If you follow hair trends and love experimenting with color-treated styles, you might have heard of virgin hair. This term simply means hair that hasn’t been altered by color or chemical processes. Whether you’re looking to maintain your natural hair or explore the world of extensions, knowing the details of this hair type is essential.
Proper hair care is crucial, even for damaged tresses or virgin strands. Maintaining a good routine is important to keep your hair healthy. Keep reading to learn more about how to care for virgin hair effectively.
What are Virgin Hair?
Virgin hair is untouched hair that we are born with, free from any color-treated or chemically processed alterations. These strands have never undergone perms, bleaches, color treatments, or dyes—including highlights and ombré styles.
Once hair is processed or dyed, it loses its virgin status forever. Colorists love working with virgin hair because it is easier to color and retains its strength, having never been damaged by chemicals. This is why many high-end extensions are made from virgin hair.
It’s the perfect hair type for weaves and extensions, remaining chemically treated-free and natural.
What are Virgin Hair Extensions?
Virgin Hair refers to 100% Natural Human Hair that has never been manipulated or processed in any way. However, in the world of human hair extensions, Virgin Hair often means human hair that has been chemically altered or mechanically manipulated to achieve different textures and colors. This hair is typically sourced from multiple donors.
Most of the Virgin Hair sold today has characteristics of former Remy Hair, which is processed from 100% Virgin Hair donors and brought to market, but this lowers the quality. This trend has impacted the virgin hair market, lowering the industry standard on what was once known as the Gold Standard.
Is Virgin Hair the Best Hair for Weaves and Extensions?
Virgin hair is often considered the best choice for those seeking a long-lasting style that looks healthy and natural. Unlike synthetic or chemically treated hair, virgin hair retains its cuticles and typically comes from a single donor, meaning it hasn’t been exposed to damaging chemicals.
These factors contribute to the healthy appearance and durability of weave hair.However, if you’re on a budget or seeking a short-term look, virgin hair might not be the best option due to its expensive nature.
Although it offers high quality and lasts longer than other types of hair, money can be saved by opting for synthetic or non-virgin human hair if you don’t plan on reusing the hair. For quick weaves, virgin hair may not be practical since it is not easily reusable.
For those who don’t have black or brown hair, finding virgin blonde or red hair can be challenging due to a lack of donors with that natural hair color. In this case, your best option is to find authentic remy hair that has been dyed to match your hair color.
While virgin hair isn’t widely available in all colors, it does come in a variety of textures. Many virgin hair bundles undergo a steaming process to achieve different types of curls and textures.
If you want hair that hasn’t been manipulated or processed, raw hair is the way to go, though it is more difficult to find and more expensive than virgin hair.
What is the Difference Between Virgin and Human Hair?
Virgin hair is human hair that hasn’t been chemically treated. This makes virgin hair extensions unique because they retain their natural qualities.
On the other hand, not all human hair extensions or weaves are virgin hair; many are colored and processed. This processing changes the texture and durability of the hair, differentiating it from its virgin state.
Is All Human Hair Virgin Hair?
Not all human hair is virgin hair. Virgin hair is human hair that has not undergone any form of chemical processing and retains its cuticles intact. Often, human hair marketed as 100 percent human hair may not be virgin; it could come from multiple donors and have mixed sources, which affects its quality.
Additionally, to prevent human hair bundles from getting tangled, the strands must be aligned from root to tip. For this level of quality, look for authentic Remy hair, which ensures that all strands are properly aligned.
How long does Virgin Hair Last?
Virgin hair tends to last longer than chemically processed extensions and weaves. The longevity is significantly dependent on how well you care for it. Unlike wigs and other types of extensions, virgin hair requires specific maintenance routines, slightly different from how you might care for hair on your head. Proper care ensures that it maintains its quality over time.
What is the Best Hair Care Routine for Virgin Hair?
To keep your natural virgin strands super healthy and gorgeous, it’s crucial to maintain a consistent hair care routine. If you need help getting your routine into shape, try this simple, four-step routine.
Clean Your Strands Regularly
The first step in any hair care routine for virgin hair is to shampoo and condition your strands regularly. Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner system that is formulated to be gentle on your hair is crucial. For those dealing with frizzy hair as a primary concern, products like L’Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Shampoo and Conditioner are ideal.
If your hair tends to be dry and lackluster, opting for a moisture-replenishing system such as L’Oréal Paris EverCreme Deep Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner will help maintain the health and appearance of your strands.
Scalp Scrubbing
Regardless of your hair type, whether colored or virgin hair, exfoliating your scalp has significant benefits. It’s essential to realize that your scalp is an extension of your complexion and needs to be properly cleansed to produce healthy strands. Over time, excess oil, dead skin cells, and leftover hair care products can build up on your scalp, hindering hair health.
Deep Conditioning
The importance of a deep conditioning treatment for maintaining the health of virgin hair cannot be overstated. Whether your hair is colored or virgin, integrating a deep conditioner into your care routine is highly beneficial.
A couple of times a week, consider swapping your regular conditioner for a good deep conditioner that is appropriate for your hair texture and needs. This practice helps maintain the natural vitality and luster of virgin hair.
Don’t Forget Leave-In Conditioner
After stepping out of the shower, it’s crucial to apply a nourishing hair treatment or serum to your damp strands. This step is essential after every wash to help keep your virgin hair looking healthy and hydrated.
Additionally, using a bit of the same product on dry hair as a finishing touch can help tame flyaways and smooth frizz. This routine not only maintains the moisture balance of your hair but also enhances its natural shine and manageability.
FAQs
Is Virgin Human Hair Real Hair?
Yes, virgin hair is 100% human hair that has never been chemically treated or dyed. This makes it the purest form of human hair available, ensuring natural quality and durability.
How to Tell if Hair is Virgin?
To check if hair is virgin, ensure it hasn’t undergone any chemical processing. True virgin hair can only be treated with water and heat, making steam-processed hair still considered unprocessed. This means the hair retains its natural state and quality.
What is the Difference Between Virgin Hair and Natural Hair?
Virgin hair is steamed and processed to give it a texture like a deep waves or loose waves, but it is not chemically altered. Raw hair has not been steamed or processed and will behave just like human hair growing naturally.
Is Virgin Hair Fake?
No, virgin hair is 100% real human hair. The cuticles are intact and running in the same direction, ensuring that the hair has never been chemically processed or color-treated in any way.
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