The demand for human hair is immense from wigs to weaves and hair extensions. But few know the origins of these genius locks and the path they take all over the world.

Check for wich or hair extensions online and a dizzying array of options will be given to you. Brazil or Peru's virgin "Luxury" hair. Mughal hair "pure." Hair from India "Finest remy" Sleek weaves of Europe. But you can very seldom see the hair marketed from China, even though much of it came from here.

In the three years' research to unblock what happens to hair as soon as it is no longer attached to our heads Emma Tarlo has discovered that China is the largest exporter and importer of human hair and reaps huge quantities from our own populations.

The professor of anthropology and writer of Entanglement: the hidden lives of hair, says: "The industry's people are aware that Made in China is considered a negative name, and therefore market it in more incredible ways.

At the high end, 'virgin' hair - hair that was never chemically processed - and 'silver' hair that was cut or shaved by a donor directly.

And then on the contrary, the "standard hair" is used - often for comb wastes as a more marketable term. Yes, Chinese and others, several sleek and polished lengths of hair begin life with coats and plugs.

"The spirits of the people from whom the hair has come do not want to be bothered by anybody." The whole idea of purchasing and wearing other body parts is also a 'YUK' element," she says. The whole supply chain is closed from start to finish.

An entire industry is engaged in the process of waste untangling, processing and treatment. The finished item will still travel through China, but it will probably be a hair blow from many Asian countries as it goes to its end destination. "There is no distinction, it all gets mangled up," Tarlo says.

Content created and supplied by: Ghana_Media_Waves (via Opera News )