Human Hair vs Synthetic Hair: Which One’s for You (2024)

If you’re reading this, it’s probably safe to assume you’re stuck between two different types of hair extensions. We’re here to make the job easier, babes. Consider this your guide for the differences between synthetic versus human hair.

Why synthetic hair?

Synthetic hair is perfect for all hair lovers, but especially those who’re beginners at wearing fake hair. INSERT NAME HERE’s synthetic INFINI-FLEX™ hair is a budget-friendly, low-effort vegan alternative to human hair.


With technological advances made in recent years, synthetic hair has come a long way. What was once considered costumey, is now extremely comparable to natural hair with a highly realistic look and feel. In most instances, if you’re purchasing from a reputable company it is nearly impossible to tell high-quality synthetic hair from human hair.


INSERT NAME HERE'sINFINI-FLEX™ hair fiber, made by experts with over 20 years of hair experience, is considered the top tier of synthetic hair. Our synthetic hair pieces are pre-styled, so you don’t have to worry about giving them perfect curls or straight strands — the work is already done for you! And unlike curled or waved styles on human hair, they hold all day, everyday & won't fall flat no matter the weather conditions.

They’re easy to care for & low maintenance so they’re always ready to wear when you want added length and volume (some INH Babes even wear theirs daily!). After frequent wearing, washing or brushing your extensions, you can revive the original style by spraying (with water or misting with our Revival spray) & shaking them back to life.


For more information on synthetic INFINI-FLEX™ hair, read our synthetic hair guide here.

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Human Hair vs Synthetic Hair: Which One’s for You (1)

INH Babe @ilene.anabeth wearing XTRA INCHES synthetic hair extensions

If you’re looking for a luxurious, pro-quality hair extensions option, human hair may be the best fit for you. This option is an excellent choice for those who don’t mind spending a little extra to level up their hair game, and is a popular choice for major events like weddings.

You’re also going to love 100% Remy human hair if you love experimenting with your look. Human hair has ultra versatility, with the ability to dye, straighten and curl it — just like with your own hair. We recommend taking your extensions to a hairstylist and have them perfectly matched to your hair for the ultimate celebrity look.

When it comes to real human hair extensions, many people assume that all hair types are relatively the same, which is not the case. Some brands mix their human hair extensions with low quality hair, animal hair or other synthetic fiber fillers.

100% Remy human hair is considered the best human hair because it requires an extremely careful collection of hair from a hair donor. What makes this process different from other human hair collections is the unique preservation of Remy human hair where the cuticles are kept intact and unilateral (always going in one direction). When all hair strands follow the same direction, it minimizes tangling and matting (if processed properly). Remy human hair is made of the finest quality human hair and craftsmanship.

The reason that Remy human hair is so popular is because of its ability to create a totally natural look.Our Remy human hair in particular, is the highest quality, ethically-sourced human hair on the market. They’re investment pieces that last 3x longer than other brands’.

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Human Hair vs Synthetic Hair: Which One’s for You (2)

INH Babe @alysilverio wearing Lux Remy Hair Extensions in shade jet black

The main difference is that Remy human hair extensions & bangs can be customized, with the ability to heat style & dye just like your real hair.

Synthetic hair cannot be dyed. If you straighten or curl INFINI-FLEX™ synthetic hair (though it is heat resistant up to 320 F), its original pre-styled texture will not come back. If you straighten prestyled curls they will be forever straightened and vice versa with straight hair pieces that are curled.

Remy hair extensionsare considered premium & high quality — which means it's more expensive. Human hair also requires additionalmaintenance– as with natural hair, it requires effort & styling. Keep in mind that human hair rarely comes out of the box ready to wear. You may choose to have it customized by a professional stylist to get exactly the look you want.


Just like your real hair, human hair will require some love & care every now & then. But if properly cared for, you should be able to keep your Remy human hair extensions looking perfect for years. Here’s what our team of hair experts recommend:

Brush your human hair wigs & extensions before and after each wear.

Wash your human hair pieces when you feel that there is residue buildup on them. However, do not over wash them. Washing them too frequently will remove moisture from the hair strands. Wash your human hair pieces only when needed.

Store your human hair pieces when they’re not in use! Keep them soft & safe by using the super cute reusable satin pouch that comes with every INSERT NAME HERE purchase! It helps prevent tangles and extends the life of your hair.

It varies per company. At INSERT NAME HERE, we make sure both our Remy human hair extensions andINFINI-FLEX™ extensions last for years (assuming proper maintenance is involved).

For more information, read our tips & tricks for caring for synthetic hair and for caring for Remy human hair.

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Human Hair vs Synthetic Hair: Which One’s for You (3)

INH Babe @k3chocolate wearing medium Remy Human Hair in shade honey.

We do not recommend dying our synthetic fiber — just like with real hair, dying poses risks of damage. However, some INH Babes have been successful in doing so (please join our INH Babes community group to learn more).

When wearing INSERT NAME HERE’s INFINI-FLEX™ synthetic fiber, no one should be able to tell that it’s not real! It’s the most realistic person-made hair on the market (and it’s vegan)! INFINI-FLEX™ is made with real feel fiber that, like healthy human hair, reflects light on an even & thus “healthy” surface where the cuticle is smooth. The light reflected from our INFINI-FLEX™ strands creates color depth & dimensional shine.

Human Hair vs Synthetic Hair: Which One’s for You (4)

It depends on where you buy your hair extensions from. Here at INSERT NAME HERE, we use the highest quality, ethically sourced human hair. It’s never mixed with animal hair or synthetic hair, and we exclusively work with distributors who have been vetted and verified to operate ethical and sustainable practices.

That being said, our INFINI-FLEX™ synthetic fibers are vegan & crafted in a lab. We strive to give you ethical hair, regardless of which hair fiber you choose.

Which hair fiber did you choose? Let us follow along in your hair journey by tagging us on Instagram, Tiktok, Pinterest, Twitter & Facebook and use the hashtag #INHBabe!

Human Hair vs Synthetic Hair: Which One’s for You (2024)

FAQs

Human Hair vs Synthetic Hair: Which One’s for You? ›

Synthetic Hair: Requires less maintenance. A simple wash and air-dry are often enough. Human Hair: Requires regular shampooing, conditioning, and styling, similar to your natural hair. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, human hair may be a better option as synthetic materials may cause irritation for some people.

Which is better, synthetic or human hair? ›

Human hair wigs tend to be more durable and have a longer lifespan compared to synthetic wigs. With proper care and maintenance, a high-quality human hair wig can last for several years. Obviously, heavier use will lead to wearing out quicker, and usually, the cap will start to fail before the hair fiber does.

What advantage does human hair have over synthetic hair? ›

The greatest benefits of using human hair is that it is natural looking, long-lasting, and versatile. Human hair will most closely resemble your natural hair because it came from another human being!

What are the advantages of human hair and synthetic hair? ›

Human hair extensions are more expensive than synthetic hair because they last much longer, often up to and over a year – they can also be washed, styled with heat, and worn permanently. However, if you are looking for a short-term hair extension fix, then Synthetic Hair Extensions are an excellent choice.

Does synthetic hair last longer than human hair? ›

Synthetic wigs can comfortably last between 4 to 6 months when worn every day. Synthetic wigs tend to have a shorter lifespan than human hair wigs as they are prone to tangling which affects their day to day resilience.

What is a disadvantage of synthetic hair? ›

Disadvantages of synthetic hair:

Not heat resistant – In most cases you can't use any heated appliances or the wig may melt. Prone to frizz – Static builds up in the hair and causes ends to frizz – the hair can tangle and become unmanageable. Not flexible – You can't change the texture or style.

What are the pros and cons of synthetic hair? ›

Synthetics offered a lot of benefits to me.
  • Pros. Easy to style. Synthetic wigs easily bounce back to their original shape after washes because they come pre-styled. ...
  • Cons. Cannot be colored. Traditional hair dyes won't adhere to the synthetic fibers, and the chemicals will melt the wig. ...
  • Pros. Adaptability. ...
  • Cons. Cost.

Which hair is the best quality? ›

Raw hair is the purest hair on the market today, equally, it has great features that make it different from other hair types like virgin hair. First, Raw hair is cut from donors (A real human being) and it is often unprocessed, unlike other hair types.

What are the disadvantages of human hair wigs? ›

The Cons
  • They can be expensive; especially if you are buying a bespoke one.
  • They don't tend to hold colour well and the quality can be affected if repeatedly dyed.
  • Human hair wigs will need to be styled almost daily or at least every time you wash your hair.
  • They have a limited life span.
Sep 9, 2013

What are the pros and cons of synthetic vs human hair wigs? ›

Both types of wig have their pros and cons: human hair wigs may be the more 'natural' looking option but higher in price, whereas synthetic wigs are more cost effective but lack the styling versatility you may be wanting.

What are the benefits of human hair? ›

The hair on our heads doesn't just look nice. It keeps us warm by preserving heat. Hair in the nose, ears, and around the eyes protects these sensitive areas from dust and other small particles. Eyebrows and eyelashes protect eyes by decreasing the amount of light and particles that go into them.

What is unique about human hair? ›

1. Each strand of hair can contain traces of 14 different elements (including gold). 2. Hair absorbs oil out of the water, working as a natural sponge!

Why natural hair is the best? ›

2) Versatility – Natural hair is the definition of versatility. You can even straighten it and then it reverts back curly, you can go swimming and not have to fear the chlorine, or you can walk in the rain and not worry about your hair getting wet and changing texture.

What are the four disadvantages of synthetic hair? ›

4 Disadvantages of Wearing a Synthetic Wig
  • Hair color on synthetic wigs doesn't always look natural. ...
  • Heat from curlers or blow dryers can ruin synthetic wigs. ...
  • Synthetic fibers can be shiny and look unnatural. ...
  • Synthetic wigs are much less durable than human hair wigs.
Apr 28, 2014

Can you tell the difference between synthetic hair and human hair? ›

You can use a flat iron to test a small section of the hair. Synthetic fiber can typically handle temperatures up to around 120 degrees Celsius, whereas human hair can tolerate temperatures up to approximately 230 degrees Celsius. When heated, human hair should not emit any chemical smell, unlike synthetic fiber.

What is the safest synthetic hair? ›

EZBRAID is
  • 100% PVC FREE. ​ The Safetest Synthetic Hair. ​ Safe for Kids. No Acrylonitrile. No Polyvinyl Chloride.
  • TOXIC & ITCH FREE. ​ Made with Antibacterial Fiber. ​ No Phthalates. No Dioxin. No Hair Dye.
  • ECO - FRIENDLY. ​ Nature & Environment Friendly. ​ Recyclable. Recyclable. Recyclable.

Does synthetic hair damage real hair? ›

While a weave or extensions can be a great way to switch up your hairstyle, they can damage your natural hair and even cause hair loss if proper precautions and care are not taken.

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