Understanding the Debate between Using Real or Fake Hair Extensions

With a myriad of options, hair extensions are constantly evolving in material and styles which you can use. Now, not only celebrities, influencers, and social media superstars can enjoy the impressive modern hair extension technology—you can, too!

The only decision you have to make is to choose between real or fake hair extensions. Ultimately, this will only be concluded based on your preferences and taste. Read on as we discuss the debate between using real or fake hair extensions.

Human Hair vs. Synthetic Extensions

You may be wondering if there is a significant difference between human hair extensions and synthetic extensions, and in a nutshell, we’ll say that the answer is yes. Human hair extensions come in a variety of colours and textures.

With that said, we’ll highlight Remy human hair because it is the most economical and widely used form of human hair for hair extensions, wigs, and other hair items.

• Remy Human Hair

Remy human hair is straight with a healthy outermost layer or cuticle. This keeps the hair silky, lustrous, and tangle-free for as long as possible. Even though the hair has been artificially coloured, it can still retain a lot of its structure. This hair is made of the same material as natural hair: keratin.

Using Synthetic Hair Extensions

Synthetic hair extensions are entirely constructed of synthetic fibres and do not contain any human hair. They are constructed of heated acrylic, nylon, or polyester fibres fed via small microtubes to simulate hair strands.

Because of these compounds, synthetic hair may be stiffer or move differently than natural hair. Additionally, it has an unnatural gloss, and it stands out more like a hair item. While some stores may advertise heat-resistant synthetic hair extensions, heat-styling synthetic hair extensions can quickly get damaged.

So, keep an eye out for the fine print. While technological developments have enabled certain synthetic hair extensions to appear like actual hair, they are not!

The True Cost of Synthetic Hair Extensions

Because of their low cost, synthetic hair extensions are trendy. Since they are made of plastic and other synthetic materials, these extensions are inexpensive to produce. Beware, however. While synthetic hair extensions are less expensive at first, they require more maintenance than genuine hair extensions. Human hair extensions are more expensive than synthetic hair extensions, but they last longer (a year or longer) and look better with proper maintenance.

To add, synthetic hair extensions cannot be used with heat or colouring because their materials will melt, burn, or even crumble. Only specific hair extensions come pre-styled with curls or waves, which can be worn the same way as natural, curly hair. However, this limits your styling options significantly.

If you style synthetic hair extensions with, you risk matting, tangling, reducing their lifespan. Fortunately, human hair extensions can be coloured darker to match your natural hair colour. They can also be coloured in trendy colours like pinks and pastels.

Conclusion

When it comes to deciding between human hair extensions and synthetic hair extensions, it all boils down to what you want. This may also depend on your lifestyle, personal beauty practices, and budget. Either way, you can assess this on your own. You can choose to invest in human hair extensions for the long term or use synthetic hair extensions specifically for special occasions.

From style to confidence and convenience, GT Hair Boutique offers premium-quality hair extensions in Ontario and top-rated customer service. We’ll make your hair beautiful—schedule an appointment today!