Human hair

What is Virgin Hair?

Published By: Dasia

Last Updated: November 12, 2021

Hair additives are quite popular these days. Whether you are a celebrity or an average consumer, hair extensions are easily available.

Due to the fact that lots of different hair types are available, what is the best type for you? You may have heard of the term virgin hair due to its popularity. But what does this mean?

Before you specifically decide on which hair would be best for you, let’s take a look at virgin hair and see what exactly it entails. This will make your end decision easier and ensure you know what exactly you’re getting.

What is virgin hair?

Virgin hair is something that we all possess. It’s untouched hair that we are all born with, it grows straight out of our head. Virgin hair is hair that has never been chemically processed in any way.

This includes color, lighter, or any texturizing services. Once you have applied one of these services to your hair, you can’t go back to being virgin unless you cut it all off and start fresh.

Virgin hair is generally very strong due to the fact that it has never been processed before. Stylists are usually fond of virgin hair due to the fact that it’s a blank slate. If you ever decide to process the hair it will more than likely be easier than another hair that has already been processed.

Why is virgin hair so popular?

Due to the fact that it’s premium grade it not only looks, but also feels luxurious. Although virgin hair can be quite expensive, its appearance often makes up for the fact. Also it comes from a donor, so that adds value.

Virgin hair is cut in a natural state. This means that no two bundles are exactly alike, the texture patterns are slightly different. While this may seem odd, it’s actually quite convenient because there is something for everyone.

Since the hair is a blank slate, you can do virtually anything with it. Color, apply heat, braid, the options are endless. You can also leave it in its unprocessed state to get the most wear out of the hair.

What are the common types of virgin hair?

There are many different types of hair but which are the most common and why?

  • Brazilian hairHas a light, shiney, and silky look. Most versatile and popular of all the types of hair.
  • Peruvian hair – Durable, thick, and coarse. Great for blending with natural hair that isn’t as smooth as other extensions.
  • Malaysian hair – Soft, silky, and full. A great option for those whose natural hair is soft and fine in texture.

Is virgin hair a good option for extensions?

It honestly depends what you are looking for. Due to the fact that the hair is so healthy, the extensions usually last fairly long.

This is a great thing to hear when deciding what type of hair to get. You want something with longevity. 

The reason virgin hair may not be such a good option for extensions is due to the color factor. If the hair you want to blend the extensions with is not a natural color, you will find it difficult to get a seamless result.

Other than that the texture of virgin hair is another reason this type of hair is a good option for many.

What is the difference between virgin hair and human hair?

A general rule of thumb is all virgin hair is human hair but not all human hair is virgin. Human hair can be colored and textured resulting in it not being virgin.

The biggest difference is how it’s processed, or the lack of being so. Virgin hair is not chemically treated but it still does fall into the human hair category.

Another big difference is the price. Human hair is generally cheaper than virgin hair. One reason is due to its life expectancy. Virgin hair is estimated to last about 1 year and a half if not more and human hair around half the time, about 6 months.

Read more: Raw vs Virgin Hair

The advantages and disadvantages of virgin hair

What are some things to keep in mind when dealing with virgin hair?

Pros 

  • Healthy – Due to its unprocessed nature, the hair strands themselves are very high quality. They are moisturized and completely natural.
  • Thick – Virgin hair is a great option for those who struggle with hair loss. The hair is thick and firm. While this is the case the stands are still flexible and contain a lot of volume.
  • Flexibility – You can easily color it to whatever you desire or add in other texturizing agents to it. Due to its strong vitality, you don’t have to worry about the hair breaking off or turning weird colors.

Cons

  • Price – Virgin hair is some of the most expensive hair on the market. Its quality and durability are the reason behind the high markup. Consumers are often okay with paying the high price given what they receive in return.

What is the longevity of virgin hair?

Virgin hair tends to last longer than processed hair due to its strength of not being chemically damaged. At the end of the day, just like any type of hair, you need to regularly maintain it to have it last to its longest potential.

Virgin hair typically lasts 1-2 years and maintains its high quality throughout unless you continually damage it. Brushing and washing the hair on a regular basis will allow the hair to reach a potential of over a year. 

The more you maintain the durability of the hair, the longer it will last.

Misconceptions About Virgin Hair

Some people think that just because the hair is not growing out of your head you don’t need to treat it like real human hair. Virgin hair is 100% human hair meaning it reacts to the environment exactly like your natural hair.

It can collect buildup and dirt. You don’t need to wash it as often considering the natural oils from your scalp likely aren’t hitting the extensions but the hair still needs to be cleaned.

Another misconception is that virgin hair can not get damaged. While the hair starts out healthier, if you continually process it damage can be done.

Unlike hair that grows out of your head, Once these extensions are damaged they’re done and a new bundle will have to be purchased. Applying heat protectant to that hair and minimally coloring will keep the extensions looking their best.

How to know the quality of virgin hair?

Just because the hair is labeled virgin it doesn’t mean it is. You have to do thorough research to ensure the supplier isn’t scamming. 

Here is a quick test you can do. Pick a strand of hair large enough to see the color, then hold the tips near the base. If the tips aren’t lighter than the base then it can’t be virgin. It has been processed in some sort of way.

Another test you can do to decipher the quality is determining how the hair feels. If it’s cool to the touch, it retains moisture and wicks away heat. So the cooler the hair feels the higher the quality is.

How much does virgin hair cost on average?

Virgin hair can vary greatly in price, oftentimes the length can have a big effect on this. The longer the hair is, the more you can expect to pay.

Bundles, wigs, and other hair pieces like closures or frontals easily range around $100 if not more. Considering this is the case, taking care of the hair is of utmost importance.

Oftentimes companies offer deals where you can purchase a package of bundles and a closure to complete the look. This ensures you get the best price for your desired style without sacrificing the quality. 

Tips and Tricks for Virgin Hair

Brush the hair to ensure it stays tangle free. Starting from the bottom and working your way up is ideal in preventing unnecessary tension or pulling.

When washing the hair try not to scrunch or scrub the hair, this aids in preventing further tangles. Also try avoiding brushing the hair aggressively while wet.

Learn about co-washing. This is beneficial for retaining moisture in the hair. Even though the hair may not be processed, it can still get damaged. [1]

Avoid alcohol based products as they increase dryness of the hair strands. Apply a lightweight product that does not weigh down the hair strands and seal in with an oil. 

The Bottom Line

Virgin hair is so popular for a good reason. It’s premium quality and you really do get what you pay for.

Keep in mind virgin hair is a type of human hair. This is one reason why it may be a good option for extensions.

Remember that at times the label may mean nothing, just because it’s labeled as virgin hair, this means nothing. Do thorough research to ensure you are not getting scammed. 

There are so many different tips and tricks to help maintain the hair. Surely they will be a great pick for you and a beneficial investment.

 

Dasia

A lover of all things beauty related whose been in the industry for about 5 years. While I'd love to say I'm a self-taught prodigy, I'm actually a licensed cosmetologist who has spent countless hours studying hair. I quickly learned sharing valuable information with like-minded individuals allows everyone to make the right choices when dealing with their hair. As a curly girl myself I love to experiment with different styles on a regular basis. While I do have a busy schedule between work, freelancing, and school; I always seem to find time for my hair.

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