How is the hair for human hair extenions and human hair wigs obtained?

ambivalentambiance: How is the hair for human hair extenions and human hair wigs obtained?
Lately I have seen a lot of advertisements for human hair extensions. Paris Hilton and Jessica Simposon have their own line. Other brands are available in national chain drug stores.

It just seems like extremely large amount of human hair.

Does anyone know if is mixed female and male hair? Is it from adults or children? Who are these companies buying this hair from? How much money do the people selling their get?

I would like any answers to any of these questions.

I am concerned that people in poverty are being exploited for them.

Answers and Views:

Answer by JOHN
relax…most hair is donated

Answer by dramatic girl
People cut there hair and have it proffesionally made into a wig or hair extension.

Answer by karlyn182
Most hair is bought off of people in India where it is tradition for the women to grow their hair very long and cut it off. It does NOT come from dead people, animals, or exploted people. Its totally sold by free will.

Answer by Terri R
They sneak up on unsuspecting Y/A users and scalp them…….

Answer by chicki
Can’t answer most of your questions except to say that kids that have cancer get wigs made from human hair. It is usually donated by someone who grows their hair long then cuts about 6 to 8 inches off at once.

The requirements are virgin hair (no bleaching or coloring and NO gray)

Answer by Jeanne B
You are right, poor people in 3rd world countries are exploited for this. They have the thickest, strongest hair. It takes at least seven years to grow enough hair to sell. The people who do this, usually do it for a life time, and do not get paid much for it. It is, however, enough for them to continue doing this. It’s possible there are males who do this, but men around the world usually wear their hair short, so I doubt it would be many of them.

Also, some wig makers sneak synthetic fibers into wigs, so not all the wigs that claim to have human hair, have 100% human hair. Just like toys are supposed to have no lead in the paint, wigs can be deceptively made, too. The cheaper the wig claiming to have human hair in it, the less likely it will have many human hairs in it.