Thursday, October 17, 2013

Scalp Replacement

Once again, [Jay has instigated] my trying something new, namely, replacing one doll's scalp with another doll's scalp instead of doing a re-root. You know, it really sounded rather iffy to me, but hey, I'll take any excuse to pick up my exacto knife.

I'll be using two dolls from the thrift store that had some seriously jacked up hair to begin with so they might appreciate a new style. Their replacement scalps come from Mattel's AA Nikki. I don't have any photos taking Nikki's hair off because I removed them almost two years ago when I was thinking I could make wigs out of them. That didn't work at all, but I kept them anyway because apparently I'm clairvoyant and knew that Jay would ask me to do this two years later.

Before, a sad state of affairs, but 20 minutes later we have

After, dark tressed beauties with interesting hair lines.


I removed their tops two ways. Barbie's was cut in front of the hair line perforations. Summer's was cut through the perforations themselves. If you are going to be using the scalped hair, you want to cut in front of the perforations, otherwise, you lose the first row of hair. I did it both ways to show you what the hair line would look like either way.


These are Nikki's scalps and they are actually bigger than the dolls I'm attaching them to, but I didn't want to cut up any of my current dolls so I'll have to modify them.


All Barbie heads are not the same. For example, Barbie's rooting is longer in the back than Summer's, and Nikki's ears are farther back than the Caucasian ladies. Even among the Nikki dolls the rooting varies so you'll have to match as best you can.


I had to remove some extra pieces in the back of Nikki's hair in order to get the front area to fit. If you are using long hair then it doesn't matter that the back doesn't fit because the hair will hide any gaping. Also, because of the way I'm going to attach this, yes, you can put a Black dolls scalp on a Caucasian one and vice versa.



I attached the scalp BEHIND the face. Trying to match the cut edges would be futile and not cute... unless you were intentionally making a Frankenstein doll. I didn't pretty up or smooth out the perforated face edge. If you are giving this a serious go then you might want to, but if the scalp you are using has bangs, it's not necessary.



This is what you are going for. By setting the scalp inside, the hair will fall nicely in front of the ears and around the face.


Barbie is not getting this hair but she wanted to try it on anyway. It looks good with her eyebrows.


Once you've figured out which hair to use and fitted it as best you can, apply glue to the scalp edge (front and ears only, not the back). Make sure you glue the little fleshy area in front of the hair too and not just the cut edge. I'm using super glue since it's fast acting and will bond better than anything else.

Unless you found a perfectly fitted scalp you will not be putting these dolls in pony tails because it will look ridiculous, like so:




However, if you style it right, for about 20 minutes of work (depending on your cutting skills), you will have a new hairstyle without having to reroot. Don't like it or want to change it, then dip the head in nail polish remover up to the glue seam for 5 minutes and pry it off. Rinse the face and scalp so they don't shrink and reuse if you want to. You should also be able to blow a hair dryer on that spot and pry it off as well, but I have no idea what kind of toxins heated super glue releases, so you're on your own with that.

EDITED TO ADD: [Tina comments] that you should, "Never, ever, ever overwarm super glue. Aside from some incredibly noxious and toxic fumes, you're also sending up some highly flammable vapor which can and will ignite at the slightest spark... say from an old hairdryer."  So, you have been warned!

_________________

All in all, I'm quite ambivalent about this concept. In actuality, it's my interpretation of someone else's idea so I could totally be doing it wrong. However, would I recommend the technique I'm showing here? I'm really not sure, because as adroit as I am with an exacto knife I had a heck of a time cutting through the vinyl. Okay, I could just need a new blade, but still. Also, as fanatical as I am about quality control, seeing a jagged hair line is very irritating to me. But again, bangs or the right styling would eliminate that irritant.

At the end of the day, I guess it's about personal preference and/or your knifing skills. I will say though, they sure look cute with their new scalps.



43 comments:

  1. Wow, you really make a fantastic job, you are a brilliant artist!!! Congratulations =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow... this is one of those things that *seems* like it shouldn't work at all... but you make it work... amazingly!!!! Seriously, you're the McGuyver of dollies!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heather, I didn't think it would work either without some photo editing to hide the seams. It could still benefit from some photo smudging, but it is doable regardless.

      Delete
  3. Hello from Spain: wow, wow, wow! Awesome hair change. Your work is perfect. I really like your Barbies with long hair and darkly colored. Great idea. Keep in touch

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Marta! I'm not necessarily anti-blonde but I do much prefer darker hair over lighter and I think the dolls look good with the hair change.

      Delete
  4. It's interesting, but I'd have the same issue with it as you. Well done, anyway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IHime, it's an interesting concept I will admit, but the execution leaves a bit to be desired.

      Delete
  5. I never dare to do a reroot, but I think that this method also scares me! I would spoil the whole head, I'm afraid... You did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rossetti, I've never attempted a reroot either, but for me it's because it's basically sewing and I avoid that, lol.

      Delete
  6. Ok so this, this right here is on POINT!!! Awesome job!!! Barbie especially looks good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jay, it turned out better than I thought, but I dunno dude. Still looks a little iffy. Barbie is rockin' it though.

      Delete
  7. Two blondes on a table? Looks like horror movie "SAW"

    o.O

    Anyway I have to try this! So innovative! Thank you Muff, you're better than Troy / McNamara !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, Sergio. They told me what they didn't like about themselves and I attempted to nip/tuck it.

      Delete
  8. They do look cute with their new hair. I would have the same issues with this as you, though. Good work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hiya Roxanne and thanks. If it wasn't so hard to cut through the vinyl it might have been a contender.

      Delete
  9. Nice experiment and I like the results but I have some of the issues you pointed out. I would probably just take off the horrid hair and use wigs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dollz4Moi, I've seen some people make wigs for their dolls but it was mostly for the big head ones, which I guess is easier. It's not something I've tried though.

      Delete
    2. I've been a wig hoarder for years LOL. I have a variety that work for different size heads. Funny thing is that until a couple of years ago I had no bald dolls t use them with. I started to change that. Love your face but not your hair you may be bald if I really love your face :O)

      Delete
  10. That may work with those new dolls- like HSM, which have their heads full of yucky yellow glue. I was thinking about rerooting my Sharpay doll, but that awful glue stopped me. It cannot be removed with hot water, pliers, nothing! It's still there, yellow, ugly and sticky.
    Your method may rescue my doll. It's risky, and I'm a really scared but also curious to give it a try.
    Your dolls look great, and I think you did a good job :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MM, that's what some of the Barbie heads are like, super hard and filled with glue. I mostly collect the AA dolls and their heads are soft and squishy and just rooted with hair, not glue. No idea why they are done differently.

      If you give this method a try, good luck to you, your dolls and your fingers!

      Delete
  11. Hi Muff! that great big change! They are divine! A perfect change

    ReplyDelete
  12. I can't believe you did that! So cool! I never wanted to re-root hair but have lots of dolls with hair trauma. Now, who do I get to do this for them? LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, Grandmommy! Dolls with hair trauma? Say it aint so. There has got to be a doll beauty shop around somewhere.

      Delete
  13. The dolls look lovely with their new "heads" of hair, Muff. I admire what you did. Doubt I would be brave enough to execute such a re-bodying. But interesting to see it done. Thanks for sharing the step by step unfolding ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Dana! Always happy to share my experiments!

      Delete
  14. Never, ever, ever overwarm super glue. Aside from some incredibly noxious and toxic fumes, you're also sending up some highly flammable vapor which can and will ignite at the slightest spark...say from an old hairdryer. Just so you know and don't have to scare the crap out of yourself or anybody else. :) I'd never thought to do scalp transplants...now I'm curious, since I've got a box of discards and not enough ideas to do with them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina, thanks so much for that warning! I thought it was pretty important so I added it to the post to caution others.

      Delete
    2. I just saw while re-reading your old posts because I love rereading awesome things. I had to geek out a little over that you gave me an edit :D I'm always glad to offer up studio safety tips. I figure nobody else should have to lose fingertips and eyebrows if I've already gone to the trouble of accidentally doing it first.

      Delete
    3. Tina, I like to think of this as a learning and sharing blog, so any info I get about things I don't know myself, I'm happy to pass along. Thanks again for that safety tip!

      Delete
  15. Another amazing doll transformation by the great Muff! I followed your tutorial on transferring a stiff Ken neck head to a swivel neck Ken body and have now done several transformations including using the tutorial to use action figure bodies for transplants of older Ken heads. I have to do a little tweaking, but now almost all of my male dolls have articulation. You are a genius when it comes to this stuff! I do not think I am brave enough, however, to attempt this scalp transfer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phyllis, thank you so very much! I know that some of the things I do are just on the side of weird, but I really appreciate knowing that you were able to use my wackiness to transform your dolls.

      Delete
  16. Hola, que gran trabajo, no me animaria, seguro wuedan peor, pero tu, te luciste. Se ven muy muy guapas, hasta parecen otras. Hasta pronto.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola, Lindaivette y gracias por pasar y comentar.

      Delete
  17. Great minds think alike. I have thought about the possibility of performing a scalp transplant. The difference between your mind and mine is that you put your thoughts to action while I still ponder them.

    It was wonderful, however, seeing one of my TIP (thoughts in progress) in the real. I think what has kept me from doing this is the fact that I knew it would require something sharp to cut the scalps away and I am not as adroit as you with the use of an Xacto knife nor do I wish to be. I'd have to rely on my husband for that. Sharp things and I just don't mix. My hands are my livelihood and I try to protect them at all costs.

    This might be a silly question, but why wouldn't I want to glue to the back in place?

    dbg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbi, sharp things and I have been friends for years, (I also collect swords and knives) but I can understand you wanting your husband to tackle that for you.

      Since I was using scalps that didn't really fit, it was unnecessary to glue the back of the scalp because it was never going to touch anything anyway. If you manage to get one that fits perfectly inside the head, then sure, go ahead and glue the back as well, but put the hair in a ponytail first so no flyaway strands get stuck.

      Delete
  18. Awesome job! Just the creativity of thought deserves much praise. This technique may come in handy for me. The Dreamhouse Racquelle doll has a fabulous head of hair, but that crazy looking face doesn't do much for me. Scalping her sounds like a great idea. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Vanessa! If you are going to try it, I recommend a brand new blade. Of course some heads are more malleable than others, but man, did I have a hard time getting a nice smooth cut.

      Delete
  19. So I'm just going through some of your old posts! I see you in a white lab coat doing experiments! You are so creative!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ms.Leo! Actually, I've always been an apron kind of gal, rather than a lab coat one. I used to have 9 or 10 aprons for all kinds of stuffs and experiments.

      Delete