the knots is an ideal option to reduce the visibility of the knots and make the lace wig look more realistic. The bleaching process uses chemicals to make the knots lighter. Bleached knots look natural since it makes the hair look as if it is growing from your scalp. However, you need tools, skills and extra care to perform the bleaching without damaging the wig.
When bleaching knots, the bleach can reach the hair strands making the hair weaker, so click here to know how to deal with this problem.
How To Bleach Knots Properly
Here are some materials you’ll need to prepare before bleaching the knots: A mixing bowl, hair bleach, developer, gloves, aluminum foil, neutralizing shampoo and conditioner. If you have a mannequin, turn the lace wig over and attach it to the mannequin’s head.
Now, it’s time to practice.
Prepare The Bleach Mixture
Mix the equal amount of developer and bleach powder into a mixing bowl. Notice that the higher the developer is, the lighter the knots will be. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure it is thick enough to prevent it from flowing through your closure and on your hair. Ensure the mixture doesn’t contain lumps.
Apply The Mixture
You should be as delicate as you can do with the knots when applying the bleach. Be careful not to press too hard to avoid leaking it as well as prevent your roots from being blonde. Use an application brush to dab the mixture onto the lace easier.
Cover The Lace Wig with Aluminum Oil
Be generous while bleaching to ensure that all the strands have been bleached. After applying bleach, use aluminum foil to cover your hair and let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Time will depend on the hair density and the color.
Rinse Out The Bleach and Wash The Hair
Do a strand test to make sure all the knots are bleached before you start this step. When the knots change into honey blond color, you can rinse it out. Quickly rinse it so that the mixture doesn’t get into the strands. Once finishing, wash your hair with a neutralizing shampoo and leave it on for about 10 minutes. If it looks orange and brassy, you can use a purple shampoo to tone the brassiness down. Then, apply conditioner to moisturize the hair strands.
Dry The Hair
Whether you dry your natural hair or hair extensions, we always recommend you to let it air dry or just use a towel to gently squeeze out the water.
How To Fix Over-bleached Knots
Mistakes are unavoidable when you bleach knots. For instance, the bleach may be too thin or too watery to reach the actual hair. Some accidentally press too hard, making the bleach leak.
Don’t worry if you have over-bleached your knots and made your hair roots look blonde because you can completely fix it. Below are two ways to fix your over-bleached knots.
Use Mascara
Although this is an effective way to repair the knots, it is just a temporary fix. All you need to do is to get your regular mascara and then brush it gently on the roots to cover the bleached areas. Then, air dry it or use a blow-dryer to dry it faster.
Use Hair Dye
Although hair dyes give your hair many side effects, it should be a permanent solution to match your wig color. You’ll need to prepare a bowl, a brush and a small wand-like mascara or a little spoolie. Use a spoolie to apply the dye to the hair. Make sure you do it gently to avoid pushing it too hard and accidentally dye the knots back to black. Let the dye sit for 25 minutes to get the best result. After that, rinse all the dye out and wash with shampoo to make sure there’s no dye left inside. Finally, use conditioner and leave it on for about 5 minutes, then rinse it out thoroughly.
So, are there any other ways to make wigs look natural without bleaching knots? Find the answer right now.
How To Make Your Wigs Look Natural without Bleaching Knots
If you don’t want to risk damaging your wig because of chemical treatments, try one of these two interesting ways instead of bleach knots.
Silk Top
Silk top is also known as the silk base. It has two pieces of lace and the knots are hidden by a layer of lace and silk fabric at the top of the cap in front. The knots will be hidden under the silk between the two layers making them invisible and giving a natural look. If you are a wig newbie, it will be the best choice because you don’t need to do more work on your wig. However, if you just have a small budget, you should consider before purchasing it. The silk top is quite expensive, so you can also choose to use a concealer.
Concealer/ Foundation
If you want a realistic-looking scalp but you’re scared of bleaching, this will be a great alternative for you. You can use a foundation or concealer to coat the knots and make them less visible. This option is especially suitable for those who only need a temporary cover.
Hopefully, this article is useful for you. Please feel free to leave your comments, suggestions and ideas.
Thanks for reading!
