No, keratin itself is not fake hair. Keratin is a naturally occurring protein that makes up the majority of human hair, skin, and nails. However, many hair extensions utilize synthetic keratin fibers to mimic the look and feel of natural hair. These synthetic keratin extensions are, therefore, considered "fake" hair, even though they use a protein also found in natural hair.
Understanding Keratin in Hair Extensions
Several references highlight the use of keratin in hair extensions:
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Synthetic Keratin Extensions: Zala Hair offers keratin hair extensions made from a synthetic keratin-fiber material designed to resemble real hair. These are explicitly described as a synthetic material that imitates natural hair's appearance and texture. https://www.zalahair.com/blog/how-to-make-your-synthetic-hair-extensions-look-real Another example is Zala's vegan keratin clip-in ponytail extensions, clearly labeled as synthetic. https://www.zalahair.com/16-inch-vegan-keratin-clip-in-ponytail-hair-extensions.html
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Keratin Bonds in Extensions: Many professional hair extension methods use keratin bonds to attach extensions to natural hair. These bonds are often made of keratin, but this keratin might be synthetic or a blend of natural and synthetic materials. https://www.studiosheacademy.com/blog/flat-box-fusion-vs-rolling-in-keratin-bonds This process doesn't inherently mean the hair itself is fake. The hair used in these extensions can be either human or synthetic.
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Keratin as a Glue: The keratin used in fusion hair extensions serves as a glue, not the hair itself. The hair being attached can be either human or synthetic. https://iloveslavichair.com/italian-vs-gel-keratin-glue-for-fusion-hair-extensions
In short: Keratin is a protein; synthetic keratin is often used in the manufacture of hair extensions, but this doesn't automatically mean the extensions themselves are made entirely of artificial materials. The hair extensions themselves can be made of human hair or synthetic fibers.
