What Is Kanekalon Hair?
- Last modified on September 8, 2021
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As far as synthetic hair, kanekalon is everywhere and widely used in many protective hairstyles. This modacrylic fiber is a brand by Kaneka. Kaneka has been a major producer of fibers been around since 1949(1).
Kaneka introduced Kanekalon fiber in the year 1957(2). The hair is soft like human hair texture, and very lightweight. The best part about this hair is how easy to detangle while you’re braiding kanekalon to weave into the braid.
Anyone who has ever gotten braid extensions knows that the braiding hair can sometimes knot up as you’re pulling small bits out of kanekalon to weave into the braid.
HEAT RESISTANT
A lot of the brand’s fibers are flame retardant as well as heat resistant. Their heat resistance allows for styling the fibers with curling and hot irons. Modacrylic fibers do not combust. When the fiber is exposed to high-temperature fires and then removed, the fiber will self extinguish.
Another great feature of the hair is it also has hot water set technology. This allows for easy styling of hairstyles as well as sealing in braids and crochets at the tips.
Kanekalon fibers have appearance retention. The fibers do not wrinkle and are quite resilient. With the relatively high durability, modacrylic fibers are resistant to abrasion. They also have great dimensional stability with high elastic recovery. This allows the hair to hold its shape longer and still retain its realistic, smooth look.
MODACRYLIC FIBERS
Modacrylic fibers are synthetic copolymer and are very similar to acrylic fibers. The fibers are composed of less than 85% but at least 35% by weight of acrylonitrile. The difference between acrylic fibers and modacrylics is that more polymers of other types are added to make the copolymers of modacrylics units Before 1960 the two fibers were categorized the same (4). This makes them a little weaker in lab tests but still as durable! Modacrylic fibers are very resilient to abrasion and hold their dimensional shape. Modacrylic fiber composition makes them less likely to cause pilling.
These fibers are good for wigs, clothing, carpets, paint rollers, and fire-resistant PPE. The main characters of these fibers are their; Soft, Resilient, Easy to dye to bright shades, Abrasion-resistant, Flame resistant, Quick-drying, Resistant to acids/alkalies, and Shape retentive
WASHING FIBERS
Kanekalon braiding hair extensions are safe to get wet and to be washed by hand. You are not focusing on washing your faux locs but rather you are focusing on your scalp health. Your scalp can suffer from the build-up of sebum and foreign contaminants.
Synthetic braids don’t absorb moisture well and dry quickly. Synthetic braiding hair doesn’t require the same cleansing that your own hair does since it is not real hair. The best part is these hairs don’t have cuticles that can get damaged or a cortex. This means it’s harder to damage synthetic fibers’ structural form compared to regular human hair when washing.
PRE STRETCHED HAIR
Pre Stretched hair is hair that has been already stretched to its maximum length. Not all hairpieces come stretched. Some styles require a kinky/wavy hair type. You Pre-stretch hair before starting to braid or crochet hair. Pre-stretched hair gives you extra 4 inches sometimes. This can really make a difference when you braid hair. The feathered ends keep the braids from unraveling and tapering and you put them in.
When Braiding hair into stylings, you need to stretch hair and tightly lock in crochet braids. This helps prevent frizzy locs and will hold stylings for longer lifespans.
Some loc styles require hair to be more frizzy. Yaki twist braids use non stretched bundled hair for a certain dreadlock xpression. This is the same for a lot of Rastafari looks.
FAQ
IS IT POSSIBLE TO CURL KANEKALON HAIR?
Kanekalon can be curled with two methods. Kanekaolin is heat resistant and is safe to be used with a regular curling iron. Kanekalon also has hot water set technology. After curling locs, dip in boiling water and let dry. The locs will stay curly.
HOW LONG CAN YOU LEAVE KANEKALON BRAID HAIRSTYLE IN?
How long you keep your style depends on the hairstyle and hair care. Some styles require more hair than others. You don’t want to keep synthetic hair in for a long time. Part of having a loc hairstyle is hair care. Dreadlock maintenance is a daily routine. Styles like kanekalon jumbo braids have more synthetic hairs and require a little more hair care but can last just as long as other styles.
There are many beauty supplies on the market for every hairstyle. You will need regular hair care to get those braids hair periodically tight. You will also learn that you can’t maintain your hair too intensely. You can potentially damage your hair by too much tightening or washing. Some styles like clip-in are effortless to maintain.
HOW TO DETANGLE KANEKALON SYNTHETIC BRAIDING HAIR?
Hairstyles left for long enough will start to lock and intertwine with natural hair. To detangle, it’s best to start with a nice moisturizing conditioner. Groom your hair with a wide-toothed comb and start the detangling process. Kanekalon offers many ombre hair colors. These styles go great with Senegalese twist ombre colors.
DO FAUX LOCS USE KANEKALON HAIR?
It is prevalent to see Kanekalon fibers used in many faux locs styles. Kanekalon hair looks great with box braids and other crochet braiding hairstyles. Because of synthetic fiber composition, the smoothness creates an ultra braid. This type of hair makes locs maintenance very easy and will look great for longer periods of time. Faux locs can use mixtures of human hair, natural hair, and synthetic hair mixes. Make sure to add faux locs to your wishlists!
CONCLUSION
Synthetic fibers like Kanekalon have been widely popular for years as a go-to fiber in faux locs. These fibers make great alternatives to human hair. If you would like to recommend some other great uses for Kanekalon please leave a comment below.
SOURCES
- “History.” History | About Kaneka | KANEKA CORPORATION,
www.kaneka.co.jp/en/corporate/chronicle/ - “About Kanekalon｜Kaneka’s Fibers for Hair Attachments.” 21 Feb. 2020,
www.kanekalon-hair.com/en/about - Draelos, Zoe D. “Essentials of Hair Care Often Neglected: Hair Cleansing.” International Journal of Trichology, Medknow Publications, Jan. 2010,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002407/ - “Modacrylic.” Bitao’s Research Group – In SNST, Lanzhou University,
snst-hu.lzu.edu.cn/zhangyi/ndata/Modacrylic.html
