“The Truth About Where Hair Extensions Come From” -- Refinery29, 2018, 11:55 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlZ1SWLBfPE

The buying and selling of human hair is a historical practice in many cultures, now connected in our globalized economy. Demand for cheap, high quality hair in the developed world is leading to exploitative buying practices in the developing world. Too often, women who sell their hair are not paid a fair price, and rarely is any consideration given to the damage done to one’s femininity and sense of self. On the other hand, when a fair price is paid, selling one’s hair can be an empowering expression of agency. In this video, we learn about a company that pays women around $100 for donated hair in Vietnam, and how this money enables women to provide for their families. This video is also a good example of fashion trends, conspicuous consumption, and social class exploitation.

From the video’s description: This week on Shady, our host, Lexy Lebsack, takes us into the underground world of human hair trafficking. Wigs and extensions are often made of real human hair, but have you ever questioned how that hair was sourced? Watch this episode of Shady to learn where hair really comes from!