Next Time You Get Braids, Use One of These Types of Kanekalon Hair (2024)
Whether you get braids on the regular or you're a protective style first-timer, navigating the world of braiding hair can be a little daunting. For the novices, the first thing to know is that if you’re looking to get braided extensions, there are specific types of hair used for twists and braids, as opposed to other styles that require add-in hair. Fortunately, braiders quite often know which kind is best suited for the style you’re looking to create. Usually, it’s a type of synthetic hair called kanekalon, which most times resembles the natural pattern and kinks of Afro-textured hair in either a curly or blown-out state. Kanekalon hair, when it's used for braiding, typically looks like kinky hair after you hit it with a blow-dryer and a brush.
Hairstylist Kamilah, who goes by Ms. Hair and Humor on Instagram, explains some of the general distinctions between kanekalon and other types of synthetic hair: Kanekalon is a higher-quality synthetic fiber than other synthetic hair that is cheaper and more plastic-like to the touch. It moves more like natural hair and appears less wiry. It is very important that the texture of the kanekalon fiber is closest to that of the natural hair, because of the look, movement, and most importantly, feel. Due to the repetitive motion of braiding, if the hair is too plasticky or "hard," the friction it creates will give fingers a burning sensation.
One last thing to keep in mind: Some brands mix kanekalon with toyokalon, which is another synthetic fiber. While this may look better visually because toyokalon is shiny, it doesn’t look as natural as pure kanekalon. "While toyokalon hair tends to tangle less and be shiny, there isn’t enough grit to lock the braid into itself," Kamilah says. "If possible, try to touch a piece of the hair through the package and feel if it is similar to a natural blown-dry hair texture as opposed to a plastic fiber feeling or too soft to the touch."
Most brands of kanekalon hair come in a range of colors that can be matched to your skin tone, but because of the material that it’s made of, you usually can’t dye it to be an exact match to your hair. This shouldn’t matter much with braids since in most cases, as your own hair will be hidden within the twists or plaits. Kanekalon hair also can’t withstand hot tools, but again, that's a non-issue since braids don’t require heat styling.
But the question remains — which brand of hair should you buy? We asked some hairstylists which ones they prefer, and for a few tips on how best to work with them, whether you're headed to the salon or you plan on braiding your hair yourself.
Kanekalon® is a modacrylic fiber introduced to the world in 1957 by Kaneka.It is a representative synthetic fiber with Japanese technology. Kanekalon® is soft with a human-hair like texture, it also has a Hot Water Set technology( *1) which allows for various hairstyles.
Kanekalon is not real hair and does not require the same cleansing that your own hair does. The extensions will be cleaned as suds from your scalp wash through them. Apply a leave-in conditioner to help with detangling your extensions after washing. Curly or wavy hair can be gently combed through with your fingers.
About Kanekalon. Kaneka Performance Fibers Solutions Vehicle. Modacrylic fiber is composed of acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride, both of which are toxic to humans. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies acrylonitrile as a probable human carcinogen.
Hair and Humor on Instagram, explains some of the general distinctions between kanekalon and other types of synthetic hair: Kanekalon is a higher-quality synthetic fiber than other synthetic hair that is cheaper and more plastic-like to the touch. It moves more like natural hair and appears less wiry.
*Fun Fact: X-pressions hair is technically 100% Kanekalon. The only difference it that this hair is processed to be smoother, softer and neater. Price: Xpressions is a bit more expensive than regular Kanekalon hair, A single pack of “Xpressions” will run you about $5.
To clean braiding hair before use, soak for 30 mins – overnight in a plastic bowl of ACV and cold water. Avoid warm or hot water, as it will seal the hair and cause it to shrink.
You'll be able to distinguish Kanekalon Doll Hair from Saran Doll Hair by seeing that Kanekalon strands are finer than Saran and Kanekalon Hair is not quite as shiny as Saran Hair.
How to Soften Synthetic Hair & Wigs. After washing with a synthetic-safe shampoo, mix ½ cup (118 mL) of synthetic-safe conditioner or fabric softener into a tub of cool water. Soak the hair for 10 minutes, then agitate it gently by hand for 5 more minutes to evenly distribute the product.
*Fun Fact: X-pressions hair is technically 100% Kanekalon. The only difference it that this hair is processed to be smoother, softer and neater. Price: Xpressions is a bit more expensive than regular Kanekalon hair, A single pack of “Xpressions” will run you about $5.
Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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