Welcome to Remy Hair 101As more and more people are introduced to the lace wig and remy hair extensions craze the more the terminology and understanding of what remy hair is has changed. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the question of the day. What is remy hair?First, the cuticle is the outer layer of the hair and is responsible for the protection of the hair. It is made up of several layers of cells that lay on top of each other like shingles, as shown under a microscope in the picture below. Cuticles are directional pointing out from the scalp toward the end. You cannot see them with the naked eye but you can feel them as you run your finger from the bottom of a long hair toward the scalp. It is this layer that is removed or not removed that determines the quality of the hair.Remy Hair also know as cuticle hair is hair that has been collected from a single donor/person. The hair is gathered into a pony tail, tied off and then cut. This method of hair collection keeps all of the hairs cuticles running in the same direction. All of the hairs cuticles running in the same direction is what makes this hair remy hair. The hair is then gently processed for color, waves and curls. This hair is matt free and can last for 12 months or more depending on personal maintenance and wear.Virgin Remy Hair is hair that is collected in the same manner as explained above thus making it remy, however this hair does not undergo any type of chemical processing for color, waves and curls. This hair has been left in it's natural state. Virgin remy hair depending on the origin, typically comes in only dark colors such as a natural 1B/2 as this is the natural hair color of the donor. This hair is matt free and can last up to 18 months or more depending on personal maintenance and wear. It's the creme of the crop, it doesn't get any better than this.Non-Remy Human Hair is the most abundant human hair on the market therefore the cheapest. It is also referred to as fallen hair. It is collected from multiple sources, collected in piles therefore the hairs cuticles are not kept running in the same direction. If left this way the hair would be totally unusable, it could not be used for extensions and hair pieces. The hair has to then be put through a process called an acid bath of which removes the cuticles/cuticle layer of the hair. Once this is done the hair is then dipped into a silicone coating to give it a smooth, shiny, and healthy feel and appearance. Once the silicon layer wears off this hair will eventually start to tangle or matt and will then be in need of "restoration services" to bring it back to life.Non-Remy hair does not last nearly as long as remy hair. After several washings the silicon wears away exposing the dry, dull medulla. Non-Remy hair looks fantastic for a while, this type of hair is recommended if your looking for a more natural, economic alternative to synthetic hair or even a starter full lace unit. Non-Remy hair can last for 3 to 6 months or more depending on personal maintenance and wear. Non-Remy is often passed off as remy, since without really knowing your hair, it is hard to tell. One way to tell is to run your finger from the bottom of a hair to the root. Cuticle hair will feel rough as you go against the cuticles, silicone dipped hair will be smooth in both directions. You may have to close your eyes and run your fingers past the hair several times to notice the difference.In Conclusion, each of the different quality levels of hair can all be great options for use in hairpieces of all kinds. This informational page was created so that you can make an informed decision based off of your personal needs and expectations.
