If you haven't been living under a rock for the past few years, you've most likely witnessed the rise in popularity of raw hair. Yet with all of the attention raw hair has been receiving, very few people know what raw hair is and what differentiates it from other hair types. In this article, we will discuss the specific differences between raw hair and virgin hair.
What is Raw Hair?
Raw hair, as the name suggests, is raw because it has not been chemically processed and comes from a single donor. It is considered the purest form of hair. Its purity is what contributes to its variation in color and texture. It is very common to see bundles of raw hair in different colors and shades as this reflects the diversity of the donors.
Raw hair typically requires more maintenance than other types of hair. This is because it has not been processed and performs like natural hair. Just like your real hair, raw hair will respond to the weather and how you care for it. That being said, raw hair can last five or more years with great care, which makes it an attractive option for people who like to reuse their extensions and wigs.
Raw hair extensions and wigs are far more expensive than that of virgin hair, as the quality and rarity of raw hair factor into its price. As mentioned, raw hair is sourced from a single donor which means hair is available only when that donor can produce it. This creates limited supply which drives the price up. Still, many people interested in long-lasting hair see raw hair as a worthwhile investment.
What is Virgin Hair?
Virgin hair is hair that has not been chemically processed and usually comes from multiple donors. Unlike raw hair which is straightforward as to what it is and how it is sourced, virgin hair is nuanced. This is because marketers in the hair industry used virgin hair as a blanket term for all types of hair, some of which met the virgin hair standard and some which did not.
The original definition of virgin hair is 100% natural human hair that has never been processed in any way. However, many types of virgin hair are steam-processed or altered mechanically to achieve desired hair textures. Other types of virgin hair are chemically processed.
*Note: At Hair And Silk we do not chemically process our Virgin Hair. Our collection is only steam-processed to maintain the quality of the hair.
Which hair is better?
The condition of raw hair and virgin hair depends on the distributors, donors and how the hair is produced. Just as there is high-grade raw hair, there is low-grade raw hair. Similarly, just as there is low-grade virgin hair, there is high-grade virgin hair. This depends on how the hair is sourced and produced. For example, at Hair And Silk our virgin hair is only steam processed. (ex. our water wave hair is raw human hair that has been steam processed to achieve the pattern)
Which type of hair extension is best for me?
The type of hair extension that will be best for you depends on your style and what fits your lifestyle. The best way to find your perfect hair match is to try different ones! If you're a first time Hair And Silk girly, we recommend our Virgin Body Wave or our Virgin Water Wave. Welcome to the Hair And Silk Society!
Have any other questions about our collection? Send us an email at info@hairandsilk.com.