In the extensions biz, this means hair that has never been chemically processed (never straightened, dyed, highlighted, permed) that is cut from a person's head in one sitting. Typically, the hair is tied back, pulled into a tight ponytail, then cleanly cut at the nape.
It can be completed using bonding, fusion or micro rings. For bonded extensions, the strands are sewn in under a layer of hair. The fused technique glues the individual locks in, which is why the entire process can take more than three hours.
The majority of human hair used in wigs and extensions comes from India and China. Religious people make pilgrimages to temples such as the Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, India, where they shave/tonsure their heads in a ritual of devotion.
The fake hair strands are made out of man-made fibers like acrylic or nylon. The fibers are put through various chemical processes to give them a similar look, feel, color, and styling capability as human hair.
Unprocessed hair usually has a single-tone, or sometimes dull, look. (That's where the professionals come in and customize the look to match with your hair.) Thus, processed hair does show better on the shelf in a store or online; however, the naturalness of the hair is gone due to processing.
Unlike virgin hair, raw hair can last up to 4 years or more.
The Flame/Burn Test
This is the one foolproof way of knowing for sure whether the hair is real or synthetic; Pull a couple of long strands of hair out and hold them above a flame – make sure you use a lighter or an unscented candle. If the hair singes and burns upwards while smelling like burnt hair – it is real.
Ethical Alternatives
Human hair is a luxury item, and ethically sourced wigs and extensions will inevitably be expensive. Inexpensive and natural-looking, synthetic hair is also an option. However, the non-recyclable plastic fibers pose an additional set of environmental concerns.
"Remember that synthetic fibers hold dust in a different way than natural hair does. The result is that your scalp can get buildup in the pores, increase in bacteria, and breakouts," Dr. Mariwalla said.
Virgin Russian hair comes from a single donor. It isn't chemically processed, it's soft, strong and the best hair in the world.
How Hair Extensions Are Made. Human hair extensions are exactly what they sound like. They are made out of real, human hair from top to bottom, collected from a donor. Remy hair means all the cuticles (the outer layer of the hair) are intact, running in the same direction at the time of collection.
Horsehair is a popular wig material because it has a similar texture and appearance to human hair. Horsehair wigs date all the way back to the 18th century, however many wigs continue to be made of horsehair nowadays.
Hair extensions are a great way to add extra volume to your hair or enhance your natural length, but they are often surrounded by one question – do hair extensions cause hair loss? The short answer is no – by themselves, hair extensions do not cause hair loss.
You should only ever wash your hair and extensions with lukewarm water. Once your extensions are wet, use 2 – 3 pumps of a sulfate-free shampoo to wash your hair. Be careful that you don't wash the hair too vigorously, especially near the bonds or clip.
Whether your preferred method is Hand-tied, Tape-in, Clip-in, or Micro-Link your hair extensions can actually help your hair grow if done correctly and by a trained professional. Hair Extensions can also act as a protectant from damage and give you the ability to style your hair in different ways.
All Remy hair extensions are human hair, but not all human hair extenions are Remy. This isn't turning into a SAT question, I swear. The term Remy means that the hair comes unprocessed and with a cuticle layer that is still in-tact. Meaning that it's very healthy, soft, shiny, and ultimately very high in quality!
Hair extensions that are referred to as “permanent” are those that can continuously work for several months, meaning that you don't have to put them on and take them off regularly. If you have a full head of fusion extensions, tape-ins, flat tip hair extensions, or hand-tied wefts, you have permanent hair extensions.
The hair weave was invented in 1951 by an African American woman named Christina Jenkins. She received a patent for the hair weaving technique she created and eventually formed a company with her husband, Duke.
Why do weaves smell bad? A weave that's braided, twisted or worn in locks will take longer to dry than a weave that's worn loose. This lengthy drying time leaves your weave susceptible to mold and bacteria—and that musty smell.
Comb your hair extensions with your fingers, if the hair feels silky smooth to touch and separates with ease and little to no shedding, this means the hair is high quality. However, if your fingers get stuck in tangles and find your hands covered in lost strands, this shows the hair is made of or with low quality hair.
“Over processed hair usually occurs when there is an abuse or incorrect use of bleach, hair relaxers, perming and heat styling tools,” says Greco. How do you know if your hair has had enough? “Your hair will look very frizzy and may have white tips on the ends of the hair shaft,” says Greco.
Can you reverse over-processed hair? Once your hair has been damaged by heat, dye, or a relaxer, you really can't undo the damage. However, you can make your hair look and feel better by adding deep-conditioning masks, leave-in conditioners, and hair restoration products.