The Hidden Costs of Beauty: Unethical Sourcing Practices of Human Hair Extensions

Exposing Unethical Beauty

Human hair extensions have become a global beauty staple, exuding elegance and versatility. But behind the glamour lies a sobering truth about how many of these luxurious locks are sourced. While the human hair extension industry expects to rake in approximately $3.9 billion in revenue by 2024, some origins of human hair remain shrouded in secrecy, exposing unethical practices that disproportionately harm vulnerable communities. Let’s untangle this complicated—and often disturbing—issue.

Where Does the Hair Come From?

India, China, and Southeast Asia are some of the primary regions providing human hair for the global extension industry. Although brands claim their hair is “100% natural Re

my hair,” “virgin” and “cuticle intact;” these claims hold no value and are nothing more than empty promises.

Surprisingly, much of the hair is sourced from various questionable methods: gathering fallen strands from old brushes and salon floors, using animal hair, coercing wom

en and children, exploiting women in prisons, and even from morgues.

In rural parts of Cambodia and Vietnam, often exploitative practices are used. Desperate families and individuals are targeted by buyers offering meager amounts of money for their hair. Many are unaware of the true market value, which can be a stark contrast to the life-transforming prices consumers pay for extensions. A report from The Associated Press revealed that women in these regions are pressured to sell their hair for as little as $10, while the final product can retail for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

“These women are being deceived. They’re robbed of something that often has emotional or cultural significance, for a fraction of its worth,” explains Dr. Sarah Daniels, an expert in social ethics at Georgetown University.

Then there’s the iss

ue of consent. According to Human Rights Watch, some factory buyers use coercive tactics, preying on women and children in poverty under false pretenses. They may promise recurring income or coercively frame the act as charity, blurring lines of ethical sourcing and exploitative practices.

Illusion of Transparency

While consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of ethical beauty, many brands lip service around transparency without truly addressing systemic failings. Labels like “ethically sourced” or “100% natural Remy” are often used more as buzzwords than guarantees. Some middlemen inflate the legitimacy of their sourcing chains by falsely claiming hair comes exclusively from ethical practices like donations.

One investigation by Refinery29 uncovered misleading practices by hair suppliers advertised as “ethical.” When probed, these companies often cannot trace their hair back to the point of origin. Not Knowing the full supply chain leaves glaring questions about whether the hair was taken under fair conditions. Unfortunately, this opacity keeps exploitation hidden from consumers, allowing unethical practices to persist.

Ensuring Industry Accountability

If this tangled web of deception makes you wonder where to go from here, the good news is that a few brands are championing change through transparent hair sourcing practices.

Ethical brands like Prolonged Hair are taking steps to set the human hair extension industry standards, offering full traceability and working directly with donors instead of exploitative intermediaries, while authenticating their claims and practices through reputable third parties.

Want to play your part? Here’s what you can do:

1. Ask Questions: When buying human hair extensions, inquire about their sourcing process. Opt for brands that offer clear and transparent hair extension supply chain. It’
   s essential that they provide proof of ethical sourcing ethics; otherwise, their assurances may be deceptive.
2. Support Certified Brands: It is essential to only purchase from brands with credible certification of their hair origins and hair sourcing ethics. Ensure independent third-party labs validate these claims.

At Prolonged Hair, we live by ethical beauty standards. Every bundle of hair is ethicallysourced and traceable and is authenticated by Dubai’s Chamber of Commerce. We also conduct third-party research to verify our hair, both our hair quality and claims.

Ethical Beauty

The hair extension industry has a long way to go before beauty truly meets integrity. Awareness about hair sourcing ethics is the first step toward reform. By pushing for greater transparency, supporting ethical beauty brands, and staying informed, we can intertwine ethics with equity.

At Prolonged Hair, we are proud to offer hair that had nothing to hide. Our products are designed to make you feel beautiful, while leaving behind a beautiful legacy!