The cosmetic world provides many options if you want hair that is different from your own or if you need to alter your hair for a special occasion. Wigs and extensions are made of either synthetic hair or human hair, and both synthetic and human hair have their own advantages. Because both types of hair have their advantages, either may be preferable, though knowing the differences between them may help you make a choice.
Appearance
Both synthetic and human hair look realistic when mixed with your natural hair, but human hair looks and feels more natural. In most cases, human hair looks so natural that a person trained in cosmetics and hair styling cannot always tell the difference between your natural hair and human hair extensions.
Care
Wigs and extensions made of human hair require more care than those made of synthetic hair. Your natural hair looks shiny and healthy because your scalp produces the necessary oils to keep it looking good. Because human hair products such as wigs and extensions don't receive the oils that your scalp produces, they require special shampoos, conditioners, and gels to continue looking normal and natural. This kind of care must be administered on a daily basis. Synthetic hair does require care as well, though not nearly as much as human hair.
Styling
Wigs and extensions made of human hair are easier to style than those made of synthetic hair. Because human hair is natural, you don't have to impose any restrictions when styling it. You can freely use straightening irons or curling irons to human hair wigs and extensions, and you can also dye human hair. Synthetic hair cannot be straightened, curled, or dyed with standard hair tools because those tools will melt the synthetic hair.
Hold
Human hair may be easier to style because you can use any hair tools with it, but synthetic hair will hold a style better and longer than human hair. Curls done with heated rollers can last for days at a time, as opposed to only a few hours with human hair. The pin-straight looks also lasts longer in synthetic hair, surviving even the rain.
Cost
If immediate cost is your main concern when deciding between synthetic and human hair extensions or wigs, synthetic is your best choice. Wigs and extensions made of synthetic hair cost approximately one-third less than the same product made of human hair. Synthetic hair products, however, last approximately one year. Depending on your needs and how long you intend to be using wigs or extensions, annual purchasing of synthetic products could become more costly than buying their human hair counterparts, which last longer and don't need to be purchased as often.
Member Comments