When shopping for high quality virgin human hair extensions and wigs, you'll come across various grades and classifications of hair. But what exactly do these grades mean, and which one is the best choice?
Understanding the different rating systems and key attributes of hair grades will help you determine which is the optimal grade of virgin hair to invest in.
Breaking Down the Grading Scales
There are two main systems used to classify the quality of virgin human hair:
- Number scale - Rates hair on a numeric scale, typically from 1 to 10.
- Letter scale - Uses letters like A, B, C, etc. to rank hair quality.
Within both scales, the numbering works opposite to what you may expect. Counterintuitively, higher numbers or letters indicate lower quality in the rating systems.
For example, a grade of virgin hair rated 10A would be the highest premium hair quality, while a 3C grade would be a lower, more affordable option.
Key Factors in Hair Grade Classifications
What criteria determine where certain virgin hair is placed on these grading scales? Here are some of the main factors used in ranking:
- Origin and source - Temple hair vs brush cuttings
- Condition - Healthy and moisturized vs dry and damaged
- Appearance - Minimal split ends and even tone
- Thickness - Dense bundles without shedding
- Color - Pure black without grays or dye
- Processing - Unprocessed or minimally processed
The finest, most flawless virgin hair will receive the top grades, while hair with more imperfections or chemical treatments will be ranked lower.
The Best Grades of Virgin Hair
Now that we understand the rating systems, let's look at some of the specific grades considered the highest quality and most desirable:
10A and 9A
The 10A and 9A grades represent the creme de la creme of virgin hair. Expect the following attributes:
- 100% unprocessed cuticle-aligned virgin hair
- Ethically sourced from temple donors in India
- Thick, full, dense bundles with minimal shedding
- No lice, nits, grays or chemical residue
- Pure black color with natural sheen
- Silky texture with luxurious feel
This elite temple-sourced hair offers excellent longevity and versatility. It's the ultimate hair for those wanting only the best. Expect to pay a premium.
8A and 7A
The 8A and 7A designations still indicate outstanding virgin hair quality. Key traits include:
- 100% unprocessed virgin cuticle hair
- Ethically sourced as brush cuttings in India or China
- Minimal shedding and tangling
- Pure black without grays or dye
- Soft texture and healthy appearance
- Dense, full bundles from one donor
This hair offers many of the same benefits as the 10A grade but at a more affordable mid-range pricing level. An excellent choice for those on a budget.
AAA and AAAA
The top grades on the numeric rating scales are AAA and AAAA quality. Traits of this premium hair include:
- 100% unprocessed virgin hair with cuticles intact
- Ethically sourced brush cuttings from Asia
- No chemical processing or alterations
- Silky, soft texture with high sheen
- Pure black color with minimal grays
- Dense, thick wefts with minimal shedding
AAA and AAAA grades offer salon quality hair perfect for integration into natural styles. An unbeatable value for budget-conscious consumers.
How Hair Grades Impact Price
As you may expect, higher graded hair comes at a higher price. For example:
- 10A grade hair may retail for $400-$500 per bundle
- 8A grade hair may cost $100-$300 per bundle
- AAA grade hair often ranges from $50-$150 per bundle
There are significant savings moving down the grading scale. However, lower grades have more inconsistencies in quality to consider.
Is "Unprocessed" and "Virgin" the Same?
Sometimes terms like "unprocessed," "virgin" and "Remy" are used interchangeably by vendors, but they mean different things:
- Virgin - True unprocessed hair that has never been chemically altered
- Remy - Hair with cuticles kept intact and aligned
- Unprocessed - Can still have some limited processing
The highest grades like 10A guarantee completely unprocessed cuticle-aligned virgin hair. Lower grades may only ensure Remy hair or partially processed hair.
How Low Should You Go?
We don't recommend going below a grade of 6A/AAAAA when buying virgin hair bundles. Lower grades have too many potential issues:
- Excessive shedding and matting
- Visible split-ends and damage
- Discoloration and grays
- Irregular lengths and widths
- Unpleasant odor
- Synthetic or animal hair blending
These headaches make very cheap bundles not even worth the miniscule savings. Stick to 6A-10A or AAAA-AAAAA for best results.
When investing in virgin hair, opt for the highest grade your budget allows. While 10A hair is the ultimate luxury choice, hair rated from 6A-9A offers an ideal combination of affordable pricing and premium quality.
Understanding the meaning behind hair grading scales will make your buying decisions easier. Always demand unprocessed virgin hair bundles and read reviews to find vendors you can trust. With the right grade of hair, you'll love your new look and have peace of mind knowing your investment was worthwhile.
