What is Remy Hair?

Many people, mostly women, choose to change their appearance using wigs and/or hair extensions. The reasons for doing so vary. Some may have thinning hair due to cancer treatments or other physical reasons. Others have short hair and wish to change their style to a longer one without waiting for their own hair to grow out. Whatever the reason, most want the wigs or extensions to look as natural as possible. Remy hair is the best choice for achieving this natural look, but what is it?

Remy hair is the highest grade of real, natural human hair that can be purchased for use in wigs or hair extensions. Human hair produces the best, longest lasting wigs and extensions. It is considered to be the top of the line in human hair because the cuticles are kept intact. Maintaining the hairs' cuticles and aligning them in a unidirectional fashion for weaving to create a wig or extension creates a hair piece that is completely natural in appearance.

This type of hair is divided into six quality categories based on processing and length grading. There are three categories each of virgin and non virgin hair. Virgin Remy hair is considered the best for use in wigs and extensions. It has not been chemically treated in any fashion. No coloring, perms, or any other processing has taken place. This hair is 100% natural. Non virgin one has been through some chemical processing on its way to becoming a wig or extension. The most common processing involves changing the color of the hair.

The three distinctions in each of the above categories are based on hair length per weft. Single drawn Remy hair is made up of hairs of all different lengths as it grows naturally on the head. The cuticles are intact and these pieces look very natural. Double drawn hair is sorted so that all the hairs in a weft are within one or two inches in length. The final grade is double drawn and sorted so that all of the strands are of the exact same length. This is the most expensive grade of hair because of the care that is required and the time it takes to sort the hair so meticulously.

Remy hair comes from several different locations in the world. Indian hair is the most popular choice because it is of a texture and color that can be easily matched to people from all around the world and of different ethnic backgrounds. The next most popular choice is Brazil. The blend of European and Native American ancestors produces hair that is thick and suitable for people from different races. European hair is also very commonly used in wigs and hairpieces.

Regardless of where the hair comes from, the care that is taken when cutting it from the head of the donor and maintaining the cuticles intact is what makes the distinction between Remy hair and non Remy hair. It is generally believed that it is the highest quality hair a person can use for wigs and hair extensions, therefore, it is also the most expensive. It is considered by most to be well worth the price because it can be treated exactly the same as one's own hair.