Virgin hair and natural hair are often confused, but they differ significantly in how they are sourced and processed. Here's a breakdown of their key differences:
Defining Virgin Hair
- Processed for Texture: According to the provided reference, virgin hair, while often marketed as being unprocessed, is actually processed to achieve a specific texture. This processing aims to mimic popular hairstyles or textures.
- Sourced From Multiple Donors: Virgin hair is typically collected from various donors, meaning each bundle you purchase may not come from a single person.
- Consistent Appearance: Virgin hair on the market is known for its generally silky texture and medium to high luster. This consistency is a result of the processing.
Defining Natural Hair
- Naturally Derived Texture: In contrast, the reference explains that raw hair texture is naturally derived. This means natural or raw hair maintains the texture it grew with, without alterations, and is often sourced from a single donor, if sourced from a donor at all.
- Diverse Range: Natural hair comes in a wide variety of textures, from fine and straight to thick and kinky.
- Unprocessed: The main characteristic of natural hair is that it remains in its original state, free from chemical treatments or manipulations aimed at changing its inherent texture.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Virgin Hair | Natural Hair |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Processed to mimic certain hairstyles; usually silky with a medium to high luster. | Naturally derived; a diverse range of textures from straight to kinky. |
| Source | Typically sourced from multiple donors. | Can be sourced from a single donor, but most importantly, it can be your own hair! |
| Processing | Processed to achieve a desired texture. | Unprocessed and maintains its original texture. |
| Appearance | Usually has a consistent look and feel due to processing. | Varies depending on the individual’s natural hair type and is not processed to alter texture or look. |
Summary
In essence, while both terms refer to hair, they represent distinctly different approaches. Virgin hair has undergone processing to achieve a desired look, often sourced from different people, while natural hair retains its original, unprocessed texture.
