Human Hair Vs. Synthetic Hair Extensions

What is the difference between Human Hair Extensions and Synthetic Hair Extensions?

Human hair extensions and hair pieces come with a higher price tag. So is it really worth is to invest in human hair over synthetic? We think so!

Synthetic Hair is hair created from plastic fibers. It is much cheaper to produce as opposed to sourcing real human hair.

Drawbacks of Synthetic Hair

- Can not be coloured or lightened. Synthetic fibers can not hold colour. While human hair extensions can be coloured & lightened as you would your natural hair. With synthetic hair, the colour you buy is what you are stuck with. Synthetic hair can not be customized.

- Heat limit. Synthetic hair has very limited styling options as the hair can not withstand much heat. Remember that synthetic hair is made from plastic fibers. Thinking of curling or straightening your synthetic hair extensions? Think again, your hair extensions will melt at the high temperatures required to create curls or straight locks. Whatever style your Synthetic Hair Extensions come, is what your stuck with.

- Appearance. Synthetic Hair Extensions do not blend well with your natural hair. They are very detectable to the eye as the hair extensions do not have the same texture as your natural hair. Think of the Barbie dolls, Barbie has Synthetic Hair. Synthetic Hair Extensions are easy to spot as they look like Barbie hair, no matter how well blended the hair does not look natural.

Synthetic Hair

- Longevity. A good set of human hair extensions can last up to 12 months with proper maintenance. Synthetic hair will last for a much shorter period of time. The plastic fibers do not brush well and after a few wears you may find the hair extensions are too knotted to re wear.

So while human hair extensions come with a much higher price tag, the superior longevity and versatility of human hair extensions, makes them more economical in the long run.

How To Tell if Your Hair Extensions are Synthetic

In order to cut down costs some manufacturers will mix in synthetic strands with human hair. Performing a burn test is a quick way to tell if your hair is synthetic. Light the ends of the hair extensions and look at the residue they create. Human Hair has a distinct smell when burnt, and becomes ashy. Where as synthetic hair burns as your would expect plastic too, it melts, leaving behind a sticky residue.

Hair Extensions

Another way to tell if you have purchased a Synthetic Hair mix is to check the distributors care instructions. It is likely you have purchased a synthetic mix, if there are very strict instructions regarding the temperature of heat styling the hair extensions can withstand.