As technology is developing, you are getting everything that you dreamed of and that too at affordable prices. Synthetic hair extensions are one of these.
They come in different sizes, textures, colors and types. These are, however, low in quality and have some drawbacks compared to natural hair extensions.
Flammability is a factor that makes people question the safety of synthetic hair. As synthetic materials are prone to get burned quickly, synthetic hair is also a concern for many. Do they burn easily?
Synthetic hair is made of materials such as nylon or acrylic. As there is an element of plastic in these fibers, they tend to burn easily, unlike natural hair. Therefore, synthetic hair is quite flammable and must be used with caution. It is essential to know the instances that can lead to severe accidents.
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How dangerous is synthetic hair burning?
Frankly speaking, it is pretty dangerous. The element of risk rises depending on how low the quality of the fibers is. Cheap hair extensions do not have enough coating to keep the effect of heat at bay. As a result, it is difficult to put off once it starts to burn.
Due to the fast burning of the fibers, the intensity of the burn can be severe. Like burning plastic, the burns caused are serious.
There have been many incidents reported where synthetic hair wigs were caught on fire, resulting in severe scalp, face and skin injuries. These are common in movie sets, as synthetic hair wigs are essential to costumes.
Can I tell apart synthetic hair burning from natural hair burning?
Yes, it is possible to tell apart the two. Synthetic fibers are plastic threads. Hence when they come in contact with high-intensity heat, they melt.
The fibers will burn, releasing black smoke and making a clump. When the same comes in contact with the skin. The smell released will signify the chemicals present in their composition.
On the other hand, human hair extensions fizzle when caught on fire. They can be easily put off and leave ash as residue, not sticky drops. Thus human hair extensions are not dangerous as synthetic ones.
Is a burn test a good way to identify synthetic hair burns?
Due to the evident difference in burning between the two, a burn test is one of the best ways to identify faux hair extensions.
Pull a few hairs from the extension and light the end on fire. If the threads burn with smoke and melt, what you have in your hand is a manufactured hair extension.
Moreover, observe the pace with which the fibers get eaten by fire. Faux hair extensions will burn fastly, leaving behind clumps. The ends will be stiff and the fibres will be stuck together.
Human hair will take time to get burned. The burn happens slowly. When the fire is put off, residue can be brushed off and the ends will look the same although uneven.
Check out the video to see how a burn test can be done.
Are all synthetic hair extensions the same in flammability?
Synthetic hair extensions have improved a lot in the past few years. Companies now claim their products to be ‘heat resistant’. They say these artificial hair extensions are not highly flammable and can withstand heat.
The faux hair extensions available today are indeed made of good-quality fibers. They are made with heat-resistant materials. These are not as vulnerable to heat as older ones, but these extensions are still unsafe.
Even when the companies claim they can withstand heat, these extensions cannot stay intact in highly intense heat. Let alone fire, too hot a hair styling equipment can severely damage the product.
Hence, synthetic hair extensions, whether purely artificial or blended with natural hair, are dangerous when caught on fire.
See also: How Many Hair Extensions Do I Need?
Ways to prevent synthetic hair burning damages
There are certain ways to ensure safety while using synthetic hair extensions. Follow these, and you can have a good experience with stylish faux hair locks:
- Use the styling tools with minimal heat setting. Whether straightener or curler, try setting the temperature low to prevent heat damage.
- Do not overload the fibers with hair oils or hair sprays, as these can make them more susceptible to fire.
- Keep the product and yourself away from open flames when wearing the product. An open flame can easily lead to accidents that are difficult to recover from.
- Do not stay under direct sunlight for a long time as the sun rays can create the same effect as a high heat intense equipment.
A peek into the matter
Now that you know how serious synthetic hair burning can be let’s take a quick look into what we have discussed so far through a comparison:
| Hair Type | Synthetic Hair | Natural Hair |
| Flammability | High | Low |
| Speed of burning | Fast | Slow |
| Nature of burning | Melts and leaves clump | Fizzle and give ashes |
| Aftermath | Severe when in contact with skin | Not severe |
To conclude
Always go for quality hair extensions, whether natural or artificial. If the latter, take extra precautions not to damage the product and prevent potential accidents.
Synthetic hair extensions can be of enormous help for many, primarily with their price, hence use them wisely and reap maximum benefits from these faux stylish hairs!
