By: Dr. Edward Tony Lloneau\n\nIn the last article that I wrote on this subject called Hair* Hair! Hair? Human-Synthetic-Animal. In that article I attempted to explain the differences in quality, troche case texture and to identify the source of each grade and type of commercial hair. Since that time I have come across more information in this regard. But first let’s review what was eluted to in that article in part… There are basically three (3) different kinds of commercial hair from many different sources, ambulance they are 1. Human, (meaning that it was derived from a human person). 2. Synthetic, (made from various types of nylon fiber). 3. Animal, (from unique breeds of dogs, goats and horse type animals. Human hair is the most popular for obvious reasons. But there are many grades of human hair. Such as Asian, Middle Eastern, European and from a much lesser degree, Domestic.\n\nEuropean hair is the most popular and therefore is the most sought after and most expensive because it is not as course as the others, and therefore is easier to style and maintain, plus it resembles the appearance that is most desirable. Synthetic hair is the least expensive and is much more plentiful because it can be mass-produced to meet the demand. However it is the least desirable because it has a smooth plastic like appearance and feel that does not resemble the natural look of human hair, and it can not be styled or restyled because hot curling irons could melt it, and wet sets will not hold. Supply of human hair is limited and in large demand, therefore is more costly.\n\nThis brings us to the main purpose of the article ANIMAL HAIR. As its name implies this hair is derived from an animal source. However the purveyors, processors and distributors seldom if ever refer to it as animal or describe what animal it came from. This hair cost as much (and in some cases more than human hair because of the processing that it must go through to resemble human hair). The names used to disguise its true source are Yakie, Yaky or the newest term is PROTEIN HAIR.\n\nThis term is appropriate because the chemical makeup of animal hair is protein as is human hair. However, animal hair has more of a fur type texture because its true purpose was to keep the animal warm or to protect the skin from the environment and/or predators. The use of animal hair came about as a result of the increasing demand for human hair that could not be supplied. So the market demanded that a look and feel alike substitute be made available other than synthetics. It is ironic when you realize that most human hair came from Asian countries and the main source of animal hair also comes from Asia. The Yak is an animal native to Thailand; its hair is long and most resembles human hair. A dog known as the Shih-Tzu is native to China. Its hair is also long and resembles human quality. The quality of this animal hair is high when you consider that it is more resilient, meaning that it is more flexible, elastic and supple than harvested human hair. When chemically treated (to prevent matting) and flat ironed, it most resembles Afro hair that has been successfully relaxed or permanently curled. As you can understand here, is that there is nothing negative about the use of animal hair, other than the fact that it is not disclosed as animal hair. Therein lies a potential problem. There are people who suffer an allergic reaction to animal hair. If the consumer is not made aware of this, then it could lead to a lawsuit due to nondisclosure. As referred to earlier in this article, there is nothing inherently wrong with the use of animal hair, other than the fact that it is not labeled to reveal its true origin as required by the Fair Trade Commission and consumer laws that regulate products sold to the public.\n\nAnother misleading factor here that you should be aware of in order to be of better service to your retail customers is this, many products on the market state on the labeling that it contains 100% of the ingredient. Then when you read the ingredient list you discover that it contains several other ingredients other than the item listed as 100%. This is because the misleading word here is “Contains”. The product does indeed have in it 100% of that ingredient along with other ingredients that make up the total product. If the product was 100% of an ingredient, then the label would read 100% of the stated ingredient with out the word “CONTAINS”. For example, most apple juice on the market claim to “contain” 100% apple juice, but 100% apple juice is just one of the ingredients along with several other ingredients that are mostly water. 100% apple juice is just one of several other ingredients that comprise the total product.\n\nThe same holds true with commercial hair. If the label read “Contains” 100% human hair, then the chances are that the package has other fibers that are not human hair. By law, the package should list what percentage of the package is human hair and what percentage is to the fibers by listing the ingredients in graduating order, listing the ingredient that it contains most first. If this is not done, then it could open the door to legal problems for the retailer, distributors and purveyor who’s trade name is on the package. Allergies can be a real concern when the consumer is not made aware of what is making contact with their skin.\n\nI sincerely hope that you will accept this information as a positive step to prevent a negative action in the future.