How to Test if Hair is Human or Synthetic

Compared with synthetic wigs, human hair wigs are more expensive but they are softer, longer-lasting and more comfortable. You should test hair pieces to see if they are made of human or synthetic hair before buying.

Cut a couple strands of hair from the different parts of the wig or hairpiece.

Use the tweezers to hold a strand of hair. At the end of the hair, put a lighter flame to ignite it and then pull the flame away.

Watch how human hair burn

• Human hair has a unique smell of sulfuric acid.
• The flame will flicker out quickly unless you continue burning it and the ash will be powdery.

Watch how synthetic hairs burn

• If you have taken the flame away, synthetic fibers will continue to burn up quickly.
• Polyester hair burns and melts at the same time.
• Synthetic hair has a slightly sweet smell and leave sticky beads on your fingers.
• Nylon hair has a unique smell of cooked vegetables. Nylon hair will burn up quickly with a sparkling flame, leaving hard beads behind

Sources: https://www.sishair.com/how-to-test-if-hair-is-human-or-synthetic/

Originally published at rebe-hair.tumblr.com.