Raw Hair VS Virgin Hair: What Are The Differences Between Them?
Raw hair and Virgin hair are two terms that have been frequently mentioned in the hair industry to describe the different hair types. You may have heard of raw hair and virgin hair before, but you may still be confused about these two concepts.
Don’t worry about it. The following blog will explain the differences between raw hair and virgin hair systematically.
After reading this blog, you will have a clear and comprehensive understanding of these two concepts. What’s more, you can also learn how to choose between them and save your money.
1. What is Raw Hair?
Raw Hair is 100% Natural Human Hair that is chemically unprocessed in any way and usually sourced from more than one donor.
That means no perms, no dyes, and minimal heat styling, if any at all.
The textures of raw hair are typically straight, natural wave, and curly because raw hair is unaltered in any way.
Raw hair is the highest quality hair you can get on the market.
Please remember that once the hair is chemically processed, processed by perming and dying, or heat and steam styling, it is no longer raw hair. That is to say, raw hair is as pure as it gets.
(source: ins, rhebundlebarextensions)
2. What is Virgin Hair?
Virgin hair is 100% human hair, mostly with intact cuticles.
Virgin hair refers to hair that has not undergone any perm or other chemical treatment, including dyeing, perming, or bleaching, which is generally considered to be a high-quality wig raw material.
Virgin hair is hair in its natural state, exactly as originally grown from the scalp. This purity makes virgin hair highly desirable for its healthy look and feel.
It should be noted that certain types of “virgin” strands may have undergone minimal processing or steaming to achieve desired textures and colors, and they are usually sourced from a single donor.
Different companies have different standards, so the quantities of virgin hair vary from company to company.
Occasionally, what is defined as “virgin hair” may have been lightly processed and mixed with synthetic hair for some companies in order to save money.
The quality of virgin hair depends on the supplier, details of what treatments have been used, and what type of quality control systems they have in place.
(source: ins, vchaivietnam.lan)
3. The features of Raw Hair Extension:
①It is the highest and purest hair type on the market.
②It is rare, and every bundle has a unique appearance, which is the reason why it is so expensive.
③It is sourced from more than one donor.
④It is full cuticle hair.
⑤Its lifespan can be more than five years if you take care of it carefully.
⑥It needs more maintenance to get the nutrition.
⑦Its textures are limited to natural hair patterns, such as straight, weave, and curly.
⑧Its colors are limited to natural blacks, browns, grays, and blondes.
(source: ins, wholesalebundlesanwigs_danna)
4. The features of Virgin Hair Extension
①Every bundle is uniform, for it has been processed chemically or heated and steamed.
②It is sourced from a single donor.
③Its cuticles are most intact.
④Its lifespan can last more than one year if you take care of it carefully.
⑤Its textures are various.
⑥Its colors are various.
(source: ins, lagogohair_micky)
5. The differences between Raw Hair and Virgin Hair
①Source
a)Raw hair is mostly sourced from countries like India, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
b)Virgin hair is mostly sourced from countries like India, China, Brazil, Malaysia, and Peru.
②Texture
a)Raw hair is as pure as it gets and is in its raw form, either straight, wavy, or curly.
b)Virgin hair is still natural but may have been processed or steamed to align the
texture.
③Durability
a)Raw hair extensions can last more than five years if it is properly cared for, as the cuticles of this hair are intact and aligned in the same direction.
b)Virgin hair extensions can last a little longer than one year, depending on how often you style and maintain it, or even shorter if it has been processed for texture consistency.
④Hairstyles
a)Raw hair can be straightened, curled, and colored without any damage, for its natural texture and strength are intact. You can also use heat styling tools to restyle it and dye it.
b)Virgin hair is versatile in hairstyles, and you can restyle it with heat tools and dye it. However, if you expose it to constant heat and chemical treatments, its lifespan will be cut down.
⑤Price
a)Raw hair is more expensive than virgin hair because of its highest quality and scarcity. What’s more, the labor of processing it also increases the price.
b)Virgin hair is relatively cheaper than raw hair. However, it is still more expensive than any other hair type.
⑥Treatment
a)Raw hair has not undergone chemical treatments or any process like steam and heat.
b)Virgin hair has been processed by steaming or heating to achieve the desired textures and colors.
⑦Supply
a)Raw hair is taken from more than one donor, so the supply is abundant.
b)Virgin hair is taken from a single donor, so the supply is limited.
⑧Smell
a)Raw hair smells well because it has not been treated with chemicals, and the smell of it often comes from the conditioner.
b)Virgin hair doesn’t smell well because it needs chemicals to keep its shape after heating or steaming, and the smell of chemicals will last for a long time.
⑨Grade
a)Raw hair is usually double drawn hair, and it needs laborers to remove the shorter strands.
b)Virgin hair is usually single drawn hair because it comes from a single donor.
The following is a table that can help you better distinguish the differences between raw hair and virgin hair.
| Raw hair | Virgin hair | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Sourced from countries like India, Cambodia, and Vietnam. | Sourced from countries like India, China, Brazil, Malaysia, and Peru. |
| Texture | In its raw form, either straight, wavy, or curly. | Still natural but may have been processed or steamed to align the texture. |
| Durability | Lasts more than five years with careful maintenance. | Lasts a little longer than one year. |
| Hairstyles |
①Can be straightened, curled, and colored. ②You can also use heat styling tools to restyle it and dye it. |
①Versatile in hairstyles, and you can restyle it with heat tools and dye it. ②It will shorten its lifespan if it uses chemicals too often. |
| Price | Higher | Lower than raw hair, but still higher than any other hair type. |
| Treatment | No perms, no dyes, and minimal heat styling, if any at all. | Been processed by steaming or heating. |
| Supply | More than one donor | A single donor |
| Smell | Well | Not so well, and it has a chemical smell |
| Grade | Double drawn hair | Single drawn hair |
6. Which is better, Raw Hair or Virgin Hair?
When we choose hair types, we should make the decision according to our individual needs and preferences. Actually, there is no better hair type between raw hair and virgin hair.
If you are looking for a large quantity of hair that hasn’t been processed, smells well, and has a long lifespan, raw hair is a good choice for you.
If you are looking for hair that is versatile in hairstyles and has more textures, such as curly and weave, virgin hair is a suitable choice for you.
What’s more, the price of virgin hair is lower than raw hair, so you can buy it with a reasonable and affordable budget.
All in all, we should choose the hair type depending on the individual needs and preferences. Please remember that the most expensive one is not necessarily the best, and the one that suits us is the best.
Conclusion:
After reading this blog, you must have a clearer and more systematic understanding of raw hair and virgin hair. When you purchase wigs, you should take your needs and preferences into consideration, rather than just thinking about the prices.
In conclusion, when we choose hair types, we should buy the one that suits us most rather than the one that is most expensive.
It’s my pleasure if this blog can really help you. You can contact me by email, no matter what problems you have.
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