The variety of materials used for hair extensions and the designs or styes that are offered are growing along with the hair extension industry. Modern, high-fashion hair extensions that blend seamlessly with real hair have replaced the highly visible fake hair pieces used by 2000s pop stars at the VMAs. In actuality, a lot of influencers, celebrities and TikTok stars add hair extensions to their regular looks.
Hair extensions: natural vs. synthetic
Does it really matter if the hair is human or synthetic?
Yes, to answer briefly. The lengthy answer is yeeesss. And this is why:
Various human hair types, including Asian, Indian, and European varieties, are used to make human hair extensions. Despite the fact that there are various grades of human hair depending on how the hair was procured, handled, and sorted, for the purposes of this article, we will discuss Remy human hair, as it is the most widely available and least expensive variety of human hair used for hair extensions, wigs, and other hair accessories.
Remy human hair: What is it?
Remy hair is referred to as hair that has had its cuticle, or outermost layer, left in tact, unstripped and is aligned in one direction. This procedure guarantees that the hair will be reasonably tangle-free, silky, and lustrous for the duration of its life. The hair is chemically colored in a facility, yet the majority of the hair’s integrity is preserved. The most desired hair is made of keratin, which is the same substance as genuine hair. This results in the most natural combination and has numerous additional benefits, which are listed below.
What is Synthetic hair?
Synthetic hair extensions are completely devoid of real human hair and are created from a variety of synthetic materials. They are created from materials like acrylic, nylon, or polyester that are heated and fed through very small tubes to resemble hair strands in appearance and feel. Synthetic hair can never really resemble human hair since it is constructed of artificial materials. It may also be stiff or move differently, have an unnatural gloss, and stand out more as a hair piece.
How can I tell if I’m buying synthetic hair from a different supplier?
You may call synthetic hair extensions:
- 100% high heat synthetic fibers
- Japanese vegan synthetic fiber
- NextGen faux fiber
All of them are just glitzy techniques to make “fake fibers.” Additionally, some businesses could advertise their synthetic hair extensions as heat-resistant; nevertheless, except using extremely low heat, synthetic hair extensions cannot be heated styled since they will rapidly get damaged. Read the tiny print carefully.
What are the prices of synthetic hair extensions?
The primary benefit of synthetic hair extensions is their affordable cost. These extensions are inexpensive to make since they are composed of plastic and other artificially produced materials. But be wary of the buyer. Although synthetic hair extensions are less costly than human hair extensions, they need more frequent replacement and may end up costing you more in the long run. Although human hair extensions may be more expensive than synthetic hair extensions, the investment in better-looking, higher-quality extensions is unquestionably worthwhile.
How long are artificial hair extensions made to last?
Synthetic hair extensions typically last 1-3 months, whereas human hair extensions may last up to a year or more, depending on how they are used and maintained.
Can I use a hair dryer to style fake extensions?
No. When using synthetic hair extensions, you get exactly what you see. You are restricted to this style if your hair extensions are pre-styled with curls or waves. Synthetic hair will melt and get damaged if heated. Even though certain synthetic fibers can endure greater temperatures, they cannot replace natural fibers in this regard. Since human hair extensions are created from, well, human hair, you may style them using tools like a curling iron, hot rollers, straighteners, beach wavers, and more, just like you would your own natural hair!
Just how adaptable are they?
Not at all. Synthetic hair extensions can only be worn as they are since you cannot heat style them.
Can I style them using products?
No. One of the biggest problems that leads to matted and tangled hair extensions is buildup of product. Synthetic hair cannot be washed to eliminate this buildup, but real hair extensions can. It is not advised to use styling products on synthetic hair extensions since doing so would dramatically reduce their lifetime.
Can artificial hair extensions be dyed?
No. Plastics, nylons, polyesters, and other man-made fibers that cannot be chemically altered are used to make synthetic hair extensions. If colored, they’ll probably crumble in your hands. Contrarily, human hair extensions may be colored darker to match any changes in the color of your natural hair. Additionally, they may be colored in trendy hues like pinks, pastels, and more using balayage or ombre techniques!
Do they appear natural?
Actually, no. While some synthetic hair extensions may resemble real hair in appearance thanks to advancements in technology, when closely examined, they will reveal that they are not your actual hair. Additionally, the extensions will seem much more obvious to be artificial once they start to fall out after a few wears.
Are they washable?
No. Simply put, tangled hair extensions will result from this.
Do you still have concerns regarding the distinctions between synthetic and human hair extensions? Unsure about which is best for you? Contact us at and we’ll be glad to assist you.
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