Synthetic vs. Human Hair Clip in Extensions
Purchasing anything for the first time, be it gadgets, furniture, or hair extensions, can be overwhelming. Nowadays, there are so many options out there in the market that can cloud your judgment when you're interested in purchasing something.
Synthetic Hair Vs Human Hair
Choosing which type of hair extensions to buy is no different. There are plenty of options that offer a wide selection of colors, lengths, and thicknesses. You also have to choose what material you want the hair extensions to be made of. Synthetic or natural?
So, what is the difference between synthetic hair and human hair, you ask?
In this article, we'll compare the two main types of clip-in hair extensions, synthetic vs. human hair, based on several factors.
Synthetic Hair Extensions
To begin with, you should know how to tell the difference between human hair and synthetic hair! As the name suggests, synthetic hair extensions are made from plastic fibers that are made to look like human hair.
Read on for everything you want to know about synthetic extensions.
Performance
When it comes to performance, synthetic clip-in hair extensions tend to hold up better in warmer climates. Unlike real human hair, which tends to become dull under hot weather, synthetic hair extensions don't get frizzy or dry.
Styling
Synthetic hair products aren't easy to style. In fact, it's not even recommended to style them at all. Since they're made of plastic fibers, they can burn or melt if you try to use any heat-styling tool on them, such as curling wands, straightening irons, or even just a plain blow dryer.
Time
Synthetic hair extensions are great for people who don't have the extra time to style their hair. They're meant to stay the way you bought them, which means if you bought them curly, wavy, or straight, they're going to remain that way.
Chemical Treatments
Do keep in mind that, ideally, synthetic clip-in hair extensions should never undergo chemical treatments. For instance, applying hair dye to your hair extensions may cause irreparable damage. If you want to change its color, you have to use paint spray or diluted colored shampoo.
Price
For many people, the most important thing they look at when buying something is the price. This is also one of the biggest differences between synthetic hair extensions and human hair extensions. Synthetic clip-in hair extensions are typically cheaper than human hair extensions because it's easier to manufacture plastic fibers than to collect human hair.
Human Hair Extensions
As its name implies, human hair extensions are made from 100% real human hair, typically collected from donors.
Performance
If you're looking for realistic hair extensions, look no further than human hair extensions. Human hair extensions look and feel like natural hair, because they are.
That said, this does make them vulnerable to the same things that the strands on your head are vulnerable to, like heat damage. It's not unusual to see human hair extensions become dry in warmer, more humid clients. In these cases, it's recommended to protect your extensions with a UV protectant to avoid further damage.
Styling
You're free to style your hair extensions whatever way you want. You can use a straightener or a curler, you can make it wavy, you can braid it to your heart's content. Just like your real hair, there's no limitation to the things you can do to your human hair extensions. Just remember not to use heat styling products all the time! They may cause damage to your extensions in the long run.
Time
If it comes with the upsides of real hair, that means it also comes with the downsides. Unlike synthetic hair, it can take you some time to style your clip-in hair extensions. Even straight extensions can become wavy if you sleep on it the night before or don't store them correctly.
Chemical Treatments
If the ability to do chemical treatments, like dyeing or bleaching, is important for you when purchasing your clip-in hair extensions, you should definitely go with 100% human hair. They're typically durable enough to withstand treatments. However, keep in mind that your warranty could get voided if chemicals on your extensions.
Price Range
100% human hair extensions are oftentimes more expensive than synthetic extensions. After all, manufacturers have to carefully attach strands together to create the extensions, which takes a lot of effort and time.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many factors to consider before making that final purchase, choosing between synthetic hair vs human hair being the most crucial factor. It would be best to weigh up your wants and needs, pros and cons, and the negotiables vs. non-negotiables. With all the information, you can now easily decide — which is better synthetic or human hair wigs.
ZALA Hair Extensions
Here at Zala, we offer a wide range of hair extensions, including clip-ins, tape-ins, and halos, in various shades and lengths. Make sure to check out our online store to browse our products today!
Choosing the type of clip-in hair extensions for you can be overwhelming, but we hope this synthetic vs. human hair extensions article helped you decide which one you should buy! If you want to read more hair articles, don't forget to visit the ZALA blog!
