What is Raw Hair and How Does it Differ To Virgin Hair?
What is Raw Hair?
Raw hair is 100% unprocessed hair that has been sourced and cut from a single donor, and has not undergone any chemical processing such as, coloring or perming. Raw hair is collected in its unaltered state, allowing it to maintain its quality, authenticity and natural pattern. Unlike many processed hair extensions, raw hair is able to maintain its natural cuticle alignment. Cuticles are the outermost layer of the hair shaft, and work to protect the inner layers of hair from damage. When the cuticles remain aligned, this reduces the likelihood of the hair tangling, matting or shedding and ensures the hair remains smooth and shiny. This makes raw hair a premium choice for hair extensions.
The Benefits of Raw Hair
One reason raw hair is highly favored amongst various hair extension types is due to its longevity and durability. Since it has not been subjected to chemical processing, it is able to maintain its authenticity and natural texture and is therefore less likely to become brittle and damaged over time. This makes raw hair popular as with the right care, it can last you several years making it a long-term and worth-wile investment in high-quality hair.
As well as this, raw hair is highly versatile. It can be dyed, styled in various ways and treated without having to worry about compromising the quality of the hair extensions. This makes it a perfect match for those who would like to customize their extensions or change up their look often.
How Does Raw Hair Differ from Virgin Hair?
Whilst both raw hair and virgin hair are great options, for different reasons, they differ in their sources and processing. Virgin hair refers to hair that has been chemically treated and may come from multiple donors, as opposed to just one. Whilst raw hair is collected from a single donor, ensuring consistency in texture and quality, virgin hair on the other hand, is often a mixture of hair from different sources, resulting in potential variations in quality and texture. Because of this, virgin hair is chemically processed to ensure the blend of hair from different donors appears smooth and shiny. Furthermore, virgin hair may also be processed to create a hair pattern. Popular patterns that are made from hair processing include, Bodywave, Deepwave, Kinky Straight, Burmese Curly and many others. Although they are all beautiful hair textures, they are all man-made textures and cannot be cut and collected directly from a donor, meaning they are made from virgin hair. This differs to raw hair as raw hair does not include hair that has a uniform pattern, similar to the textures mentioned above.
Typically, raw hair is considered superior as it is in its authentic state, ensuring greater durability, versatility and a more luxurious appearance. The absence of chemical processing allows it to maintain its natural luster, softness and strength. It is also more resilient to heat styling due to the lack of processing, making it a great choice for long-term use. Alternatively, whilst virgin hair is still high-quality, it may not have the same longevity , making raw hair a better investment for those seeking premium, long-lasting hair extensions.