by Janine Hopkins

Created on: February 29, 2008   Last Updated: December 27, 2010

Why Re- Root Your Doll?

The most obvious reasons to re-root a doll's hair is because it has become so tangled that it resembles dreadlocks, has been given a very bad hair cut or the doll's head is missing some plugs (small clumps of hair). Another reason to re-root could just be because you think he or she would look better with different colour or textured hair.

Here's my reasons for re-rooting my dark-skinned Little Big Eyes doll. She was bought new in a sealed box, but when I took her out I discovered there was three things I didn't like about her hair. Firstly, It had an almost greasy texture and was lank. Secondly, It was very sparse, so she looked like she had alopecia in some places! And thirdly, These dolls are made of two different plastics. The scalp, arms and legs are made of a lighter, softer type to the one the manufacturers used for the body and head. When the scalp is attached to the head it has a seam line all around it and as it is a few shades lighter than the face this is very noticeable. Especially as the hair was too sparse to cover it.

Types of Doll Hair And ways to use them.

Before deciding which method to use - You will need to think About what type of hair your doll would look better with. There are several types of hair for re-rooting on the market. The best ones for re-rooting are:

HUMAN HAIR: It Comes in a variety of colours, is most suited to making wigs for antique/ Composition and porcelain dolls, but can also be threaded through a the eye of a needle so is good for re-roots too.

SARAN (also known as) KATSILK: Comes in a great range of colours; from natural shades to neon and even 'Glow-in-the-dark'! Used on Barbie, Aston Drake Tonner and other Mattel dolls. Works well on Sindy, Bleeding Edge, Blythe, Little Big Eyes and My Little Pony manes and tails.

MIXED: This is a combination of two or more colours mixed together to create a more interesting hair colour. You can buy this ready mixed or chose your own combinations and do it yourself for a truly original doll hair colour!

NYLON: Less oily than saran, but similiar in the sense that it comes in a huge variety of colours from natural to neon and has a similiar feel. Used for My Little Pony manes and Tails, Aston Drake Gene Dolls and other Hasbro dolls. Can also be used on a variety of other dolls (see list for Saran.)

PRE-CURLED NYLON/SARAN: Best left to the experienced re-rooter as it can become very tangled during the re-rooting process.

POLYPROPYLENE: - Identical in feel and

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