How to Thin Out a Wig for a More Natural Look

Brand-new wigs tend to be denser than we would like, which can cause them to look bulky or feel uncomfortable when worn straight out of the box. While wig manufacturers do this intentionally to give their customers more license to be inventive with their wig style, this can leave beginner wig wearers wondering how to thin out their wigs to match their face and desired look.

In this article, we will share our insights on the wig-thinning trend, providing step-by-step instructions for how to thin a wig at home, as well as highlighting the benefits of seeking professional help to achieve a more natural-looking wig.

What Is a Hair Topper for Women?

Thinning out a wig is an effective way to reduce its density, making it appear more natural while making it lighter and more comfortable to wear. Wig manufacturers are aware that many wig wearers will cut and style their wigs to make them more in keeping with their natural hair, but the thickness of some human hair wigs actually makes them more difficult to style. By learning how to thin a wig at home, you can make your latest hairpiece much more manageable, so that you can achieve the style you are after without the hassle.

What Do You Need to Thin Out a Wig?

Before you thin out your wig, it is important to equip yourself with the right tools to make the process as painless as possible. While there are techniques to thin out a wig with household scissors and generic hairstyling utensils, these are much more difficult for untrained hands, plus you risk damaging the wig fibres or the wig cap construction. Rather than jeopardise the condition or comfort of your latest hairpiece, we recommend purchasing the following products to thin your wig at home:

Thinning Shears – These specially designed styling tools feature fine teeth on one of the blades that allow only some of the hair to be cut, creating softer edges rather than the clean cut produced by regular scissors. While it is possible to thin out a wig without thinning shears, we recommend purchasing a pair of thinning scissors to avoid any costly mistakes.
Wig Comb– This will allow you to part your wig into sections to ensure its fibres are evenly distributed before you start the thinning process.
Wig Brush – The soft bristles of this styling tool will allow you to remove the excess hair without damaging the remaining fibres.
Wig Stand – Placing your wig onto a stand will give you a better impression of how it will look when it is worn, making it easier to style to your liking.
Wig Clips – These handy accessories allow you to separate each section of your wig, so that you can methodically trim each section at a time.

MARIGOLD-WIG-NATURAL-COLLECTION — Brushes and combs for wigs

How to Thin a Wig: Step-by-Step Guide

Once you have acquired all the necessary tools, you can finally start the wig thinning process. Depending on the length and density of your hairpiece, it can take between 30 minutes and an hour to thin out a wig at home, so be sure to set aside plenty of time and get yourself into a comfortable position.

1. Secure the wig to your wig stand – Place your wig onto your wig stand and roughly arrange its fibres into your desired hairstyle. This will allow you to identify the areas where the hair is heaviest so that you can focus on these sections once you start to thin out the wig. When you are ready, secure the wig to its stand with hairpins to ensure it does not move while you are cutting it.

2. Brush out the wig – Working from the bottom of the fibres, diligently brush your wig to ensure there are no knots or tangles that could cause issues when you come to cutting. If you come across any tough knots, use your fingers to separate the strands before brushing that section smooth.

3. Section the wig – Once you are confident that your wig is free from tangles, separate it into even sections with your wig comb, holding each of these sections in place using your wig clips. This will allow you to thin one section of the wig at a time, improving the consistency of the cut.

4. Thin out the wig – Remove the clip from the section of the wig you want to thin first and pinch it between the thumb and finger of your free hand. Taking your trimming shears in the other hand, position the blades as close to the root as possible and make your first cut. Gliding the scissors towards the tips of the fibres, continue to make cuts along the length of the hair, making more or fewer cuts depending on how much density you want to remove. For a more dynamic texture, leave some weight in the centre while trimming the wig at the roots and further down the length of hair.

5. Brush out excess hair – When you have finished cutting, brush through the length of hair to remove the excess fibres. Be sure to remove these fibres from the brush as you go to avoid them getting tangled in subsequent lengths of hair.

6. Repeat the process – Remove the clip from the next section and repeat the previous steps to thin out your wig evenly across the hairpiece. Remember to make cuts in the same places along each length of hair and take the time to remove excess fibres before moving onto the next section.

Can Hair Stylists Thin Out a Wig?

Learning how to thin out your wig at home can be an economical way to refresh your style without the expense of purchasing new wigs. However, one false move can remove more weight than you intended or damage the intricate construction of the wig cap, making the wig uncomfortable to wear or ruining its appearance. Unless you have a steady hand and are confident you can follow the steps provided, we would always recommend taking your wig to a professional hairdresser to avoid any possible disasters!

In addition to being one of the leading retailers of human hair and synthetic wigs in the UK, we are delighted to announce that Simply Wigs operates its own salon with fully trained in-house staff who are able to thin out your wig to your requirements. We are an accredited My New Hair Salon, so you can be confident that you and your fabulous new hairpiece are in safe hands.

When your natural hair is in need of some attention, you would not hesitate to book yourself in at the hairdresser’s, so we believe the same love should be extended to your wig. For more information about our wig styling service, or to get yourself booked in to thin out your wig with our accredited stylists, please contact us today to tailor your hairpiece to your unique look.