how is human hair made

Bashir Ullah

Imagine wearing a wig so natural that even you forget it isn’t your hair. Unlike synthetic fibers, real hair offers a texture and luminosity that simply can’t be matched. The color of natural hair is never uniform; instead, it’s a rich blend of shades that gives each wig a unique look. 

This movement in the hair, especially how it waves and falls across the face and shoulders, is influenced by the length, thickness, and overall health of the hair. 

Porous hair may seem lifeless and opaque, especially if it’s been chemically treated. Such hair can look dry or even glassy.

People choose human hair wigs for various reasons: whether it’s for medical needs, fashion, or simply to change their hairstyles more often. The market for these wigs is enormous, and understanding the insight into terms like the finest Remy hair or virgin hair from Brazil helps in choosing the best wig.

Structure and composition of the hair

The anatomy of the scalp

Hair grows from a follicle located at the junction of the deep dermis and hypodermis, known as the bulb. A blood supply through a vessel nourishes the hair shaft with vital elements like amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. Glands like the sebaceous gland produce sebum, a natural lubricant. Sweat is released through pores on the surface of the scalp by sweat glands.

Structure of the hair

Pith

Hair is primarily made of 95% keratin, a fibrous and helical protein formed in a helix shape. This composition connects skin and Panera-like nails. The pith or medulla is the central part of the shaft, containing an amorphous, soft, and greasy substance.

Cuticle

The cuticle is a thin, protective outer layer with highly keratinized, scale-like cells that overlap. These cells are about 60 micrometers long and 6 micrometers wide, ensuring waterproofing and protection for the hair.

Cortex

The cortex is the main component of the hair, providing elasticity, flexibility, and resistance. It contains microfibrils, microfibrils, and protofibrils, all bound by intercellular cement rich in lipids and proteins. The cortex also contributes to the hair’s rigidity and strength, with 18 amino acids like proline, threonine, and cysteine playing key roles.

The role of melanocytes and keratinocytes

The hair cortex contains melanin, a pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. These cells near the hair bulb inject pigments into keratinocytes, giving hair color that lasts through the hair cycle until the hair falls out.

Hair Structure And Characteristics

Before starting wig production, it’s essential to understand the structure and features of natural hair. This knowledge ensures the wig maintains the authentic look and feel of real hair.

The Cuticle

The cuticle is vital for the health of hair. Flat cells overlap like roofing tiles, pointing toward the tip of the hair. 

This feature gives hair its shininess and allows it to slide smoothly. Chemical treatments, bleaching, dyeing, and heat can leave the cuticle damaged, dehydrated, and lacking elasticity.

The Importance of the Cuticle

The health and beauty of hair depend on an intact cuticle. For wig production, especially for longer hair wig styles like 30-35cm, using natural, healthy, virgin hair from Indian or oriental origin is essential. 

Dark hair often undergoes depigmentation and is then colored to meet the requirements of the wig producer. Following these guidelines ensures the hair remains 100% healthy, avoiding the risk of ruining it.

The Role Of Cuticles In Long Haired Wigs

During a hair consultation, you’ll learn that Remy Hair with intact cuticles is crucial for longer hair wigs. It maintains softness and body, preventing tangles and knotting from everyday stresses like blow drying or tangling with clothing. 

When a strand of hair is tied to the wig, the section of hair beyond the knot may run in the opposite direction, known in technical jargon as the return from the knot. This causes opposite-facing cuticles to rub the wrong way. 

The remedy is to remove this section, ensuring a single-direction cuticle for natural hair fullness, strength, and shine.

Sourcing Of The Hair

For high-end wig production, we need high-quality raw materials. Strong, healthy hair that is never chemically treated is essential. Remy Hair with intact cuticles running in the same direction from root to tip is preferred.

 During the collection phase, hair is tied into braids or queues to maintain alignment before being cut. Achieving the most attractive hair color requires using this precise method. Due to strong demand and high sourcing costs, true Remy Hair is rare.

Depigmentation

Processing involves careful and delicate depigmentation to bleach the hair while keeping cuticles intact and respecting the hair structure.

The time required depends on the desired end color. For a light blonde wig of dark origin like brown or chestnut, a gradual depigmentation process may take several days. 

Additionally, some wonder, can you use beard oil on hair? Yes, it can help maintain hair softness during this process.

Hair Dyeing Process

After depigmentation, the wig is colored using delicate products. The hair is divided and dyed into a variety of colors like black, brown, red, blond, and intermediate shades. We also create shaded, darker regrowth, and status effects.

The Hair We Use In Shorter Haired Wigs

In wig styles with shorter hair, intact cuticles aren’t necessary since there’s less rubbing and excessive stress compared to a long-haired wig. 

According to what is hair theory, for short wigs, we use decuticolised hair to create quality products at a lower sales price. Only in the Emily style with European hair, the most prized quality on the market, do we use exclusively Remy Hair with whole, intact cuticles for an excellent product.

Our French Top

In our Natural Cap calotte, the return from the knot is secured within multiple layers of monofilament, allowing only the lower part of the hair to protrude. This ensures the wig has the hair turned in the same direction, preserving intact cuticles and showcasing fine craftsmanship.

Processing Real Hair Wigs

Creating high-quality wigs from real hair is a complex process. Precise quality standards must be observed in each phase of production, from sourcing the raw material to processing the hair and finally, packaging the product.

The Story Behind Real Human Hair Wigs

Real human hair wigs look natural because the hair is sourced from various countries. China is the biggest exporter and importer of human hair, harvesting large amounts from its population. Other sources include Brazil, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

5 Steps: How Your Natural Human Hair Wigs are Made

The process of creating a natural-looking human-hair wig involves several steps. Each wig is hand-tied and meticulously crafted to ensure it is fully fitted for a perfect look.

Preparing the Human Hair

Human hair is carefully prepared by ensuring individual strands face the right direction. 

They are combed into an organized pile, with root-down hairs and root-up hairs separated, then recombined into a single, organized bunch. Each bundle is washed, disinfected, and styled to achieve the desired wig style and natural look.

Developing the Wig Pattern

To create a well-fitted wig that is secure and natural looking, the foundation of the wig is formed into a mold, ensuring it fits comfortably with no irritation and is not loose.

Laying the Foundations

The edge and crown of the wig’s foundation are layered onto the mold with fine mesh silk netting to match the hair color. The wig is sewn firmly with silk ribbon, held together by cotton thread laced through anchor points.

Knotting the Hair

Knotting is the process of attaching individual hair strands to the foundation using various skills. A full wig requires 30,000 to 40,000 knots and about 40 hours of tying, which is why human hair wigs can be costly.

Styling the Wig to Complete the Look

The finished wig is pinned to a soft block for styling techniques. The hair is dampened, combed through, dried in an oven, and then styled by straightening, curling, or cutting to achieve the desired look.

Human Hair Wigs – The Finished Product

The finishing product is ready to be worn. There’s a vast array of great examples like the stunning Prestige Human Hair wig by Ellen Wille Pure Power, the unique Olivia Human Hair wig from Dimples Bronze Collection, and the luscious Kim Human Hair wig by Jon Renau, all made with the finest Remy human hair for striking movement and natural authenticity.

Choosing A Wig

Looks can be deceiving, so find out how a wig is made before you purchase. Choose a brand that can certify the quality of hair used and ensure careful handling and processing that respects the hair structure for a beautiful and healthy wig.

The Essential Elements Of Careful And Highly Professional Hair Processing

Using the highest quality virgin Remy Hair in a perfect state of health with intact and aligned cuticles is crucial. Delicate products that respect the capillary structure during every phase of processing like depigmentation and dyeing ensure the finest quality results.

Conclusion

Choosing a human hair wig involves understanding the intricate processes behind its creation. From sourcing Virgin Remy Hair to ensuring intact cuticles, every step matters. Quality wigs made with natural hair offer unparalleled authenticity and longevity. Knowing how human hair is processed and crafted into wigs helps in selecting the best products that will last, ensuring a beautiful, natural look.

FAQ’s

What is 100% human hair made of?

100% human hair can come from the human scalp, the floor of a hair salon, or even a corpse. Virgin hair is never chemically treated or dyed. Remy hair is human ponytail hair with the cuticle in one direction, but it can be dyed or treated hair.

Where does human hair come from?

The majority of the world’s Virgin Remy human hair is sourced from China and India. There are many examples of hair being collected from different countries and people around the world.

How is human hair formed?

Hair forms in the skin through rapid division and differentiation of stem cells into keratinocytes. These cells migrate, flatten, and die, becoming keratinized cells. The final hair product on the skin’s surface is entirely composed of keratin. Hair follicle growth is cyclical.

How is artificial human hair made?

Kanekalon is the most widely used synthetic hair extension due to its close resemblance to human hair. This material is made by heating Vinyl Chloride and Acrylonitrile, then forming strands to mimic individual hairs, which are woven into hair extensions or hair pieces.

Bashir ullah

Experienced writer and hair specialist with 5 years of crafting compelling content on hair care, styling, and beauty tips.

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