The Truth About Where Hair Extensions Come From

Posted on October 2nd, 2022

Hey hey! Long time no write :-)...time for another blog post!

When you think about where hair extensions come from, you might picture a long-haired beauty with Rapunzel-like tresses eating a balanced diet and taking supplements to ensure her locks remain healthy and lustrous. In reality, the hair extension industry is not quite as romantic.

Hair extensions are a big business. In the United States alone, the hair extension industry is worth over $1 billion. And while there are a number of different types of hair extensions available on the market, the vast majority of them are made from human hair.

But where does this human hair come from? In this article, we’ll take a look at the truth about where hair extensions come from, how they end up on your head and the business behind this most desired commodity.

Where are Hair Extensions made?

First things first, there are two categories of hair extensions within the market that people can get their hands on. They are human hair extensions and synthetic hair extensions. As the name suggests Human Hair Extensions are made, as you guessed it, from human hair coveted from actual human donors. On the other hand, Synthetic hair extensions are made from synthetic fibers that were designed/made to mimic human hair.

Human Hair Extensions and Synthetic Hair Extensions

Now there are actually 3 main countries that supply the hair extensions market. They include China, India and Russia. I know you probably wouldn’t have guessed Russia but the hair is extremely sought after and pricey so China and India actually dominate the market due to the hair being inexpensive.

So, how are hair extensions made?

Now as I stated the above paragraph, hair extensions can be made from real hair or synthetic fibers. But you probably have wondered how they're actually made? If you're curious about the process, read on to learn more.

First, the hair is collected from various sources. This can be from donors who sell their hair, synthetic fibers or from animal fur. The hair is then cleaned and sorted into different grades. The highest quality hair is often used for luxury extensions, while lower quality hair or synthetic fibers are used for more affordable options.

Woman Donating Hair

Once the hair is graded, it is then dyed to match the client's desired color. The hair is then cut and shaped to create the desired style. Finally, the extensions are attached to the client's natural hair using various methods, such as glue, tape, or clips. So, there you have it - that's how hair extensions are made!

Hair Extensions Production

Nevertheless, you may be wondering where the heck should I go to get my hair extensions then! I would say, and I am not being biased, stick to a USA based hair company and here’s why.

I mean, why is it better to go to a USA company then?

If you’re looking for the best quality hair extensions, then you should definitely go to a company based in the USA. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the quality of hair extensions sourced by a USA based company is just simply better. The hair is thicker and more lustrous, and it’s less likely to tangle or shed.

Thick Hair Extensions

Secondly, hair extension companies in the USA are much more regulated than those in other countries. This means that they have to adhere to strict quality standards, and they can’t use unethical sourcing practices.

Finally, when you buy hair extensions from a USA based company, you can be sure that you’re supporting American jobs. So, if you want the best quality hair extensions, make sure to buy from a company based in the USA.

Girl! why is ethical sourcing so important?

Ethics, Honesty, Integrity and Values

When buying hair extensions, it’s important to make sure that they’ve been ethically sourced. Unfortunately, there are many hair extension companies out there that use unethical sourcing practices. For example, they may source their hair from women who have been exploited or coerced into selling their hair.
Or, they may source their hair from countries where working conditions are poor and workers are paid very low wages. This means that the women who are growing and harvesting the hair are not being treated fairly or being paid a Living Wage.
When you buy hair extensions, you should make sure that the company you’re buying from has a good ethical sourcing policy. This way, you can be sure that the hair has been sourced ethically and that the women who grew it were treated fairly.

Girl Posing

Once you pinpointed the company that practices ethical sourcing of their products, you can then check that the quality matches up to your standard. Naturally, companies that practice ethical sourcing of hair extensions are on the pricey side as they are providing products that were attained by paying the individuals that produce the hair fairly, so definitely be prepared to spend your coins.

Personally, I would rather be associated with a company that actually gives a damn about the men and women that produce these products, ensuring they are compensated fairly, so we can look our best selves! With that being said, we are that type of company where all our products have been ethically sourced, so we not only maintain the quality of our products but the integrity of the company as well. If interested to see what we have, click here to browse.

Let me know your thoughts about this in the comment section below! Until next time…..