Remove a Doll’s Head

Ethan before (left) and after (right)

Removing a doll's head is crucial for rerooting doll hair and swapping doll bodies. This tutorial outlines some ways to remove a doll's head without breaking the body. These tips are intended for common fashion dolls such as Bratz, Bratz Boyz, Barbie, Ken, Moxie Girlz, and similar dolls. They are not intended for action figures, Only Hearts Club, Blythe, porcelain dolls, American Girl, Obitsu, or BJDs.

You Will Need:

• Doll
• Tea Kettle (for hard heads)
• Bowl (for hard heads)
• Blow dryer (for hard heads)
• Wash Cloth (optional)
• If your doll has a soft head, you only need your hands

More after the jump!

Identify the head you are working with:



A. Soft/Squishy Head

MyScene Barbie (left) and a High School Musical Zac Efron doll (right)

Soft and squishy heads can easily be pried off! Squeeze down and gently pull it up— and off— the body. Male dolls (such as Ken) usually have a cylindrical anchor in their heads, while Barbies have a hook at the end of their anchor.

1. Pull the head over the cylindrical base. Grab away from painted features such as eyes and lips, and cover the doll's head with a washcloth to avoid staining the plastic.

2. If there is a hook on the anchor, carefully ease the head over it— one prong at a time. You may need to turn the head during this process.

 

B. Hard Head: Method One

Bratz Sasha (left) and a rebodied Moxie Girl (right)

This method works perfectly on female Bratz and Moxie Girl dolls. For male Bratz or Moxie dolls, move on to part C.

1. Heat the doll’s head with a hairdryer. If you are concerned about messing up the hair, gently wrap it in a wash cloth.

2. Once the plastic is soft and squishy, ease the head up— and off— the cylandrical base of the anchor.

3. Carefully ease the head over the anchor's hook— one prong at a time. You may need to turn the head during this process.



C. Hard Head: Method Two

A Bratz Boyz doll

Some dolls have a very hard head and a large anchor. Method One might not make the head soft enough for removal. In that case, here's Method Two! But be warned: it loosens flocked hair and makes it shed. The reason I used a doll with flock because I will reflock it later.

1. Boil some water in a kettle, and pour it in a bowl.

2. Submerge the doll’s head in the water for a minute or two— until the plastic is super-soft. If you are worried hot water damage your doll, wait a few minutes until the water is warm enough for you to put your fingers in before you submerge the doll (but not cool or lukewarm.)

3. Now that the head is soft, squeeze down on it. Make sure to grabb away from the face or other painted areas.

4. Once the plastic is soft and squishy, ease the head up— and off— the cylandrical base of the anchor.

5. Carefully ease the head over the anchor's hook— one prong at a time. You may need to turn the head during this process.