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How to Make Money by Selling Your Hair

Believe it or not there is high demand for human hair. Wigmakers, hair extension companies, collectors and even some jewelers are willing to pay as much as $2000 a pop for healthy long locks of hair.

So how do you prepare your hair for selling? And where exactly can you sell your hair? This article explains everything you will need to know to begin selling your tresses.

Requirements for Selling Your Hair

Before you go any further, you will need to determine whether or not you will be able to sell your hair. Here are the principal requirements:

Your hair will need to be longer than 10 inches.
You will be expected to have healthy “virgin hair,” meaning that your hair is free from chemical treatment such as dye, perms or bleach.
The cut hair will have to be properly prepared as per the guidelines of the buyer.

How Much Can You Make?

The amount you can make for selling hair can vary hugely depending on the hair’s color, length, quality and how well you market it. For very long hair that is of great quality and a color sought after, it is possible to earn in excess of $2000. But most hair is sold for about $300 to $900.

Preparing Your Hair for the Sale

Once you know that you want to sell your hair, you can start preparing it for the best possible price.

The longer your hair is the more it will sell for, so you may decide to bide your time before selling. Bear in mind that hair grows an average of 6 inches a year.
The foods that you consume have an impact on the condition of your hair, so eat healthily.
Avoid smoking and drugs as this can have a detremental affect on your hair.
Do not shampoo your hair every day as this strips it of it's natural oils.
Be gentle when you brush your hair.

Listing and Marketing Your Hair

The easiest place to sell you hair is on specialized websites (check out the resources below). Use these listing tips to ensure that you receive the best possible price for your hair

Photos of your hair are of course crucial. Take various shots from different angles (before it has been cut).
Before photographing, wash and rinse your hair with cold water to increase shine. Proceed to brush well.
You might also want to consider trimming split ends along with some minimal styling in order to make the hair look it's natural best.
Have the photos taken in natural light, preferably on sunny day. It is difficult to take pictures of your own hair, so have someone else take them for you.
Make sure to provide a detailed description of the length and quality of the hair, including, your health habits and living conditions (ie. a non-smoking environment). You should also give a rough dollar amount for what you would like to receive from your hair sale.

Receiving Payment

Payment will most commonly be sent via PayPal. If you don’t have an account then opening one can be done in a matter of minutes.

Checks and money orders may also be occasionally sent, but whichever form of payment you receive, make sure to let it clear before you dispatch the sold hair.

Cutting and Sending Your Hair

Don’t cut or send your hair until it has been sold. This protects you in the case of a fraudulent buyer or a buyer pulling out of the sale.
If your hair is very long, consider getting it braided before cutting. Otherwise, keep it bundled with a rubber band around the top.
Package your hair in an airtight bag or padded mailer. Don’t send it until you’ve received payment.
Send the hair insured and with delivery confirmation to ensure that it is received. Sending with delivery confirmation also gives you seller protection when using PayPal.

Resources: Where to Sell Your Hair

The two most common hair selling websites are The Hair Trader and Hairwork. It is also possible to sell hair on eBay and Craigslist, although it will probably not fetch as much as it would on the specialized websites.

Written by Jon Boyd Barrett

Comments (4)

My hair

4 Saturday, 23 January 2010 12:24

I have very long hair. It is dark blonde and is naturally curly and thick and wavy. I was wondering how much I can get for it and what the most and least I can get for it? How much money? thanks

Sell your hair

3 Tuesday, 24 November 2009 07:34

That is interesting detail. I just wrote a post about a hair seller based in Madrid, Justino Delgado. They don't just supply full on wig makers, there is a big demand for ponytails for hair extensions, which are all the rage these days.

Who buys hair and for what?

2 Tuesday, 13 October 2009 14:05

I am curious as to why someone other than a wig maker would buy hair?

Hair

1 Monday, 12 October 2009 06:55

A male friend of mine has beautiful hair but he is on a fixed income due to his physical disability and was wanting to make some extra money for the upcoming Holiday Seasons. He has never used a blow dryer and does not color treat his hair. It is a beautiful long wavy brown style, all one length. I am hoping that he gets what his hair is worth. I'm just a concerned friend who runs errands for him and cleans his home once a week. I'm excited to see how much he will get for his hair, who ever gets it is going to be very pleased with the texture and condition of the hair.

Respectfully, His True Friend~

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