How to bleach knots on a wig for beginners?

What are bleached knots before and after look like? Let’s dive into this excellent transformation and discover how bleached knots elevates the natural look of lace wigs!

Lace wigs are popular in the beauty and fashion market. These wigs are a great choice to create a flawless and natural hairstyle.

What makes them look seamless is the bleaching knots. So what are bleached knots before and after look like?

You might want to go with Jen Hair to dive into the excellent transformation of bleached knots before and after. Take a look at know bleached knots elevates the natural look of lace wigs!

What are Bleached Knots on a Wig?

When people make wigs, they tie hair to a see-through base that looks like a scalp. This base is usually made of lace or a thin mesh. The hair is tied on in small knots to keep it in place. But these knots can be visible, which doesn’t look like natural hair growing from a real scalp.

To solve this problem, wig makers use a trick called “bleaching knots.” They apply a special lightening chemical, like hair bleach, to the knots. This makes the knots much lighter in color. When the knots are lighter, they’re harder to see against the wearer’s scalp or the wig base.

Bleached knots help the wig look more realistic. When the knots are hidden, it looks like the hair grows directly out of the scalp. This is especially helpful for making the hairline where the hair starts on the forehead. Also, it helps the part in the hair look natural.

This technique is used a lot in high-quality wigs. It helps people feel more confident because their wig looks natural hair. Bleached knots are just one of many tricks to create natural wigs.

How to bleach knots on a wig
There are two types of wig knots: single knots and double knots. Source: Mscici Hair

Bleached Knots Before and After

What do unbleached knots look like?

Unbleached knots make the hair strands tied onto the lace or mesh base visible. This visibility creates small dark dots or specks on the scalp. That makes the wig’s hairline and parting look less natural. 

Unbleached knots is noticeable on darker lace or when the wig is styled with a deep parting. The visible knots can undermine the overall realism of the wig, making it more apparent to be wearing a wig rather than having natural hair.

Furthermore, unbleached knots limit the styling options of the wig. Since the knots are visible, hairstyles like updos or high ponytails are impossible. They may expose the knots and detract from the desired natural look. This is a limitation for those who want to experiment with different hairstyles.

Bleaching the knots
Bleaching the knots makes your wig look more realistic. Source: Yeswigs

Bleached Knots Techniques and Methods

  • Classic bleaching method

The most common way to hide knots on a wig is called the classic bleaching method. You can start by getting a bleaching product. It can be either a powder or a cream. 

Then, you take a small brush and put the bleach on the knots of the wig. It’s important to be precise and not get bleach on other parts of the wig. This process makes the knots lighter in color. As a result, it helps them blend in and become less noticeable.

In this technique of bleached knots before and after, the wig is left to process for a specific amount of time. A wig with visibly lighter knots can blend more seamlessly with the wearer’s scalp or the lace.

Tools for bleaching knots
Tools for bleaching knots on a wig. Source: Goodhousekeeping
  • Reverse knot bleaching

Reverse knot bleaching is used when dealing with darker-colored lace or knots. Instead of applying bleach directly onto the knots, this method first applies a color remover or lightning solution to the entire lace or mesh base. This process helps lighten the overall color of the base, including the knots.

The wig is rinsed after the color remover is applied and processed according to the product’s instructions. The next step involves applying a bleach solution to the knots, targeting them for additional lightening.

  • Single knot bleaching

Single-knot bleaching is a technique used to address the knots in the front hairline of a wig. The front hairline is most prone to being noticed, so achieving a natural look in this section is crucial.

In this bleached knots before and after method, each knot in the front hairline is bleached one at a time. This allows for finer control over the lightning process because the knots are lightened to an optimal level without compromising the integrity of the wig.

how to bleach knots on a wig
Gently dab the bleach onto the lace with an applicator brush. Source: Ashley Bedeck

Step-by-step guide for bleaching knots

Step 1:Sectioning and Securing the Hair System

Start by sectioning off the hair system to ensure better control and accessibility during bleaching. You can use hair clips or ties to secure the hair system into manageable sections. This step helps prevent accidental contact of the bleach solution with untargeted areas, such as the hair strands or the lace base.

Step 2: Mixing and Applying the Bleach Solution

First, make the bleach mix. Follow the instructions on the package. Usually, you mix the bleach powder or cream with another liquid that makes it work.

Do this in a room with good air flow. Wear gloves to protect your hands.

Use a tiny brush to put the bleach on the knots. Be careful to only get it on the knots. If it touches other parts, it can hurt the wig.

Work slowly. Start at the front of the wig and move to the back.

How to bleach knots on a wig
Hang the lace frontal on a wig hanger for easy storage. Source: Nikki Smith Hair Collection

Step3: Monitoring the Processing Time

Once the bleach solution is applied, closely monitor the processing time. Don’t leave it on too long to avoid damaging the knots.

While you wait, you can check how it’s going. Gently wipe some bleach off a knot with a wet cloth or paper towel. This lets you see if the knots are light enough yet.

Remember, it’s better to check often than to leave the bleach on for too long. If the knots aren’t light enough, you can always bleach them again later.

Step 4: Rinsing and Conditioning the Hair System

When the knots look light enough, it’s time to wash off the bleach. Here’s how:

  • Rinse the wig with warm water until the water looks clear. This means all the bleach is gone.
  • Next, wash the wig with mild shampoo. Be extra careful around the bleached knots.
  • Then, put conditioner on the wig, especially on the long parts and ends. Let it sit on the knots for a few minutes before washing it off.
  • Lastly, gently squeeze water out of the wig. Pat it dry with a clean towel. Don’t rub hard, or you might tangle or hurt the hair.
How to bleach knots on a wig
The process of bleaching knots requires a lot of scrupulousness. Source: Pinterest

Post-bleaching care

After bleaching knots on a wig, it is crucial to follow proper care and maintenance routines. It will ensure the longevity and continued beauty of the hair system.

Avoid Chemicals and Heat

Be gentle with your wig to keep it looking good:

Don’t use strong chemicals. Things like strong hair dyes or powerful hair products can hurt the wig and undo the bleaching.

Be careful with heat. Try not to use hot tools like hair straighteners or curling irons. They can damage the hair and make the bleached knots look bad.

If you need to use hot tools:

  • Use a spray that protects from heat.
  • Keep the tools at medium heat, not too hot.

Washing and Conditioning

When it’s time to wash your wig:

  • Use a mild shampoo. Pick one that’s made for wigs or dyed hair. These are gentler and won’t have harsh ingredients that can hurt your wig.
  • Look for shampoos that say they add moisture. This helps keep the wig’s hair soft and healthy.
  • Be very gentle when you wash. Don’t rub or scrub hard. This can tangle the hair or damage it.
  • After washing, use a moisturizing conditioner. Put it mostly on the long parts and ends of the hair. This makes the wig soft and easy to style.

Regular Touch-Ups

Over time, the bleached knots on the wig start to fade or become more visible again. Consider scheduling regular touch-up sessions to re-bleach the knots as needed to maintain the natural appearance. This will help ensure that the hairline and parting look realistic.

What shampoo to use after bleaching knots?

  • Argan Shampoo and Conditioner
  • L’Oreal Paris EverPure Shampoo
  • Clairol Professional Shampoo
Wait until the knot turns a honey-blonde color
Wait until the knot turns a honey-blonde color, then wash it. Source: Newtimeshair

2. What are the disadvantages of bleaching knots?

Although bleaching makes knots look exactly the same as wig hair growing from your scalp, it may cause harsh damage. In other words, the bleaching process could make the knots become dry and brittle over time, resulting in the breakage and shedding of the hair. Furthermore, the results can be uneven if not done correctly, and the shedding piece might eventually become too thin to wear.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, to achieve the most natural-looking scalp, learning how to bleach knots on a wig is a great solution. Generally, here is our tutorial about how to bleach knots on a wig for you to practice at home easily and conveniently. We have carefully prepared for you five steps to create the illusion of a natural hairline.

Jen Hair hopes you can follow these steps easily without having any difficulties. Help us share this article if you think it is useful to read and check out our posts for more information.

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