Article Hair Structure

Hair Extensions can dramatically improve your appearance. However, before you take the plunge and go in for hair extensions it would help to understand the quality of hair extensions and what the typical structure of hair is like.

The hair structure
The hair when observed on a microscopic level is actually composed of various layers. The outer coating is known as ‘cuticle’ and comprises many long cells which overlap with one another. They align in a unidirectional manner and is the main component that keeps the moisture in the hair intact. It also guards against the weather and other elements. In fact, shiny hair is a sign of having a healthy cuticle.

How to determine an extension’s quality?
The best way to gauge the quality of a hair extension is by assessing the cuticle. Usually, prices can also be an indicator of the overall quality. The more the price of the extension the more will be the quality and vice versa. Also, if the layers of the cuticle are intact and facing the same direction it means it is a healthy cuticle and so the price of the hair extension will also be higher. Bad quality cuticles indicate interlocking cells which can cause matted and knotted hair.

Types of hair and their structure differences
The hair used in the extension industry can originate from various countries. Each ethnic race has a different hair structure. Here we discuss some of them:

European hair: This type is very thin and has a cross section surface that looks oval. Usually this kind of hair is preferred for all hair extension purposes.

Indian hair: This is a very high quality hair type and is highly preferred for extension manufacturing purposes. Different hair kinds are mixed and collected for this purpose. However, very rarely is the cuticle left intact (except in very expensive extensions). Usually the cuticle is removed and coated with silicon substances. The prices of these extensions are hence much lesser.

Asian hair: Most of the time Asian hair types come from Chinese people. It is thicker when compared to the European hair varieties and has a cross section resembling a round shape. Since the hair is originally very thick it is made lighter with an acid bath.

Remi or Remy hair: This is one of the most popular varieties of hair extensions and uses high grade hair with cuticle cells in a unidirectional growth, this hair is shaved from the scalp (Remy Hair is the hair we supply).

Synthetic hair: This is a man made variety of hair which looks and feels like natural hair. Since it is made with artificial materials and the outer cuticle cells are unlike natural hair merging such hair extensions with your natural hair is very tough. Usually, the aftercare is also different for such types of extensions and the prices are also cheaper.

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