What is Synthetic Hair? What Does Synthetic Hair Mean? (2024)

FAQs

Does synthetic hair mean fake? ›

Synthetic hair is exactly as it sounds. The fake hair strands are made out of man-made fibers like acrylic or nylon. The fibers are put through various chemical processes to give them a similar look, feel, color, and styling capability as human hair.

Synthetic Hair Extensions are made from human-made fibers designed to look and feel like human hair. They can be made from Nylon, Polyester or Acrylic, they are heated and moulded to mimic the look of human hair and can be pre-styled so that the extensions never lose their 'style'.

Synthetic hair wigs are made from strands of man-made materials, such as plastic or acrylic. Synthetic hair fibers are made to closely resemble the look and movement of human hair. Synthetic wigs are widely available, more affordable than human hair wigs, lightweight, and easy to take care of.

Not heat resistant – In most cases you can't use any heated appliances or the wig may melt. Prone to frizz – Static builds up in the hair and causes ends to frizz – the hair can tangle and become unmanageable. Not flexible – You can't change the texture or style.

"If you want to shampoo synthetic hair, just know going into it that it's not for long-term use," says Wright. Synthetic typically means you pop on and go. Now, they are saying you can shampoo it and you can lightly curl it with a really low iron. That means they are saying it can go for a few more uses.

With proper care, wigs and hairpieces made of synthetic hair should last between 4 and 6 months, and synthetic hair that can handle heat should last between 2 and 3 months. If you want your hair to last as long as possible, following our care tips is essential.

While a weave or extensions can be a great way to switch up your hairstyle, they can damage your natural hair and even cause hair loss if proper precautions and care are not taken.

Hiperlon is the highest quality synthetic fibre you will find. It is used for wig making and made to be durable, strong and as natural looking as possible. It has a heat resistance of up to 420 degrees C and reacts well to styling and dying. Powerlon is very similar to Hiperlon, but slightly softer.

If you're looking for a hairpiece that looks more natural and has a longer lifespan, opt for human hair. Even though human hair is pricey, you'll realize it was well worth the investment a few years down the line. Human hair not only looks great, but also provides you with endless styling options!

How to tell if a wig is synthetic hair? ›

Take a small piece of the hair product and burn it. Human hair will turn into ashes and have a smell similar to burning feathers or barbecue. On the contrary, if the product contains synthetic fibers, it will melt into solid form and come out with a strong chemical smell.

Synthetic wigs can be more limited than natural human hair wigs. The chemicals used in traditional hair dyes don't work on synthetic fibers and may even damage them. Synthetic fibers are also sensitive to heat, so they can't be heat styled and often have an unnatural shine.

However, a quality brand/type of synthetic hair will be very durable — some people have been wearing their permanent synthetic lock extensions installed on the ends of their locks for more than seven years!

Synthetic hair, on the other hand, will melt into your real hair if you apply too much heat to it. This can be dangerous, traumatic and unsightly and your stylist has a responsibility to warn you about this.

If you've tried synthetic clip-on hair extensions, then you know how disappointing it can be to spend tons of money just to have the hair look cheap and fake. Frequently, it looks like “doll hair” against your natural locks. The main problem with most clip in hair extensions is that they just don't look quite right.

Human hair is exactly as it sounds; it is 100 per cent human hair. Hair extensions are created by collecting hair from brushes and where it has fallen onto the floor. This is very different to how Remy hair extensions are created.

Synthetic wigs can have a uniform texture and overly shiny finish, which can make them appear artificial, especially in sunlight. Human hair wigs, on the other hand, offer more variation in texture and a more natural-looking shine.