Types of Hair to Make Hair Extensions (www.tyhermenlisahair.com)

Both human and synthetic hair extensions are available, and both come in a variety of colors, textures, styles, and lengths. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Natural or human hair extensions are usually significantly more expensive than their synthetic counterparts, though they are typically considered to be of higher quality. Synthetic hair is made from chemically processed fibers; although more affordable, it may not look as real and can be more difficult to style. Human HairHuman hair extensions are made from genuine human hair that is paid for and harvested from people, usually young women, all over the world.

Processed human hairHuman hair extensions can vary broadly in quality. On the low-medium end of the scale, hair is chemically stripped of its cuticle so that it can be machine processed without regard for direction or root-tip alignment. If the cuticle were left in but the root-tip alignment mixed up, the microscopic scales that form the cuticle would be opposed and snag on each other causing tangling.  The negative effects of stripping the cuticle are brittleness, reduced protection from sunlight, dryness, salt, chlorine and pollution as well as a tendency to absorb liquids and swell or matt.  It is not advisable to color or heat-style this hair.

Remy hairRemy hair refers to hair that has not had its cuticle stripped and has at least been partially hand-processed to maintain root-tip alignment. This hair is more expensive but will remain in good condition for much longer than stripped hair. It can also be heat styled and colored.  Sadly, this industry is not regulated and many manufacturers will mark as Remy, hair that has no cuticle or is even mixed with synthetic.

Virgin hairOutside of these, there is a third type of hair.  Virgin hair is hair that has not been chemically treated. It is harvested, sanitized and sold as bulk hair in hanks. The color remains the same and the quality is completely dependent on the donor. Having said that, hair that is in

poor condition [Split ends, chlorine/salt/UV damage etc.] rarely finds its way into this market as the buyers are quite discriminating.

Synthetic HairThere are several different synthetic fibers used in the manufacture of hair extensions. Synthetic hair has the advantage that it can be easily mass-produced in any color and length.

Polypropylene Fiber Generally referred to as P.P. Fiber, is one of the earlier types of fiber used in the manufacturer of hair extensions. If the packaging says, “100% Synthetic” it is usually PP fiber.  This fiber is not fire retardant and its use in the hair extensions industry is being phased out.

Toyokalon Fibre This fiber features widely in synthetic hair extensions. It is particularly used in curly or wavy styles as it tends to maintain curls and is less likely to tangle than other fibers. It is quite natural looking but is slightly too glossy to pass for real hair under close scrutiny. Toyokalon is also used in the manufacture of wigs.Toyokalon is flame retardant.

Kanekalon Fibre Also called KK fiber; this fiber is currently the most widely used in the manufacture of hair extensions and wigs. It can be styled and sealed using varying degrees of heat. It is less glossy than Toyokalon and in certain styles, can pass for real hair. There have been improvements to this brand of fiber over the years and the latest types such as ‘K7 Kanekalon’ are particularly realistic, looking and behaving like 100% human hair.A popular variant of synthetic hair extensions is where fiber is applied by beginning a micro-braid near a client’s scalp and then heating it to seal the fiber to the growing hair. These are heat-applied, can be waved or styled and are considered by many to be a viable alternative to human hair for a natural look.

High Temperature Fiber A new development in the industry is HT fiber sometimes called, Heat Resistant Fiber. This hair can be curled using curling irons, straightened using ceramic strengtheners and behaves very much like human hair. It is sold in the same forms as human hair in wefts and with bulk hair tied at the top and not folded over like most synthetic hair. When choosing this type of hair is careful to ensure that it is flame retardant as well as heat resistant.  There are some

poor examples on the market that are flammable, obviously dangerous if one is heat-styling.

Unlike human hair, synthetic fibers are consistent; Kanekalon will always behave like Kanekalon.  When choosing synthetic hair, all one really needs to do is read the packaging to have a fair idea what quality the product is.  There are now several flame retardant fibers widely available and there is no excuse for wearing any synthetic hair extensions that are not so labeled.