Korab explains that the human hair used in wigs and extensions is mainly sourced from regions like India, China, Eastern Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia.

One wig retailer told Priceonomics that one woman from Indiana got that sum for her hair, which was then turned into a wig priced at $8,000. 7. Short hair also gets collected and sold.

But according to some patients this news organization spoke with, wigs can cost from $500 for synthetic hair to $3,000 or more for a higher-end custom wig made from human hair.