Hair, whether human or synthetic, does not melt. Instead, it burns. Human hair will burn slowly upwards and have a distinct smell of burning hair. Synthetic hair will burn slower and have a chemical or plastic smell, forming into a ball.
Here's why hair burns instead of melts:
- Hair is primarily made of protein (keratin). Protein burns, it doesn't melt.
- Synthetic hair is usually made from plastic or other polymers. While these materials can melt, they also typically burn, especially when exposed to a direct flame.
Here are some examples of how different hair types react to heat:
- Human hair: When exposed to a flame, it will burn slowly and have a distinctive smell of burning hair.
- Synthetic hair: Synthetic hair will melt slower and have a chemical or plastic smell. It will also often form into a ball when burning.
Remember that both human and synthetic hair are flammable. It's important to be careful when using heat styling tools or working with hair near an open flame.
