How to Heat Style a Synthetic Wig Safely

Yes, you can style your synthetic wig with heat, if it's rated for it

A lot of people write off synthetic wigs the moment they hear "synthetic," assuming they'll melt the second a curling iron gets near them. That's true for cheap, unrated fibre. It's not true for us. Every wig we sell is made from heat-resistant synthetic fibre.

Heat-resistant fibre is engineered to hold up to styling tools within a specific temperature range, usually between 160°C and 180°C depending on the wig. That's enough to curl, straighten, or add waves and still have the style hold, without the fibre going stiff, shiny, or frizzy the way it would with heat it wasn't built for.

Check the rating before you start

Every product page lists the maximum heat for that specific wig. Some of our wigs are rated to 160°C, others to 180°C. Check yours before you plug in a tool set to "max," and stay under the number listed.

Prep the wig properly

• Style on dry hair only. Heat on wet synthetic fibre is the fastest way to damage it.
• Gently detangle first with a wide-tooth comb, working from the ends up.
• Use a heat protectant made for synthetic hair if you have one. It's not strictly required on rated fibre, but it adds a margin of safety.

Style low, then build up

Start your iron or wand on a lower setting than the maximum rating and see how the fibre responds. You can always go up. You can't undo fibre that's been overheated. Work in small sections, and don't hold the heat on one spot for more than a few seconds.

Let it cool before you touch it

This is the step people skip. Synthetic fibre holds its new shape as it cools, the same way a hot metal spoon holds its shape once it's out of the mould. If you run your fingers through a curl the second you release it from the iron, you'll pull the shape right back out. Let each section cool fully, ideally on a mannequin head or stand, before brushing or wearing it out.

Don't overdo the heat, even on rated fibre

Heat-resistant doesn't mean heat-proof. Repeated high-heat styling will shorten the life of any synthetic wig over time. If you're restyling often, keep sessions on the lower end of the rated range and give the fibre a break between heavy styling days.

Browse the full range in our Heat Resistant Wigs collection, every wig listed with its exact maximum heat rating on the product page.