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Investing in high-quality virgin hair extensions can give you beautiful, natural-looking length and volume. But to keep your virgin hair looking its best, proper maintenance and care is essential.

In this complete guide, you’ll discover expert tips to help you take care of virgin hair extensions and wigs. Follow these simple routines and product recommendations, and your luscious virgin hair will stay soft, shiny, and undamaged for months (or even years) to come.

What Is Virgin Hair?

Virgin hair refers to human hair that’s entirely unprocessed and in its natural state. It has never been chemically treated or heat styled.

True virgin hair comes directly from a single donor. It’s harvested from the scalp and cuticle direction remains intact. This keeps the integrity of the hair strong.

Here are some key characteristics of virgin hair extensions and wigs:

• 100% human hair, no synthetic fibers
• Cuticle layer faces the same direction
• Hair hasn’t been chemically processed
• Never been colored or permed
• Natural shine and texture
• Durable and long-lasting

Why Virgin Hair Is Better For Extensions

Virgin hair is the highest quality type of human hair extension or wig that you can buy. Here’s why it’s superior compared to alternatives like remy or synthetic hair:

It Looks More Realistic

The natural shine, feel and movement of virgin hair mimics your own hair more closely. The cuticle direction remains aligned, allowing light to reflect off the hair evenly. This creates a more realistic look than processed human hair or synthetic fibers.

Easier Styling and Management

Virgin hair holds curls better and keeps volume longer. The integrity of the hair hasn’t been compromised from chemical treatments. You can style virgin hair wigs or extensions just like your own hair using heat tools.

Longer Lasting

Virgin hair is extremely durable and long-lasting. With proper maintenance, high-quality virgin hair extensions can last 6 months to a year. For wigs, virgin hair allows you to achieve 3+ years of everyday wear and tear.

Absorbs Products Better

The protective outer layer of virgin hair (the cuticle) remains intact and undamaged. This allows moisture, oils and hair products to deeply penetrate the hair. Your virgin hair extensions will respond better to conditioning treatments and feel softer for longer.

Tips For Washing And Conditioning Virgin Hair

Washing and conditioning is one of the most important maintenance steps for keeping your virgin hair extensions looking beautiful. Follow these tips:

Use Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Sulfates are harsh cleansers that strip moisture from hair. Aim to wash virgin hair 1-2 times per week using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo.

Great options include Moroccanoil Sulfate-Free Shampoo, OUAI Detox Shampoo or DevaCurl Low-Poo Delight.

Condition Thoroughly After Every Wash

Apply a nourishing conditioner like Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner all throughout your virgin hair. Let it soak in for a minimum of 5 minutes before rinsing out.

Deep condition once a week by letting a hair mask sit for 20-30 minutes. K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Mask is fantastic for repairing damage and locking in moisture.

Rinse With Cool Water

Rinsing with cool instead of hot water will help seal the cuticle and lock in your conditioner. This keeps hair smoother for longer.

Limit Washing

For the best results, limit washing virgin hair to 1-2 times per week max. Excessive washing can dry out the extensions.

Air Dry When Possible

Allow your virgin hair to air dry instead of blow drying whenever you can. This will help minimize damage and frizz.

If you must use a hair dryer, make sure to use a heat protectant spray first!

Maintaining Softness In Between Washes

Here are some simple ways to keep your virgin hair feeling soft, moisturized and tangle-free in between washes:

Apply Leave-In Conditioner

Spritz in a lightweight leave-in conditioner like It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product when hair is damp. This nourishes hair and makes combing smoother.

Do Occasional Co-Washes

Co-washing is washing your hair with only conditioner and no shampoo. Once a week, swap your regular shampoo for a co-wash to deeply hydrate your strands.

Sheamoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner works great.

Seal In Moisture With Oil

Put a few drops of argan, olive or coconut oil on the ends of your extensions every other day. This helps seal in moisture and prevents dryness.

Sleep With a Satin Bonnet Or Pillowcase

Cotton pillowcases can cause friction that dries out hair overnight. Protect your virgin hair by sleeping on a satin pillowcase or wearing a bonnet.

Avoid Too Much Heat Styling

Overusing hot tools leads to fried, damaged hair. Allow your virgin hair to air dry when possible and use the lowest heat setting on any styling tools.

Trim Split Ends

Get a small trim (1/4 inch max) every 8-12 weeks to prevent split ends from travelling up the hair. This keeps your extensions looking healthy.

Recommended Products For Virgin Hair Care

Using the right products is extremely important for keeping your virgin hair extensions in optimal condition. Here are some of the best oils, treatments and styling products to use:

Oils For Healthy Hair

• Argan Oil – Nourishing and protects from heat damage
• Jojoba Oil – Mimics natural oils, great for all hair types
• Olive Oil – Conditions, adds shine and smoothness
• Coconut Oil – Reduces protein loss and repairs damage
• Grapeseed Oil – Lightweight oil that locks in moisture

Deep Conditioning Treatments

• Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask – Repairs broken bonds
• Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask – Rosehip, evening primrose and coconut oils
• Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treatment – Fortifies weakened hair

Heat Protectant Sprays And Serums

• Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray – Prevents breakage up to 450°F
• Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray – Protects against heat up to 428°F
• Ouai Heat Protection Hair Serum – Smoothes and guards against damage
• It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product – Silk proteins plus heat protection

Styling Creams For Definition And Hold

• Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel – Defines curls, fights frizz
• DevaCurl Styling Cream – Touchable hold and shine
• Design Essentials Natural Curl Enhancing Mousse – Lightweight control
• Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner – Detangles, smooths and softens

Protecting Virgin Hair From Damage

Prevention is the best way to keep your virgin hair extensions looking beautiful. Here are some tips to avoid damage:

Minimize Direct Heat Styling

Limit using hot tools like curling irons, straighteners and blow dryers to 1-2 times per week max. The less direct heat you use, the better.

Always Use A Heat Protectant

Spritz a heat protectant spray or serum throughout your hair before using any hot styling tool. This will keep your virgin hair strong against the high temperatures.

Handle Gently And Avoid Friction

Be extremely gentle when brushing, combing or braiding your extensions. Never rub your hair with a towel to dry. Friction leads to breakage.

Wear Hair In Protective Styles

Keep your virgin hair tucked away in protective styles like buns, braids or updos when possible. This prevents damage from the elements.

Sleep With a Satin Bonnet Or Pillowcase

Cotton absorbs moisture from hair. Satin or silk allows strands to slide smoothly without drying out.

Get Regular Trims

Schedule trims every 8-12 weeks to nip split ends in the bud before they travel up the hair. Removing just 1/4 inch max will keep hair healthy.

Deep Condition Weekly

Using a weekly deep conditioning hair mask nourishes hair and prevents dryness that leads to breakage.

Avoid Chlorine

Chlorine from pools can be damaging for hair. Either avoid swimming altogether or be sure to coat hair in conditioner prior as a protective barrier.

Caring For Different Textures Of Virgin Hair

Certain types and textures of virgin hair have unique care requirements:

Curly Or Kinky Hair

• Use cleansing conditioners instead of shampoo
• Apply heavier moisturizers like leave-in conditioner and curl cream
• Sleep with hair in two loose braids or twists to prevent tangles
• Detangle gently from ends up with lots of conditioner

Straight Hair

• Use a smoothing serum or oil if hair is prone to frizz
• Protect with a heat protectant before using hot tools
• Add volume at the roots with mousse or dry shampoo

Wavy Hair

• Enhance waves by scrunching in a sea salt spray
• Lock in moisture with an anti-humectant like grapeseed oil
• Add texture by twisting strands and air drying

Thin Or Fine Hair

• Avoid heavy conditioners that will weigh hair down
• Add lift with volumizing mousse at the roots
• Tease the crown gently for extra volume
• Set in velcro rollers instead of hot tools for bounce

Caring For Virgin Hair Wigs

Virgin hair wigs require a bit of specialized care:

Wash Less Frequently

Only shampoo a virgin hair wig every 2-3 weeks. Too much washing causes dryness. Use dry shampoo between washes.

Allow To Fully Air Dry

Lay your wig on a styrofoam wig head or folded towel and allow to fully air dry before styling or wearing again.

Handle By The Base

Always hold the wig by the weft or lace base. Never pick up a wig by the hair to avoid damage.

Store On A Mannequin Head

Keep your virgin hair wig on a wig stand or mannequin head when not in use. This maintains the style and prevents tangles.

Avoid Too Much Heat

Wigs require less heat styling than extensions. Allow to air dry first, then use the lowest heat setting if touch-ups are needed.

Common Virgin Hair Problems And Solutions

Even with great care, issues can pop up. Here are some common virgin hair problems plus how to fix them:

Knotting And Tangling

• Work a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner through knots using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Never force.
• Make sure to seal the cuticle after washing with cool water or oil.
• Sleep with hair in a loose braid or bun.

Dry, Brittle Hair

• Use a deep conditioning hair mask 1-2 times per week.
• Avoid over-shampooing and limit heat styling.
• Seal in moisture with argan, olive or coconut oil.

Frizzy Hair

• Apply an anti-humectant serum like Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade.
• Finish with a few drops of argan oil to smooth the cuticle.
• Ensure hair is completely dry before styling.

Shedding

• Shedding is normal. Detangle gently with conditioner using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
• Make sure hair is moisturized. Dry, brittle hair is prone to excess shedding.
• Get a maintenance trim every 8-12 weeks to remove any split ends.

Loss Of Shine

• Clarify hair by washing with a chelating shampoo like Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo.
• Use a hydrating hair mask or oil treatment.
• Finish with a shine-boosting serum like CHI Silk Infusion.

Maintain That Fresh Virgin Hair Look

Caring for your virgin hair extensions or wigs requires a commitment. But it’s well worth the time and effort!

With a consistent routine of proper washing, conditioning, hydrating, protectants and damage avoidance, your luscious virgin hair will retain its natural softness and shine for the long haul.

These simple tips will help you maintain that beautiful, fresh-from-the-salon look for months (or even years) of wear. Take good care of your investment and your virgin hair will remain flowing, healthy and gorgeous.