Human versus synthetic hair- this has to be one of the most extended debates in beauty and cosmetics. As both wig wearers and extension enthusiasts argue, each end of the spectrum holds undeniable benefits; quite frankly, that's the fair share. More impressive, however, is how even as the hair market booms with advancements, technology, and innovations, the broad categorization of human and synthetic hair remains.
By definition, human hair is typically derived from consensual donors across the globe, whereas synthetic hair is engineered from quality synthetic fibers like polyester, polyvinyl, and acrylic. Today, the popular wigs and hair extensions we've grown to love classify as either one or both, so if that pixie you're rocking isn't kanekalon woven, you probably have yourself a human hair donor to thank. While this stands to be the most significant difference between these two types of hair, telling them apart merely based on appearance can be challenging.
Distinguishing between human and synthetic hair
Before you get your hopes up, we'd like to clarify that we're not here to settle the score between human and synthetic hair; both appeal to their respective audience, as you'd find. But here's what we know, understanding the distinctive traits, pros, and cons of human hair and synthetic hair will help you make informed decisions on your hair purchases. Ahead, we comprehensively break down five critical differences between human and synthetic hair to save you the hassle.
Texture
The most outstanding parameter of comparison between human and synthetic hair is texture. Being that human hair is sourced from human beings, you'll find that it comes in the same build as natural hair; this means your hair extensions and wigs will have the medulla, cortex, and cuticle components that sapiens strands have. This likeness in the structure of human hair additions to the real thing is what ultimately attributes to its soft, smooth, and natural texture. Conversely, synthetic hair is lab-engineered; though it may resemble natural hair, it still maintains an artificial feel and lacks that soft glossy texture characteristic of human hair.
Quality
The quality of human hair is just one of the many factors that set it apart from its synthetic counterpart. Human hair is rated to have premium quality as it comes to be without any chemical alterations. Sure it may differ in the range of quality as most donors care differently for their hair, but human hair will always be unmatched in terms of grade compared to synthetic hair. On the other hand, Artificial hair offers average to good quality hair extensions and wigs; of course, this also depends on the hair fiber used.
Durability
During manufacture, synthetic hair is put through several chemical and heat processes to style it, so it resembles natural human hair. In the long run, these processes weaken the artificial hair fibers making them prone to wear and run down with use which is why
synthetic hair is said to have a short lifespan. Alternatively, human hair has a more extended threshold serving its owners for years with the proper care. Arguably, the short durability factor of synthetic hair is not entirely a waste as it comes in beneficial to people looking for a quick hair fix without demanding care; with the right call, this hair can last you a good six months.
Versatility
Let's call it. Human hair is the most versatile hair option available today. This choice takes well to heat, styling, and coloring, not to mention that natural hair also comes in various textures and patterns, which counts as versatility. Individuals looking for flexible hair that they can wear all year round are unquestionably better off investing their coins in human hair. On the other opposite end of the scale is people looking to spend minimal time and effort on hairstyling; synthetic hair should do it for this category as it comes pre-styled from the factory, making it perfect for wear on the go. While this works well for people with a busy lifestyle, it's limiting in more ways than one.
Price
The cost of hair is equally telling. Hair derived from human donors will range costly compared to manufactured fiber; this is a fact. Human hair tends to be more expensive due to its quality, origin, texture, and durability, which brings us to its upkeep. Human hair is a lot more pricey in maintenance than synthetic hair. Artificial hair makes a good call for tight budgets as it is relatively affordable, making it a go-to for people looking for short-term solutions and an occasional bad hair day fix.
Conclusion
Both human and synthetic hair has a pull of their own, each appeals to particular audiences, so ultimately, your selection on what to wear should be based entirely on what you want from your hair. If you're in the market for something short-term and undemanding in terms of care and styling needs, then your best bet is synthetic hair. Comparatively, if you're invested in durability, natural-looking, and versatile hairpieces of premium quality, human hair is the way to go. It is that simple- figure out what you want, weigh in the pros and cons of your choice and get in touch with a hair distributor. Hopefully, the tips mentioned above get you halfway to having those good hair days.