Both virgin hair and remy hair are some of the best quality hair you can buy. They are both human hair, and may even come from the same source.
However, though they might seem the same, there are key differences between them. These differences can determine if either of these choices suits your needs or not.
What is Remy and Virgin Hair?
Remy hair is human hair that has been processed. The word “remy” simply means the direction of the cuticle of the hair. It is hair with strands that are aligned from root to tip in the same direction. Remy hair is sourced by one or multiple donors and is not stripped – leaving the cuticles intact. It is processed to be smooth and sleeker than non-remy hair and is less likely to knot and tangle.
Virgin hair is human hair that has not been processed by chemicals or dying. The strands are healthier than remy and non-remy hair and last longer. Virgin hair is steamed processed, to ensure the hair texture is all the same pattern or to alter the curls.
Though they are both made from human hair, there are several ways in which remy and virgin hair differ.
Differences Between Remy and Virgin Hair
Remy and Virgin hair have distinguishable differences. Let’s take a look below!
Remy Hair
Processing
Remy hair can be used from virgin hair or non-virgin hair and is then taken through a series of processing. Remy hair is usually dyed to make the hair strands appear healthier because the hair is not as healthy as virgin hair.
Remy hair is also chemically processed to make the hair softer and sleeker. The hair is also made with the strands going all the same downward direction. Due to the hair flowing in one direction, the hair is less likely to tangle than the other hair choices.
Price
Remy hair is less expensive than virgin hair because it is taken from multiple donors and the hair is of less quality than virgin hair.
A donor is a person whose head the hair comes from. Remy hair is harvested from different donors or sources, meaning that the hair can also come from the floor, brushes, etc. The best kind of remy hair is made from virgin hair, but some of the hair is nonvirgin – which is the unhealthiest type of hair.[1]
Remy hair typically costs between $100 to $200.
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Duration of Wear
Due to the hair being so processed and unhealthy, remy hair lasts for a shorter amount of time than virgin hair. Remy hair tends to dry out faster than virgin hair, especially if heat and dyes are applied. At some point may be hard to impart moisture back into the hair, and it will stay stiff and brittle.
Remy hair made from non-virgin hair can last for about 4-6 months, virgin remy hair can last about 6-9 months. The duration of time the hair lasts depends on how healthy it is and how well it is taken care of.
Styling Difficulty
Remy hair is very easy to chemically process and apply heat too because it is not as fresh as virgin hair. This kind of hair is best for people who want to be able to do multiple styles on a regular basis.
Remy hair can also be bought in longer lengths (past 24 in) more than virgin hair because it is taken from multiple donors. Some may think that because the hair comes from multiple donors it may be harder to style, but the chemical processing done to the hair beforehand rids of the difference in texture making it one uniform texture.
Remy hair is also dyed to make the hair conform to a buyer’s want. For example, if the hair is actually brown, the hair may be dyed black to pass for a 1b color. After a few washes, you will begin to see the color of the hair begin to fade into its natural color. The hair may also be dyed to look healthier than it actually is, which can present problems later on.
This hair easily receives dyes very well, and if you plan on dyeing the hair, this is the best hair for that purpose.
Virgin Hair
Processing
Virgin hair is not chemically processed or dyed, but it is steamed processed – giving its distinction from raw hair. Raw hair is hair that is cut straight from the donor’s scalp and has nothing done to it, aside from washing. The curl patterns on raw hair may not all be the same, because many people have multiple hair types.
Steam processing is a way to alter the curl pattern of the hair, in order to make sure that the pattern is the same throughout. Aside from steam processing, there is nothing else done to the hair. The minimal treatment makes the hair healthier, but also it can be harder to manage.
Most people’s hair is frizzy and unruly without products or chemicals applied to it, so virgin hair is also more difficult to style and manage due to its closeness to raw hair.
Price
Virgin hair usually comes from a single donor, which makes it more expensive than remy hair. Virgin Hair also usually does not come very long because it comes from one donor, and most people don’t grow their hair past 24 in.
The average cost of a whole head of virgin hair would be between $300 and $600.
Duration of Wear
Due to the hair being much healthier than remy and non-remy hair, virgin hair can be worn for a longer duration of time. The healthier the hair is, the longer that the hair will go without experiencing damage, such as breakage.
Virgin hair usually lasts for 6-9 months, but with good care, it can last for about a year. The main cause of virgin hair extensions being unusable is the shedding that happens when styling and brushing the hair. The less you wear the hair, the longer it lasts.[2]
Styling Difficulty
Virgin Hair often has not had much processing even when the donor was caring for it. Due to this, virgin hair is harder to chemically process, or even heated. This is popularly known as the hair not being tamed.
There is no way to know how someone else’s hair will take to chemicals or heat unless it has been done before. Some types of virgin hair will damage if it is bleached – which can involve several factors such as the fineness of the hair or texture. If the hair is curly then some types of virgin hair will not re-curl after straightening.
Not knowing how virgin hair will take to processing, or the difficulty of processing is one of the risks people take when purchasing the hair. Virgin hair is best for people who want to wear it in the style that it came in, without extra processing. The hair will look great in its natural state, and some prefer their hair to look natural rather than styled.
The Final Word
It is important to know exactly what you are getting when buying hair, so you know what to expect and how to care for it.
Virgin hair is high maintenance but stays with you longer. Remy is low maintenance but will not look its best for long. Buying hair according to your needs can save you time, stress, and money.