If you have cut your hair short, you may have noticed that your head feels lighter afterwards
This is completely normal and you may be surprised how much weight is hanging from your head
In this article, we’ll tell you how much hair weighs – we’ll cover human hair, synthetic hair, weaves, and more
Table of contents1 How much does hair weigh? 11 How much does wet hair weigh? 2 Does dry hair usually weigh less? Human Hair Wigs6 How You Can Measure Your Hair61 Related Articles
There is no easy way to determine the average amount of hair you have, as it can vary in thickness and weight from person to person
However, there is a way to calculate how much your hair can weigh based on the length and weight of your hair
To begin with, the average hair size is about 000015 ounces, which is very light
The next step is to determine how much hair you have on your head – although you may have between 80,000 and 150,000 hairs, this number varies by hair color
Red heads have the least hair density at about 85,000 strands
Brunettes can have up to 155,000 strands on their head
Multiplying these numbers by the average hair weight (000015) can yield your approximate hair weight in pounds
Blonde hair weighs about 1 to 2 ounces on average
Of course, these are only averages, so thicker hair will be heavier than thinner hair
The difference in weight may not be noticeable even if you can exchange your hair with someone else’s
The only way you can notice a difference in the density of your hair is if you cut several inches of hair at once
How much does wet hair weigh?
As mentioned above, the average hair shaft weighs about 000015 oz
Although, you may have noticed that your hair feels heavier when it’s wet
Your hair can swell about 15% larger than its actual size when it’s wet
Not only does the hair absorb water, but moisture is also trapped between the fibers, adding more weight
The moisture in wet hair doesn’t add as much weight as you might think, though
If you weigh yourself before and after a shower, you may even notice the difference
The exception will be very long hair, which can gain an ounce or two when it’s wet
Does Regularly Dry Hair Weave Less?
As mentioned above, hair absorbs water, swelling larger than its average size
If your hair is dry, it has even more moisture content than other hair types
Lack of adequate moisture will reduce hair density, even more, so your hair will be lighter than well-hydrated hair
How Much Does Synthetic Hair Weigh?
Modern synthetic hair is so well differentiated, that many people cannot even tell the difference between it and natural hair
These fibers are lighter in weight than natural hair
The fibers used for synthetic hair are not as dense as the keratin that makes up your actual fibers
Despite this fact, they also add more weight to the existing hair when the synthetic hair is mixed with your natural hair
The exact size of a synthetic wig will depend on its length, thickness, and weight
How Much Do Hair Bundles Weigh?
The natural hairs are then attached to the wefts to hold the strands together
These bundles of hair are then used for weaving
Their average hair bundle is around 4 ounces
For the most part, you won’t use just one bundle for your weave
How much you need will depend on your head size, hair length, and desired thickness
Since they are usually made with natural hair, their curls are the same as the rest of your hair
However, the weft adds weight that you may not have considered when buying a weave
Although the bundles won’t be overly heavy, they can add a couple of extra pounds to the overall weight of your hair
How Much Do Wigs Weigh?
There is no set weight for wigs because there are two different types to choose from
These include synthetic wigs and natural wigs
How much they weigh is the only thing to consider because each has advantages and disadvantages
Synthetic wigs
Synthetic wigs are popular because they are easy to deal with
Synthetic hair is heavier as well compared to natural hair
Depending on the length of the wig, it may add a pound or two to your head
You probably won’t even notice the weight, especially when you wear it every day
The materials used for these wigs cannot handle high heat, so you won’t be able to press iron or press your synthetic wig
They also can’t be restyled, so you’ll need a lot of wigs if you want to change up your look every now and then
Human hair wigs
Human hair wigs are heavier than synthetic wigs by about 15 to 2 pounds
The total weight depends on how the wig is made and the length of the hair
Some wigs are made with ventilation for a more natural look and lightweight wear
Windless wigs with more hairs per knot
Despite the extra weight of natural hair wigs, they have some advantages that are worth considering
There is no way to accurately measure your hair without shaving it off and placing it on a scale
The method described above factors in hair color and 6-inch length – it can only give you an approximate weight
And if your hair is longer or shorter than 6 inches, the method will not bring accurate results
It is also important to take into account the fact that your threads will not all be the same length
Even if you have a clean cut, the hair near the crown of your head will be longer than the strands near the nape
Layering also changes the lengths of individual fibers, which makes accurate weight calculation impossible
Headache
Neck pain
You are most likely to deal with heavy hair when you wear a lot of hair on your head, regardless of whether it is synthetic or human hair
So, keep the weight of your hair in mind when wearing long hair protection
The shorter you wear your hair, and the less hair you add, the less weight you will add to your natural hair
How many individual hairs are there on a person’s head
We have discussed the weight of different types of hair, including synthetic hair, natural hair bundles, wigs, and more
With 15 years of experience, Kenneth has been dedicated to hair care since 2008, when he founded Curl Centric® and Natural Hair Box with his wife
As a group, they promote healthy hair care practices through their comprehensive foundation, Curl Centric
Curl Centric is a website run by a husband and wife team that encourages healthy hair care