Raw Hair vs Virgin Hair: The Truth Behind the Labels
Sep
In recent years, I’ve been frequently asked by customers: “Do you sell raw hair?” This question reflects how much attention the term “raw hair” has attracted in the market. However, the term is often misunderstood or misused, leading to confusion among buyers.
As someone who has been in the human hair industry since 2011, I decided to write this blog to explain the real meaning of raw hair and virgin hair, clear up common misconceptions, and help customers make informed decisions when choosing their hair products.
Table of Contents
1. Where the Concepts Came From
In the Chinese hair industry, we have long used the terms “生发” (raw hair) and “熟发” (processed hair).
- Raw hair (生发): Hair that has not undergone acid treatment, so the cuticles remain intact.
- Processed Hair (熟发, cooked hair) is hair that has undergone acid treatment or similar chemical processes that alter the hair’s cuticle structure. In the Chinese hair industry, this type of hair is often referred to as “cooked hair” because the acid treatment is likened to cooking, which changes the texture and structure of the hair.
It’s worth noting that the English term “processed hair” is more commonly used by Chinese sellers today to help explain the concept to international customers. Originally, Chinese factories did not use the term “processed hair” but simply referred to the hair as “cooked hair” in Chinese.
It’s important to note that even raw hair intended for sale must be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, often through processes such as steam sterilization (fumigation), to meet consumer health and safety standards. When properly controlled, the steam sterilization temperature does not significantly damage the hair quality—similar to how using a flat iron at moderate temperatures generally causes minimal harm to your own hair.
Strictly speaking, completely untreated raw hair—meaning hair that has never been washed, disinfected, or processed in any way—is not suitable for direct consumer use, as it may carry impurities, bacteria, or viruses that pose health risks.
2. How the Market Changed the Definition
Originally, high-quality raw hair was sold simply as virgin hair.
Later, some suppliers began using “raw hair” as a marketing tool to position their products as superior.
To achieve this, they quietly redefined virgin hair in the market as something of lower quality, even though the technical definition didn’t change.
This has led to the widespread belief that:
Raw hair is always better than virgin hair.
In reality, both can be excellent if sourced and processed correctly.
3. Reality Check: The Truth About Raw Hair Processing
It’s a common marketing claim that raw hair is completely unprocessed and free from any styling or treatment. However, this is not accurate in the real market.
- Most so-called raw hair available today has undergone some form of processing, such as steam styling, gentle heat setting, or minimal texturizing, to create a desirable texture and appearance.
- This processing is typically done to ensure consistency, manageability, and to meet consumer expectations for style and look.
- Completely untouched raw hair—meaning hair that has not been washed, sanitized, or styled at all—is extremely rare and not suitable for direct sale or wear because it may contain impurities or carry bacteria and viruses, posing health risks.
Therefore, the claim that raw hair is “100% natural and untouched” is often an exaggeration or outright falsehood used to justify premium pricing.
4. Industry vs. Market Definitions Today
| Term | Industry Definition (China) | Market Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Hair | No acid treatment; cuticles intact; washed, sanitized, and minimally prepared before sale | Marketed as the “purest” and “most natural” |
| Virgin Hair | No chemical processing such as coloring, perming, or acid bath; may include steam-styled textures | Sometimes seen as “less natural” due to marketing changes |
5. Common Myths and Realities
- Durability
You’ll often hear that raw hair lasts 3–5 years and virgin hair lasts only 1–2 years.
The truth: If virgin hair is truly unprocessed (apart from possible steam styling) and well cared for, it can last just as long as raw hair. Steam or controlled heat styling doesn’t seriously harm hair unless done poorly or at excessive temperatures. - Donor Hair History
There’s no guarantee that the donor of raw hair has never used a blow dryer or flat iron. The label only reflects post-collection processing. - Ease of Maintenance
Some claim raw hair is harder to manage, but it behaves just like natural hair growing on our own heads—neither more nor less difficult. - Mixed Sourcing
Some products labeled as virgin or raw hair may actually be a mix from multiple donors or origins. This doesn’t automatically make the hair bad, but it can affect uniformity and longevity if not processed carefully.
6. The Truth About Single Donor Hair
In the hair industry, products are commonly sold by weight—for example, 100 grams per bundle.
If raw hair products were truly sourced entirely from a single donor, it would be nearly impossible to achieve such standard weights and consistent lengths. This is because no donor’s hair donation naturally matches the exact standard weights or lengths needed for commercial products.
Here’s what actually happens:
- Hair from multiple donors with similar color, texture, and thickness is combined to reach standard weights and create uniform bundles.
- This blending process ensures consistent quality and appearance while maintaining the overall natural look and feel of the hair.
- It also makes it feasible to offer products at standardized weights and lengths that customers expect.
As a result, the marketing claim that every bundle or wig comes from a single donor is often misleading or simply untrue.
In many cases, it is a promotional tactic designed to enhance the perceived exclusivity and quality of the product.
7. Choosing Quality Over Labels
Instead of focusing solely on the marketing term, pay attention to:
- The health and strength of the strands
- Whether cuticles are intact and aligned (Remy)
- Transparent sourcing and handling practices
- The seller’s reputation and willingness to educate customers
Final Thought
The raw vs. virgin hair debate is often more about marketing than real, measurable quality differences. Both can be long-lasting, beautiful, and worth the investment if sourced ethically and processed with care.
From our perspective, there is essentially no difference between virgin hair and raw hair. Therefore, we rarely use “raw hair” to label our products. The virgin hair and raw hair you purchase from us are basically of the same high quality.
The best choice is the one that fits your needs, style preferences, and budget—without being swayed by buzzwords.
