Have you ever wondered how different hair products, such as extensions and wigs, are made? It all begins with bulk hair, which is also commonly referred to as braids or ponytails before processing. The journey of bulk human hair starts with the tonsure process, where hair is collected, carefully cut from the root end, and neatly wrapped into bundles.
These beautiful bundles are what the industry refers to as bulk hair, and they serve as the foundation for various types of hair extensions. If you’re new to this topic, explore our in-depth Bulk Human Hair Guide to learn more about textures, grades, and application methods.
One fascinating aspect of the hair industry is the availability of extraordinarily long extensions, some reaching lengths of 26 inches or even 34 inches. Considering that human hair grows at an average rate of 1.27 inches per month, achieving a length of 34 inches naturally would take over two and a half years! This raises an important question: Who donates and who uses such long hair? We explore this further in our post on creating incredible braids using bulk hair, including styling ideas and tips for working with raw hair.
The Source of Long, Beautiful Hair
In India, many young school-going girls voluntarily donate their hair at temples, especially during the summer months. Hair care is deeply rooted in Indian culture, with girls traditionally oiling and braiding their hair daily, ensuring it remains strong, healthy, and long. Many of my school friends had gorgeous, thick braids, often wrapped twice due to their impressive length. However, India's scorching summers and the common issue of lice infestations make managing long hair difficult for children. As a result, many families choose to shave their children's heads at temples as a symbolic offering, a tradition that is entirely voluntary.
At Perfect Locks, we take pride in ethically sourcing long-length hair, ensuring that it is collected with integrity and respect for the donors. We believe that good energy flows from sister to sister, and that every strand of hair carries positive intentions, making the extensions we offer truly special.
Processing Bulk Hair into Extensions
Once collected, the bulk hair undergoes meticulous processing to ensure quality and consistency. The hair bundles are first hackled-a process that involves using large iron combs to remove shorter strands and create uniform bundles. Next, the hair is carefully washed, sanitized, and colored before being transformed into a variety of hair products, including:
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Machine wefts
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Hand-tied wefts
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Fusion hair extensions
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Other specialized hairpieces
At Perfect Locks, we are passionate about educating our customers about the origins and processing of hair extensions. We will continue to share more insights into the world of hair every week! If you have any questions about bulk hair, ethical sourcing, or the extension-making process, feel free to reach out-we'd love to share our knowledge with you.
Shopping for Bulk Hair? You've At the Right Place!
Discover our full range of ethically sourced, salon-grade bulk hair extensions here. Whether you're a stylist or simply love braiding, we have the quality you can trust.