Walk into any beauty supply store or scroll through online hair extension retailers and you’ll encounter bundles marketed as Brazilian, Peruvian, Malaysian, or Cambodian hair. The names evoke images of exotic sources, rare textures, and premium quality. Yet the unspoken truth is this: the overwhelming majority of the world’s so-called “Brazilian” or “Peruvian” hair never set foot in South America or Southeast Asia. It is Indian hair—collected at temples, barber shops, and village salons—shipped in bulk to Chinese processing factories, and then repackaged under misleading labels to appeal to consumers, particularly in the United States and Africa.
This global hair trade, valued at over $7 billion annually, thrives on clever marketing and, at times, outright deception.
India: The World’s Largest Source of Human Hair
India is by far the biggest supplier of raw human hair in the world. Millions of women and men regularly donate their hair at temples as part of a centuries-old religious ritual. Temples such as Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh auction tons of hair each year, raising millions of dollars that are used for charitable and religious purposes.
Outside temples, hair is also collected from village barbers and rural households—often referred to as “comb waste” hair—though this hair is typically of inferior quality.
For global buyers, Indian hair is attractive because it is:
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Naturally thick and strong due to diet and genetics.
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Predominantly untreated (not chemically processed).
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Cuticle-aligned when sourced ethically (cut from a single donor, tied, and preserved in one direction).
This makes it ideal for extensions, wigs, and weaves—luxury items in Western and African markets.
👉 Learn about Ethical Hair Sourcing practices in India
Enter China: The Rebranding Machine
While India supplies the hair, China dominates the processing and branding. Cities like Xuchang and Qingdao have become the manufacturing hubs of the hair industry. Tons of raw Indian hair are shipped there every month, where workers sort, chemically treat, dye, and sew the hair into wefts.
Here’s where marketing sleight of hand takes over. Instead of labeling it “Indian hair,” which would be accurate, factories market it as:
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Brazilian Hair – often touted as full-bodied, soft, and with a natural wave.
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Peruvian Hair – marketed as silkier, lighter, and more versatile.
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Malaysian Hair – supposedly smoother and shinier.
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Cambodian Hair – claimed to be coarse, thick, and durable.
The irony? Very little, if any, hair actually comes from Brazil, Peru, or Cambodia. These countries don’t have large-scale systems of hair collection comparable to India. The labels are aspirational marketing terms designed to tap into consumer perceptions.
The “Grade” Illusion: 5A, 8A, 12A, and Beyond
If the country names weren’t confusing enough, Chinese exporters invented another marketing gimmick: the grading system. Shoppers often see hair described as 5A, 8A, 10A, or even 12A Super Double Drawn Virgin Hair.
The problem? There is no international standard for these grades. The grading system is entirely made up, created by Chinese suppliers to upsell products. One factory’s “8A” may be another’s “6A.” A “12A” bundle might simply be slightly thicker or better aligned than a “10A,” but there is no regulated benchmark.
In practice, here’s what these grades often mean:
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Lower grades (3A–5A): Thin, mixed hair, often blended with synthetic fibers.
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Mid-grades (6A–8A): Remy hair with intact cuticles, but may include some shorter strands.
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High grades (9A–12A): Double-drawn hair, with cuticles aligned, longer strands, and minimal shedding.
But again, these terms are arbitrary and vary widely from seller to seller.
Why the Mislabeling Works
There are two main reasons why this system of misbranding persists:
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Consumer Perception:
Buyers associate “Brazilian” or “Peruvian” with luxury, exoticism, and premium quality—even if the hair is Indian. The names add perceived value and justify higher prices.
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Information Gap:
Many end consumers, particularly in the U.S. and Africa, are unaware of how the global hair trade operates. Retailers, distributors, and influencers perpetuate the myths because it keeps margins high.
Who Loses in This System?
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Consumers: They pay inflated prices for mislabeled products, often believing they’re buying something rare.
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Ethical Suppliers: Indian factories that sell authentic raw hair under its true name struggle to compete against misleading branding.
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Trust: The industry as a whole suffers credibility issues, with buyers unsure who to trust.
The Push for Transparency
A growing movement of ethical suppliers is calling out these practices. They market their hair truthfully as Raw Indian Hair, highlighting traceability from temples to factory to customer.
Some salons and retailers in the U.S. and Europe are beginning to educate their clients, emphasizing that authentic Indian temple hair is the gold standard, regardless of the exotic label.
Industry insiders argue that much like the food industry, hair extensions need greater transparency, labeling standards, and consumer education. Until then, the “Brazilian” hair you buy will almost certainly have started its journey in India.
The Bottom Line
“Brazilian,” “Peruvian,” and “Cambodian” hair are, for the most part, marketing myths. The hair is Indian, the branding is Chinese, and the grading system is arbitrary. Consumers pay for the story as much as the strand.
The truth may not be glamorous, but it’s empowering: the finest hair in the world grows from the heads of millions of Indian women, cut in temples and villages, and shipped across oceans. Recognizing that reality is the first step toward a more honest and transparent beauty industry.
