I started this company with the idea that I’d bring affordable healthy hair accessories to people with hair.
I, like many women and men, are more than willing to drop good money for hair products to ensure our manes are happy and healthy. It has always been important to me to use products that are non-drying, don’t cause breakage, and that maintain the health and style of my hair. For this, I had been choosing satin products thinking they were weaved of silk, which I’d heard was the best fiber for hair. I had no idea that all along I had been wrapping my hair in and sleeping on fabrics made of plain man-made, environment-hurting, plasticky polyester.
In the years that I’ve been buying products including scarves, scrunchies and pillowcases for myself and my family I had no idea that much of what’s available in-store is not optimal for hair. Many of the companies that make these products are often owned and run by people (men) who aren’t using their own goods. They are then sold world-wide in stores like Target, Amazon, and countless convenience and beauty supply stores which makes access convenient for millions. As a consumer, knowing that major stores sold these brands and marketed them towards people with curly and coily hair, I assumed the products were quality especially since they’re not usually cheap. However, I’ve come to understand that the brands that currently saturate the market will always sacrifice quality for profit.
Every product sold on this site has been selected with the user in mind and is used every day by me, the founder, and my family. They're healthy for hair, for skin, and for the environment. But don’t take my word for it, read on to learn why I turned what I learned into a business.
What is Silk?
Silk is made from fibronin, a protein fiber produced by insects including beetles, bees, weaver ants, and most commonly, the silkworm, for their nests and cocoons.
Silk has a rich history that dates back to ancient China, which is said to have been discovered around 2700 BC. Its production was a closely guarded secret in China for many years, with silk fabrics being reserved for royalty and the elite.
Eventually, silk production spread to other parts of the world, becoming a highly sought-after luxury fabric used for currency and trading. The fabric was transported along trade networks called the Silk Road. The Silk Road opened opportunities for sharing ideas, local goods and services, culture, facilitating politics, and connecting countries in the East and West.
Silk is a natural fabric that’s soft and luxurious. It’s smooth to the touch and has breathable and hypoallergenic properties that make it perfect for hair and skin products like our Heritage scrunchies, pillowcases, headbands, and (soon) wraps.
What is Polyester?
Many “silk” or satin products found in-store are actually made of polyester. The polyester fibers are woven into a satin weave that's designed to mimic the look and feel of real silk but at a more affordable price point.
Polyester is a synthetic, man-made fabric that is derived from petroleum-based products. It was first introduced in the early 20th century and is considered a versatile fabric known for its durability, wrinkle resistance, and easy care. It’s often used in clothing, bedding, and upholstery due to its affordability and ability to hold vibrant colors.
It’s effects on hair and the environment are less than impressing, however. In a study that investigated polyester’s impact on hair growth, it was concluded that synthetic fabrics like polyester may inhibit growth due to electrostatic potentials generated by the fabric on skin whereas growth appeared to be uninhibited by natural fibers like cotton and woolen textiles. Synthetic materials are also harder on hair leading to frizz, increased pressure, damage, and breakage.
Additionally, while longevity is one of the "positive" qualities of polyester, that same longevity is damaging our planet as plastic is not biodegradable. The environment is significantly harmed from production to disposal of these plastics, which can take anywhere from 20-200 years to decompose.
Further, polyester sheds microplastics, which we’re learning are now found everywhere. They get into our bodies through our food, furniture, clothing, water, and air and they remain in our bodies and in the bodies of animals and marine life with the potential to cause cancer and other serious health issues.
What Is Satin?
Satin is a weave that can be made from a variety of materials, including silk, polyester, and nylon. Satin is characterized by its smooth, shiny surface on one side, created by a technique that allows the fibers to be packed closely together.
Why Heritage Chooses Silk
Polyester is a scary thing. At Heritage Hair Co., we care about the health of our customers, ourselves, and the planet and certainly don’t want to be part of what is becoming a huge and very alarming problem. We believe that silk is the healthier choice even if it means that we offer a still affordable, but more expensive product.
Ultimately, the choice between purchasing polyester hair products and real silk products depends on your priorities. What works for you is absolutely a personal choice. Just know that we will continue to offer you the option to choose accessories that are healthy, beautiful, breathable, naturally elastic and absorbent, soft and cool, and environmentally friendly. Tempting, right?
If you are in the area on Saturday, June 15th visit us at the St. Cloud Fun Fest in West Orange, NJ to feel the difference between our products and those of our competitors'.
Further Reading
- https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/ancient-medieval/silk-road/a/the-silk-road#:~:text=The%20Silk%20Road%20was%20a,caused%20an%20increase%20in%20trade.
- https://lovesilk.co.nz/blogs/all-about-silk/silk-satin-and-polyester-what-are-the-differences#:~:text='No'%20is%20the%20unquestionable%20answer,created%20from%20coal%20and%20petroleum.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8274779/
- https://cfda.com/resources/materials/detail/polyester
- https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4097&context=sspapers#:~:text=Depending%20on%20manufacture%20quality%2C%20fabric,%3B%20Chen%20and%20Burns%202006).
- https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/09/health/microplastics-sxsw-health-plastic-people.html