TL;DR: This guide explains the key differences between synthetic and human hair, from materials and maintenance to price, appearance, and longevity. It also highlights why human hair wigs, especially European Remy, are considered the gold standard for a natural, lasting look.
- Human hair is real, natural hair; synthetic hair is made from fibers like acrylic or nylon.
- Human hair offers a softer texture, realistic movement, and longer lifespan.
- Synthetic hair is more affordable but tends to show wear faster.
- Human hair can be styled and colored like natural hair, while synthetic hair has heat limits.
- European Remy human hair provides top-quality realism, durability, and versatility.
Synthetic hair vs. human hair: what’s actually the difference between the two?
Human hair is exactly what it sounds like. It’s hair from a human head, which is cut and turned into a natural-looking wig. Synthetic hair, or “fake hair,” can be a little more nebulous. The difference between synthetic and human hair goes beyond materials, however. They come at different price points and have different pros and cons for styling, durability, and more.
In this blog, we’ll finally answer “what is fake hair made of?” Plus, we’ll illuminate the real differences between human hair and synthetic hair. Continue reading to learn how to choose the right wig material for your style goals and budget.
Human Hair vs. Synthetic Hair
If you are not buying a human hair wig, topper, or extension, then you are purchasing “fake” hair, AKA synthetic hair.
Synthetic hair is just what it sounds like: hair fibers created in a factory. Synthetic hair is not “real” hair, meaning natural human hair.
Some of the other differences between synthetic hair and human hair are discussed below.
Affordability
Premium human-hair wigs or extensions often command a higher price tag compared to synthetic ones. High-end synthetic options, by contrast, come at a more budget-friendly entry point.
If your goal is to experiment with styles without a large upfront investment, synthetic hair can be a good option. However, over time, you’ll find yourself replacing your synthetic wigs repeatedly. That can diminish some of the perceived cost savings over time.
It helps to think of human hair as exactly what it is: an investment in a natural, durable, long-lasting product. We’ll discuss why human hair justifies the higher price point later in this blog.
Appearance
Out of the two options, human hair offers the most natural look and feel. Even advanced synthetic fibers sometimes still have a slightly plastic sheen or uncannily uniform appearance under good lighting.
We’ve found that human hair can be customized in texture and color to blend in invisibly with your natural hair. Synthetic hair is typically limited to pre-set textures and shades. We feel human hair is ideal if your priority is achieving a natural appearance.
Longevity
With proper care, high-quality human hair can last for a year or more. We’ve seen luxury-quality human hair wigs last for multiple years with the right attention to maintenance.
Synthetic hair tends to have a shorter life. Over time, synthetic fibers show wear more visibly. They typically last between 6 and 12 months, depending on wear and initial quality.
What Is Fake Hair Made Of?
Usually, synthetic hair is made of materials like acrylic or nylon. The fibers are then treated and dyed to mimic natural human hair. Synthetic wigs can also be made of silk, silicone, single-filament polyester, or other materials.
What is European Remy Human Hair?
European Remy hair is the highest quality human hair available. You can expect wigs made with 100% European Remy to last a year or longer. They tend to move naturally and blend in seamlessly with your hair and scalp.
Let’s break down the three elements of European Remy human hair so you understand what you’re getting for your investment.
European
We source all our hair from Europe. When we receive the hair, it is virgin, meaning it is fully natural and has never been colored or bleached. Once the hair pieces are complete, we color them to be one of the 30+ colors you can find on our website.
Remy
Remy hair is hair that still has the cuticle intact and untreated. The cuticle lies in the same direction for each strand. This gives the hair the ability to act as natural hair would while washing and styling. Remy hair also gives the customer the freedom to part their hair piece in multiple directions.
Human Hair
Our hair pieces are 100% human hair. This means that the hair pieces will act the same way as your natural hair. You can color, heat style, and wash your hair pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions About Human Hair vs. Synthetic Hair
Which lasts longer: synthetic or human hair?
Human hair lasts much longer than synthetic hair. With proper care, human hair wigs can last over a year, while synthetic hair usually lasts six to twelve months, depending on quality and wear.
Does synthetic hair look natural?
High-quality synthetic hair can look very natural, but it may have a slight sheen under bright light. Human hair tends to blend more seamlessly with your own hair and moves more naturally.
Can you use heat on synthetic hair?
Most synthetic hair cannot tolerate heat styling. However, heat-friendly synthetic fibers exist that can withstand low to moderate temperatures. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations before using heat tools.
Why is human hair more expensive than synthetic hair?
Human hair is more expensive because it’s real, durable, and can be styled, colored, and washed like your own hair. The collection and processing of natural hair are labor-intensive, contributing to its higher price.
How can you tell if hair is synthetic or human?
The easiest test is the heat test. Synthetic hair will melt when exposed to high heat, while human hair will singe or curl. Human hair also feels softer and moves more naturally than synthetic strands.
Why Choose the Lauren Ashtyn Collection?
At The Lauren Ashtyn Collection, we do things differently with our hair pieces.
We make all our wigs, toppers, and extensions from 100% European Remy human hair. The top is completely hand-tied, strand by strand into a 4x4” multi-directional skin top. This means you can part your hair piece in any direction, just like your own hair.
This is why our hair pieces are luxury items. The price reflects the quality of the product we send to our customers. We make and handle each with the utmost care. This ensures outstanding quality that perfectly matches natural human hair.
We are available for free consultations by email or text. Let us make your hair dreams come true!
