Lena Savoie
Synthetic hair can be dyed using alcohol ink. The process involves mixing alcohol with ink in a spray bottle and applying it to the hair. The type of alcohol used can be isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol, while the ink can be acrylic ink or ink from Sharpies or other alcohol-based markers. The longer the mixture sits, the better the colour payoff. It is also important to ensure that the synthetic hair is light-coloured as it cannot be lightened with bleach. The drying process is crucial, as hanging the wig to dry can cause dripping and result in an uneven application.
How to Dye Synthetic Hair with Alcohol Ink
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Ink | Alcohol-based ink, Acrylic ink, Sharpie ink |
| Type of Alcohol | Isopropyl Alcohol, Rubbing Alcohol |
| Ink to Alcohol Ratio | 1:1 |
| Dilution | Dilute the dye if the synthetic hair is curly |
| Application Method | Spray bottle, Dunking |
| Drying Time | Overnight, Minimum 1 hour |
| Rinsing | Rinse with cold water until water runs clear |
| Shampoo and Conditioner | Recommended for removing excess dye and alcohol |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your work area and wig
To prepare your work area, cover your workspace, preferably the whole room, and ensure it is well-ventilated. Alcohol fumes are bad for your lungs and can cause headaches. Wear old clothes and latex gloves to protect your skin and clothing from stains.
To prepare your wig, place it on a styrofoam head and secure it with pins along the hairline. If you don't have a styrofoam head, you can use a plastic bag over a foam head to protect it. Turn the bag inside out to prevent any print from rubbing off onto the wig. Prop the wig head on a stable wig stand to prevent it from falling over when you brush it. You can use a tripod for long wigs or a heavy bottle for shorter wigs. Before you begin dyeing, wash and dry your wig. Section off the layer of hair you want to dye.
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Mix the ink and alcohol
To mix the ink and alcohol, start by preparing your ingredients and tools. You will need a pair of pliers, a knife, gloves, a spray bottle, and a container. The ingredients required are ink and isopropyl alcohol.
Now, if you are using Sharpies or other alcohol-based markers, you will need to extract the ink tubes from the markers. Use the pliers to pull the Sharpie apart and remove the colourful front section to access the ink tube. Place the ink tube in the spray bottle. If you are using acrylic ink, simply pour the desired amount into the spray bottle.
Next, add the alcohol. The amount of alcohol you use will depend on how light or dark you want the colour to be. For a lighter, less opaque shade, use more alcohol to dilute the ink. For a darker, richer colour, use less alcohol. A ratio of 1:1 (ink to alcohol) is a good starting point, but you can adjust as needed.
Once you have added the alcohol to the spray bottle, ensure the bottle is tightly sealed, and then shake it well to mix the ink and alcohol thoroughly. The longer you let the mixture sit, the better. It is best to leave it overnight to get the most out of the ink casing.
Now you have a DIY synthetic hair dye mixture ready to apply to your wig or hair extensions. Remember always to work in a well-ventilated area to avoid overexposure to the fumes from the alcohol-based ink.
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Apply the dye
To apply the dye, you can either spray or dunk the wig. If you are using a spray bottle, ensure that you are spraying the dye evenly across the hair, covering all the layers, roots, front and back. Move the hair around as you go so that you are not just dyeing the top layer. You can also use a comb to brush the dye through the hair. Make sure you leave enough dye to cover the whole wig.
If you are dunking the wig, lay it on a drop cloth on a flat surface so that the alcohol cannot drip off the wig and take the ink with it.
The longer you let the dye sit, the better it will stick to the material. If you add the dye and then immediately rinse it off, it will not have time to stick. It is good for very light colours, but if you want the colour to be what is on the bottle (or close to it), let the wig dry completely.
If you are using a sharpie, grab some hair and start colouring. This is a very long and tedious process and takes a lot of sharpies depending on how long the wig is. Once you are done, rinse the wig in cold water until the water is clear, then let the wig dry completely. If you see any spots that you missed, go back and sharpie them and then rinse the wig again.
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Rinse and dry
Once you've applied the dye to your synthetic hair, it's time to rinse and dry it. This process will ensure that the dye is set and that your hair is free of any excess ink that could stain your clothes or skin.
First, thoroughly rinse the dye out of the hair with cold water. Be careful not to let the dye leak onto any parts you don't want to colour, especially if you're rinsing inside. It's recommended to rinse outside to avoid staining your sink or bathtub. Rinse until the water runs clear, which may take up to 10 minutes. You can also use a paper towel to wipe down the hair and check for any remaining dye stains.
After rinsing, gently blot or shake the hair to remove excess water. Then, lay the hair on a towel to air dry. Avoid blow-drying or using any hot tools, as this can damage the synthetic fibres. The drying time will depend on the thickness and length of the hair. You'll know it's dry when you can touch it without getting dye on your hands.
Once the hair is dry, you may notice some stiff sections, indicating that there is still dye residue. In this case, wash the hair with shampoo and conditioner. Regular shampoo and conditioner designed for human hair may be more effective at removing residue than products designed for wigs. Use lots of conditioner to restore the hair's texture.
After the hair is completely dry, brush it thoroughly. Now your synthetic hair is ready to wear and show off your new colour! Keep in mind that the dye may still rub off onto your skin or clothes, especially when it comes into contact with water.
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Tips for different colours
To dye synthetic hair with alcohol ink, you can use a few different methods with various tools. Here are some tips for achieving different colours:
Copic Ink
Copic ink comes in over 300 shades, and it is easy to mix your own unique colours. Since the ink will be diluted with alcohol, opt for a darker shade to save money and achieve a more pigmented colour. You can buy a few dark shades of basic colours (e.g. blue, red, grey) and mix them as needed.
Sharpie Dye
If you don't want to buy alcohol ink, you can use Sharpie markers. Remove the cap and pull out the ink tube with pliers. Slice open the tube with a knife, place it in a spray bottle, and add water. Leave it overnight. You can also add rubbing alcohol instead of water. The longer you let it sit, the better.
FW Ink
With FW ink, you can dye your synthetic hair with just a few simple materials. Avoid pearlescent colours as they will wash out. To achieve pastel colours, use a higher ratio of white to colour and less ink.
RIT Dye
RIT dye is used by theatre hair designers with synthetic wigs. You can darken a blonde wig to light brown or brighten it with non-traditional colours.
General Tips
- You cannot lighten the colour of synthetic hair with bleach, so start with a white wig or a colour that is one shade lighter than the colour you want to achieve.
- Synthetic wigs are made of plastic, so real hair dye will not work.
- Always work in a well-ventilated area to avoid overexposure to fumes.
- Cover your workspace to prevent stains.
- Wear old clothes and gloves to protect your skin.
- Ensure the wig is free of grease or hair products before dyeing.
- Move the hair around as you dye to ensure all layers are covered.
- Leave the dye in for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Rinse the dye in cold water until it clears.
- Do not blow-dry or use hot tools on synthetic hair as it will damage the fibres.
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Frequently asked questions
To dye synthetic hair with alcohol ink, you will need alcohol-based ink, water, a spray bottle, and gloves. First, mix equal parts alcohol-based ink and water in the spray bottle. The longer you let the mixture sit, the better. Then, apply the dye evenly to the synthetic hair, ensuring that all layers are covered. Finally, let the hair dry completely before rinsing it with cold water until the water runs clear.
You can use 70% isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol to dye synthetic hair.
You can use acrylic ink or alcohol-based ink, such as Sharpie ink.
To dye synthetic hair with Sharpie ink, you will need Sharpies, pliers, a knife, a spray bottle, and gloves. First, use the pliers to pull the Sharpie apart and remove the ink tube. Place the ink tube in the spray bottle, add water, and let it sit overnight. Then, apply the dye to the synthetic hair and let it dry completely before rinsing.
The synthetic hair should be light-coloured, such as white, light blonde, silver, or a pastel shade, as you cannot lighten the colour of synthetic hair with bleach.
