Irrespective of the fact that people usually donate hair for free, human hair is expensive because of the labor-intensive and expensive processes related to cleaning, sorting, and preparing the freely donated hairs before they are fit for use. After the donation of human hair, the hairstylist or team of hair specialists gathers the hair and sorts it according to its colors, texture, and sizes. Usability is decided, smoothening and blending occur, ventilation, styling, and drying. All of this takes a lot of time, resources, and labor, hence the reason why 100% human hair is expensive.

Are you struggling to buy a human hair but you find the prices outrageously expensive? As a hair vendor, I’ve taken it upon myself to explain to you the economics around the business of human hair and why the price is usually on the high side. By the end of this guide, you will learn why Human hair is expensive.

Why is Human Hair more expensive?

Some of the major reasons why Human hair is more expensive than the regular types of hair wigs that are available in the market include; complicated production processes, market demand and supply, hair scarcity, and the premium features that human hair offers; features that you can’t find in synthetic wigs.

Six Reasons Why Human Hair is More Expensive

Here are six reasons why Human Hair is more expensive.

1. The Stress of Production

One of the major reasons why Human Hair is more expensive is the stress of producing human hair wigs. To ensure that perfect human hair wigs are delivered to customers, hair factories go through rigorous processes that consume time and energy to ensure that the results of those wigs are perfect. 

For instance; at the point of donation, Human hair comes in strands and tiny bits, some of which are broken. Since no technology aids in merging the hairs, factories resort to traditional means and hand-crafting to connect the broken hairs and form long hairs. You can imagine the stress involved in sorting hair colors, sizes, and textures of different donated hair from different people, collected and treated to provide a 16-inch curly hair wig. 

2. Demand and Supply Chain

One is the reasons why Human hair is expensive is the economics around the demand and supply of human hair. From a far view, a lot of buyers believe that hair is donated for free, but the truth is, that the amount of hair donated and the percentage of usable ones are not usually enough to produce hair wigs that meet market demand.

Because available human hair for production is scarce, hair companies end up having to contract local vendors that will sell hair to them. To complement the scarcity of good human hair, the cost of production will increase and this will impact the prices of human hair wigs in the market.

3. Hair Donation is Low

The number of hair donors in the world is relatively low. Sometimes, the quest for hair donation drops so low that, according to Hair we Share, a non-profit custom wig design organization, Hair donation was between 75 to 100 ponytails every day in 2021. Out of this small number, some of the donated hair strands are not good for use; some are tangled.

In the end, the donation is always too small to match the high demand for custom-made human hair wigs in the market. This leaves most hair factories with no other option than buying human hair from vendors. The cost of purchasing these hairs from vendors impacts the cost of purchase and resale.

4. Durability and Quality

Human Hair wigs are usually made of 100% virgin hair. The hair origin might differ; European, Philipino, Brazillian, etc. The origin of these hairs plays a great role in determining the quality of the hair, but the truth is, that they are always designed without any synthetic material. 

The beauty of human hair wigs is that you can restyle them, and they are available in different textures; curly, wave hair, etc. Overall quality is superior and you have the assurance that they will last very long; at least up to 10 years if maintained properly.

Some human hair wigs like some of the luxury wigs we have in our platinum collection come with a lifetime guarantee. The prices of human hair might be on the high side, but you are guaranteed to get great value for your money. The higher the quality of a human hair wig, the higher the price.

5. Comfortability, Lightweight, and Breathability

One of the major reasons why Human hair wigs are expensive is the comfort that it offers. Compared to synthetic wigs, Human hair is lightweight and offers an amazing sense of beauty and comfort for users. They are lightweight and breathable, which means they do not cause any discomfort or irritation to the scalp.

These human hair wigs allow air circulation and moisture evaporation, which keep the scalp cool and dry. Human hair wigs are made from high-quality materials that are soft and smooth to the touch and do not tangle or shed easily. 

They also have adjustable straps and combs that ensure a secure and comfortable fit. Human hair wigs are more comfortable than synthetic wigs, which can be heavy, hot, and itchy. However, comfort comes at a price, as human hair wigs require more care and maintenance than synthetic wigs.

6. Natural Look and Versatility

Human hair is highly valued for its natural look and versatility. Unlike synthetic hair, human hair wigs are made from real human hair fibers that move and feel like natural hair. They have a shine that is not over the top or glossy, doesn’t look too flashy, and you are getting hair that will fit into your face most elegantly.

Human hair wigs are also heat-stylable, which means they can be styled in different ways to suit individual preferences  The natural appearance and texture of human hair wigs are unparalleled. They provide a realistic look full of shine and body, making them a popular choice among people who want to achieve a natural look without compromising on quality.

What are the advantages of buying Human Hair?

Here are some advantages of buying Human Hair:

1. Natural look and feel

One of the benefits of buying human hair is that it will be hard for people to figure out that they are hair extensions.100% Human Hair wigs are designed to look like and feel like natural hair. The use of natural human hair fibers in these wigs will have you enjoying the appearance and glamour you will with your normal hair without compromising quality.

2. Durability

Human hair wigs are more durable than synthetic hair wigs. With proper care, they can last more than 3 years.

3. Versatility

Human hair wigs are versatile and can be styled differently. You can cut them, color them, or heat-style them just like natural hair. However, we advise customers against constant heat styling as this can affect the state of your hair wigs

4. Comfortability, Lightweight, and Breathability

Human hair wigs are designed to provide maximum comfort and convenience to the wearer. They are lightweight and breathable, which means they do not cause any discomfort or irritation to the scalp. They also allow air circulation and moisture evaporation, which keep the scalp cool and dry.

If Human Hair is so expensive, is it really worth buying one?

Yes. Human hair is so expensive, but buying one is a worthy investment. The prices of human hair wigs might be over the top but the advantages compensate the price. With Human hair wigs, you are sure of hair wigs that will last long. With the natural feel and realistic look, comfortability, and breathability, you have numerous reasons to buy human hair. 

Which Human Hair is the cheapest?

Bob Human Hair is the cheapest hair available in the market. Bob Hair wigs are short human wigs that are usually 6, 10, or 12 inches long. The Bob Human hair wigs are durable like any other human wig option, but their short size makes them a more convenient option for ladies that for ladies that want wigs that are easy to wear.

Do you need more help finding more Human Hair Wigs for cheap? We have curated a list of some of the Cheapest Human hair wigs in the market. 

FAQs

How can you tell if a wig is human or synthetic?

There are two major ways to tell if a wig is human or synthetic. These two major ways are the fire and flame test, and the feel and look test.

To tell if a wig is human or synthetic, you can pull a few strands, pass it through fire, and watch the reaction. If the hair burns upwards and emits the smell of burnt hair, then it is human, But, if the hair melts or burns like plastic, it is synthetic. Also check if the hair tangles easily, human hair doesn’t easily tangle and is also easy to comb.

Which country has the most expensive human hair?

Most likely, India is the country with the most expensive human hair. India is the highest human hair exporter for 2022, accounting for 88.4% of total human hair exports and a net sale of US$138.8 million. With a sales volume that much, there is no way the most expensive hair in the market won’t come from the country.

Which hair is the most expensive?

Virgin hair is the most expensive hair in the market. Virgin hair wigs are always 100% human hair, and in most cases, they are obtained from one person. The exclusivity involved in processing virgin hair makes them highly valuable.

CONCLUSION

Human hair is expensive because of the complex and time-consuming process involved in its preparation. The process of collecting, sorting, washing, and drying human hair is labor-intensive and requires skilled workers. Additionally, human hair is a natural material that takes time to grow, so it is in much lower supply than synthetic hair. We understand that the high cost of human hair wigs can pose a barrier for some people who cannot afford them. We will advise that you look out for more budget-friendly human wig options.