How To Bleach Knots: A Step-By-Step Tutorial

Bleaching the knots is the best way to make your lace wig look more natural. Lace wigs have visible knots tied to secure hair strands from the lace. Bleaching the knots gives more visibility to the natural scalp, and the knots on the lace wig are not visible anymore. But how to bleach knots on a wig? Is there any specific procedure to follow? In this article, we present a complete step-by-step guide to bleach the knots. We also discuss the pros and cons and other important tips to follow. Keep reading.

How To Bleach The Knots: A Complete Guide

The lace wigs may have two types of knots:

• Single Knot: In this type, each knot has a single hair strand.
• Double Knot: In a double knot, each knot has two or more hair strands.

Single knots are easier to bleach than double knots and give a more natural appearance.

The process of bleaching knots can completely ruin your wig if not done correctly. It is because only human hair wigs can be bleached, and the chemicals in the bleach can easily damage the strands. You have to mix the developer and bleach according to the wig’s size.

If you are bleaching only the frontal hairline, you will require one ounce each of bleach powder and the developer. If you are bleaching the entire base on a full cap wig, it is best to take three ounces each of bleach powder and developer.

Here are the things you will need for bleaching the knots.

Things You Need To Bleach The Knots

• A good quality powder-based hair bleach (adjust quantity as per the coverage area)
• 20 or 30 volume developer
• Mixing bowl (plastic or glass)
• 1-ounce measuring cup
• Hair color applicator brush
• Disposable gloves
• Aluminum foil
• Styrofoam head with T-pins and mount

Steps-By-Step Procedure For Bleaching The Knots

It is crucial to prepare your hair for bleaching before starting the procedure. There are many ways to do this, including checking your hair health or stopping using styling tools before a week. Given below are stepwise procedures for bleaching knots.

1. Tightly Secure The Wig

Spritz some water on the hair roots. This helps protect the roots in case the bleach seeps through the lace.

Turn the wig inside out and secure it to the styrofoam head using T-pins. If it has baby hairs, make sure all the strands are secured well.

2. Prepare The Bleach

Put on your disposable gloves and mix the bleach and the developer. Follow the instructions on the product packaging for correct measurements. In general, the ratio should be 1:1 (one ounce each of bleach and the developer).

Stir the ingredients until the consistency turns thick and creamy. The mixture should not be runny. Otherwise, it may seep through the lace and affect the roots.

3. Apply The Bleach Mixture

Apply the bleach mixture around the entire front hairline. Swipe the brush gently and avoid pressing hard to prevent it from seeping to the roots. Leave the bleach on your lace front for 15-20 minutes. Watch the knots closely. The time may vary depending on the hair, so keep a close eye.

4. Rinse The Bleach And Wash The Hair

When the knots turn to your desired color, rinse the wig. You may use a purple shampoo to neutralize any brassiness. Apply a generous amount of conditioner, leave it on for several minutes, and wash off.

Quick Tip

Do not leave the purple shampoo on your wig for more than 20 minutes, as it may make the hair look dull and lifeless.

5. Dry The Hair

Squeeze the excess water with a towel and air dry the wig. You may also use a hair dryer to speed up the process.

Marie, a hairstyle content creator, experimented with bleaching knots on lace frontal wigs and concluded that it is an efficient and hassle-free method to achieve a natural look and seamless blending. She added, “Using a quality hair bleach is key to bleaching your knots and also for your overall health (i)”.

You may check out this step-by-step video to get an idea about the bleaching process.

Quick Tip

Do not use a blow dryer to dry a lace wig, as it may damage the wig.

Although hair professionals always advise bleaching the wig knots, it is important to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the process.

Pros And Cons Of Bleaching Knots

Pros

• Bleached knots look natural as the color matches your scalp color.
• Bleached knots help blend the wig seamlessly to create an illusion of a natural hairline.

Cons

• Bleaching may weaken the knots and cause hair shedding.
• The results can be uneven if not done correctly, especially in jet-black wigs.

Considering the pros and cons, if you are confused between getting bleached and unbleached knots, scroll through the next section.

Bleached Vs. Unbleached Knots: Which One To Go For?

Wigs with unbleached knots last longer than wigs with bleached knots. Bleaching affects the hair strands and may cause damage, breakage, and hair shedding.

Unbleached knots may appear unnatural as the hair knots are visible. You may use makeup and foundation to conceal the visible knots and create the illusion of bleached knots. However, you have to wash your wig thoroughly and reapply makeup every single time. Otherwise, it may cause scalp buildup and damage to the hair.

Both bleached and unbleached hair wigs come with their set of advantages and disadvantages. Both are cost-effective alternatives to hair replacement surgeries. Ultimately, everything boils down to your convenience. If you want your wig to last longer and do not mind reapplying makeup every day, go for wigs with unbleached knots. If you want a natural-looking and realistic wig, go ahead and bleach the knots.

Whether you are new or experienced in bleaching wig knots, it is always recommended to follow certain tips and basic rules to get the desired results.

Important Tips To Keep In Mind When Bleaching The Knots

• Ensure that you mix the bleach and the developer in accurate proportions. Otherwise, it may create uneven results.
• The bleach mixture should be thick and creamy. If it is runny, the proportions are not right.
• Avoid oversaturating the wig closure with bleach to prevent bleaching the hair strands accidentally.
• Always go for the correct developer volume for bleaching knots. If you are a beginner, do not use a developer over 20 or 30 volumes.
• Brush and pin-up all the baby hair and stray hair strands before bleaching the wig closure.
• Keep an eye on the knots as they develop a lighter shade. Rinse as soon they reach your desired shade.

If you have accidentally over-bleached your knots, there’s no need to panic. It’s relatively simple and quick to fix them. Read on.

How To Fix Over-Bleached Knots

1. Examine the over-bleached knots to gauge the damage extent.
2. Gather a sulfate-free shampoo, conditioner, toning or purple shampoo, tinting product matching your hair color, a mixing bowl, and an applicator.
3. Wash the wig with the shampoo to eliminate excess bleach and buildup. Then, deep condition it to replenish moisture.
4. Apply toning or purple shampoo to neutralize brassiness. Allow it to sit for the recommended time and then rinse.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine the tinting product with the developer following instructions.
6. Carefully apply the tint to over-bleached knots, ensuring even coverage.
7. Follow the recommended processing time for the tinting product, then rinse it out.
8. Finish with another round of deep conditioning to restore moisture.
9. Once your knots are back to your desired shade, style your wig as desired.

Infographic: A Guide To Bleaching Knots At Home Like A Pro

Wigs are a stylish way to try out a new hairstyle and can make and break your look. If you want your wig to look natural, bleaching its knots is the perfect solution. If you are a beginner at bleaching wig knots, the infographic below can help you. Check it out for easy-to-follow steps to bleach knots at home.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you bleach knots or dye hair first?

You must always bleach before using dye to achieve the desired hair color. Lightened hair will take on color quicker.

Do you bleach knots on HD lace?

No. Most HD lace closures are clear and do not need bleaching.

Can you bleach knots if the hair is wet?

Yes. Although the usual procedure is to bleach dry hair, bleaching is not a problem when the hair on the wig is wet.

Illustration: How To Bleach Knots: A Step-By-Step Tutorial

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to properly bleach the knots on an HD lace closure wig! Watch this video for step-by-step instructions and tips to achieve the perfect bleached knots.