The Dreaded Scrunge

[daisypaisley76]

Hello all! I would like to know if there is a better method to fix what I call "scrunge," Pony hair that has been matted and is kinky and tufted at the ends. I have tried boiling water, the hair dryer, and even ironing. Ironing straitens out the hair, but then it doesn't hold a curl as well. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[Candyfloss2013]

Are you talking about frizz like this?:

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If so shampoo and condition.

[DancingPhoenix]

^ Yes lots of conditioner.

I'd go through with a fine-toothed comb as well until all the knots are all out. Wet, condition, brush, wash, repeat. Then let it air dry, synthetic hair is different than human hair so air drying (or pressed under some towels) will probably work best. If there is still some friz go ahead and gently use a straightener on a low setting. Then to curl get the hair wet with HOT water and put it up into curls, letting it air dry overnight

[hathorcat]

I would initially suggest you use a metal tooth comb - its much kinder to synthetic hair. Plastic on plastic can cause frizzing in itself.

You could try an initial dip in boiling water to loosen the main knots, comb out and repeat a couple of times. When its combable then lather in conditioner, cover in saran wrap to keep it moist and allow it to soak in for a while [I leave it over night]. Then in the morning rinse and brush.

Any remaining frizzing will need to be taken care of with a flat iron.

[daisypaisley76]

I do use a metal comb and I can get the knots out, but the ends are still kinky and bushy. The flat iron works, but then the hair doesn't hold a curl. I condition the heck out of it too. I may try a multi temp curling iron on loooow with some tissue paper to see if that helps? I have a boatload of injured McD's toys to experiment on. Maybe hot rollers? It's just a shame to have Ponies that are beautiful except for the frizzy kink 8-(

Post Merge: March 23, 2013, 06:36:00 PM

Here are examples of my experiment. Applejack is a before and Minty is post flat iron. It looks a lot smoother, but it doesn't hold a curl after ironing 8-(

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[Baby Sugarberry]

McD' ponies have poorer quality hair in my experience - it goes to frizzy-ness very very easily. Have you tried perm boiling your curls to get them to stay in after ironing?

[kezrob23]

after seeing hathorcat mention a while ago the conditioner and saran wrap method, i decided to try it. let me just say i am converted, and a believer!!!!!! i conditioned, detangled, re conditined, straightened a few strands at a time with a straightener at 115 degrees celsius, slathered in conditioner and wrapped in saran wrap, left for about 24 hours, rinsed in cool water and left to dry
here's my examples of this:
before (half detangled)
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after - the hair was like new!!
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the pink was the only bit that didn't come out the best
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[daisypaisley76]

I have noticed that dark pink hair is more difficult to work with for some reason. I will try perm boiling after I curl. Candyfloss2013, it's funny you posted Jazzy. She's one of the one's I'm having problems with!! 

[kezrob23]

yes, that pink tends to be a bit of a bother. it's a bit dry and dull looking compared to other colours. but perm boiling is a great way to hide dryness. i have also found with g1's (and only them for some reason ), that after detangling, if i flatten the hair against my sink (stainless steel), then pour boiling water over it, and leave it to cool, it smooths out alot. i'll have to see if i can get pics of that

[hathorcat]

Wow kezrob23 - she looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!

@daisypaisley76 - yes unfortunately the hair could have an issue recurling after a flat iron as in doing so we do slightly change the hair. Have you tried washing the hair again after the flat iron and then trying a recurl? Also how are you curling the hair? With straw curls, rollers?

[daisypaisley76]

I re-wash and condition after ironing and use rollers. This batch of girls has been soaking in conditioner in plastic wrap overnight and I'm going to give perm boiling a try. We'll see how it comes out!

[hathorcat]

I agree trying to set the curls with boiling water should help.

The other possibility is that the conditioner may not be completely rinsed out. Because its synthetic hair is super easy to not get everything out - I know I have done that in the past. If there is still a conditioner coating the hair it could struggle to curl.

[daisypaisley76]

How long do you hold it in the boiling water? Guess I should have asked that question before I started boiling the water 

[hathorcat]

Just dip the hair in - and I hold it in for about 30-60 seconds each time but I ll admit to not being super precise on down to the second.

[kezrob23]

Wow kezrob23 - she looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!

thanks! And thanks for the technique

for some reason, I can't get curls to stay with the boil dip method, I usually boil my kettle and pour the water over the curls. When I have a heap to do, I use my mum's 8 litre urn