Things You'll Need:
* Spray Bottle with Water: (Distilled or filtered water is best to avoid mineral buildup)
* Wide-Tooth Comb: (Important to avoid pulling or breaking the hair)
* Metal Bristle Brush: (Needed to brush hair out)
* Towel: (To protect surfaces)
* Low-Heat Hair Straightener: (Critical: The lowest heat setting is essential. Many people find this process goes better if the straightener can display the heat so that you know it is not too hot.)
* Optionally: Hair conditioner or detangler spray designed for doll hair (Can be found online or in craft stores).
Steps:
1. Assess the Hair: Before you start, examine the hair's condition. Is it heavily tangled? Severely matted? If so, you may want to start with detangling it with a metal bristle brush and detangling spray/conditioner before attempting to straighten it. Extremely damaged hair might not straighten well and could be further damaged by heat.
2. Prepare the Hair: Mist the hair with water until it's damp, but not soaking wet. This will help the hair become more pliable and easier to straighten.
3. Detangle: Gently comb through the hair with a wide-tooth comb to remove any knots or tangles. Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots to avoid pulling.
4. Brush: Thoroughly brush out the hair with a metal bristle brush, so that there are no knots and the hair is not clumped together.
5. Straighten in Small Sections:
* Turn on your hair straightener to the LOWEST heat setting. This is the MOST important step. High heat will melt the doll's hair (which is synthetic) and ruin it.
* Test the heat in an inconspicious section (such as the hair at the nape of the neck). If the hair is melting at this low heat, *do not use the straightener.*
* Divide the hair into small, thin sections (about 1/2 inch wide).
* Carefully clamp the straightener near the roots (avoiding the scalp) and gently glide it down the length of the hair section in one smooth motion. Do not hold the straightener in one spot for too long, as this will cause the hair to melt.
* Repeat the process on each section until all the hair is straightened.
6. Re-brush: Re-brush to ensure that the hair remains straight.
7. Style: Once the hair is straightened, you can style it as desired.
Important Tips and Cautions:
* Heat is the Enemy: I cannot stress this enough. The synthetic hair on American Girl dolls is very sensitive to heat. Start with the lowest heat setting and test it on a small, hidden section of hair first. If the hair starts to melt, smoke, or become sticky, turn off the straightener immediately and discontinue use.
* Avoid the Scalp: Be very careful not to touch the straightener to the doll's scalp. It can melt the plastic.
* Don't Overdo It: Straightening the hair too often can damage it over time. Try to limit straightening to when it's absolutely necessary.
* Test in a Hidden Area: Before straightening the entire head of hair, always test the process on a small, hidden section (like underneath the hair at the nape of the neck) to see how the hair reacts.
* Consider the Hair Type: Some American Girl dolls have hair that's more prone to frizz or tangles than others. If you have a doll with particularly delicate or damaged hair, you may want to consider other options for smoothing the hair, such as using a detangling spray and a brush.
* Be Patient: Straightening doll hair takes time and patience. Don't rush the process, and be gentle to avoid damaging the hair.
* If you're uncomfortable doing it yourself, consider taking the doll to a doll hospital or asking a professional doll restorer for assistance.
By following these steps and taking precautions, you can straighten your American Girl doll's hair and give her a fresh new look! Good luck!