Human Hair VS Synthetic Hair: Which Is Better?

It’s easy to get caught up in the human hair vs synthetic hair debate for extensions. Each type has its pros and cons, choosing the right one depends on you.

The following article provides the clearest distinctions between human hair vs synthetic hair fibers, making it easy for you to differentiate between them.

1. Differences between human hair vs synthetic hair

Whatever choice you decide to go with, having a good distinguishing list for human hair headpieces and synthetic wig hair pieces will help you decide. Here are the main distinctions that you ought to understand.

1.1. Material and origin

The core difference between human hair vs synthetic hair is their material and origin. This distinction determines both their aesthetics and functionality, as well as their durability over time.

“Human hair” refers to real hair collected from human donors, used in wigs, extensions, and hairpieces.

• Remy hair is considered the highest quality, with cuticles intact and aligned, reducing tangling and maintaining a natural appearance.
• Virgin hair is unprocessed human hair that hasn’t been chemically treated. Therefore, this type of hair has the best high quality and long-lasting hair.
  Raw hair is 100% unprocessed human hair. No chemicals, dyes, or treatments. Cuticles intact, aligned, and natural variations exist. Highest quality, sourced from single donors.
• Non-Remy hair has misaligned cuticles, prone to tangling, and is often chemically processed.

Synthetic hair is crafted from machine-made fibers, providing diverse styling options. It’s affordable, easy to maintain, and available in various colors. However, it looks less natural, is prone to heat damage, and has a shorter lifespan. Common types include Kanekalon (heat-resistant), Nylon (inexpensive, not heat-resistant), and Polyester (durable, more heat-resistant).

• Kanekalon: High-quality synthetic fiber, heat-resistant, natural feel.
• Nylon: Inexpensive, low heat resistance, less natural appearance.
• Polyester: Durable, moderate heat resistance, mid-range quality.

1.2. Texture

The texture of hair greatly contributes to its appearance, movement, and how it garners light. Now, let’s examine the differences regarding the texture of human and synthetic hair:

Human hair

• Human hair captures the full spectrum when it comes to textures, from the finest silk to the coarsest curly. The variety is due to its natural origin which makes it one of a kind and hard to copy.
• It has the softness and the natural characteristics of your own hair which allows for integration and gives a flawless appearance.
• Also, human hair brings natural color and shine which add value and serve a purpose unlike that of the synthetic counterpart.

Synthetic hair

• For some reasons, synthetic hair tries to mimic human hair in texture but fakes finesses, silkiness, or wiriness.
• While looking very realistic, high-end synthetic hair lacks natural variation and for this very reason it is synthetic.
• The lower quality synthetic hair can be very shiny and rough not in a good way which can put people off that makes it less appealing.

1.3. Styling and maintenance

Styling and maintenance are critical factors to consider when choosing between human hair and synthetic hair.
Human hair:

• Can be styled with heat tools such as curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers.
• Can be dyed, permed, or treated like natural hair.
• Requires regular wash and condition.
• Requires higher maintenance.

Synthetic hair:

• Pre-styled, retaining its shape, and generally cannot be styled with heat tools unless specifically heat resistant.
• Gentle wash and conditioning with products made for synthetic hair is required.
• Lower maintenance.

1.4. Durability

The durability of your hair investment is crucial. Knowing the differences in durability for human hair versus synthetic hair will let you make an informed decision that best fits your lifestyle and expectations.
Human hair

• In stark contrast, proper care for human hair can make it last for a year or even longer which is significantly longer than most others. Its natural structure along with its strength is what enables it to be so resilient.
• Moreover, human hair is able to withstand stressors that the environment puts in the form of wind, humidity and sunlight while maintaining its integrity.
• What’s important to remember, is that heat styling too, in excess, can begin to destroy the human hair’s durability. As well as break it and shorten its lifespan. So, it can take heat, moderation is key.

Synthetic hair

• Operatively of the high-quality level of fibers and how often it is used, synthetic hair has a significantly shorter life span of about 3 to 6 months.
• Synthetic hair is particularly prone to prolonged exposure of both heat and sunlight, as both factors are able to damage them. This exposure makes the synthetic fibers brittle and shapeless with an added ghastly sheen.
• Additionally, these types of hair are more prone to tangling and frizzing as a result of a gentler nature of the synthetic fibers themselves.

3. How to distinguish between human hair and synthetic hair

There are several ways to distinguish between human hair and synthetic hair.

• The burn test: Human hair burns with a hint of white smoke, giving an aroma of burnt flesh. In contrast, synthetic hair melts and burns with black smoke resembling a burning plastic mask.
• The feel test: Synthetic hair tends to be rusted in texture and shines unnaturally, while human hair feels soft and smooth, akin to your own hair.
• The look test: Instead of human hair that has natural color variations with a shine, synthetic hair tends to have a uniform overly shiny color.

Hopefully, after reading this blog, you’ll be able to distinguish between human hair and synthetic hair and make a choice that suits your needs.