When do you choose synthetic hair? What types of hair are there for your hairpiece? What should you pay attention to? And how do you recognize synthetic real hair?
Synthetic hair also comes in various types/qualities. They are made of polyester or polyamide (nylon) fibers. Over the years, better qualities have been added: stronger, thinner, more flexible fibers that look more natural than before.
The different types of fibers
- Kanekalon or toupelon fiber (cheap, often a slightly thicker fiber).
- Betex and Vital fibre (more expensive, a polyamide fibre, this retains its shape better and can withstand heat well)
Benefits of synthetic hair
Two important advantages of synthetic hairpieces are: the model is already in it, and (2) it costs less than a hairpiece made of real hair. A great solution if you are temporarily dependent on a hairpiece, for example because of chemotherapy or sudden alopecia areata.
Disadvantages of synthetic hair
The synthetic hairpieces do not last as long and the fibres cannot withstand heat. Especially where the fibres are subjected to friction; on your shoulders – they become stiffer and they start to tangle or felt. The lifespan is therefore shorter
The fiber does not tolerate heat well, so be careful with sauna visits, hot ovens when cooking, steam from the dishwasher, and draining potatoes where steam is released. The wave in the hair can then disappear.
The hair specialist can partly maintain this with steaming sessions, but after a while this steaming session has to be repeated more often and moreover the model (wave or curls) will slowly disappear. With short models you have less trouble with this, because there is less friction and therefore less felting.
Women who wear a synthetic hairpiece every day often opt for a shorter model or replace their hairpiece more often (e.g. twice a year).
Styles
Most synthetic fibres cannot withstand heat. This means that you cannot go to the sauna with them, but also that you have to be careful with curling irons and hairdryers. Be careful because the temperature setting is very precise; you will not be the first whose hair shrivels up because of heat! The very latest synthetic fibres can withstand it better (curling irons up to 150 degrees); get good advice and do not take any risks.
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