How Much of China’s Hair Extensions Are Used Domestically?

China is a major producer in the global hair extension market, manufacturing a significant volume of hair products each year. These extensions not only meet international demand but also hold an important share of the domestic market. According to market research, approximately 30% to 40% of Chinese-made hair extensions are used domestically, highlighting the significant demand within the domestic market.

Domestic Market Demand

Total Hair Extension Consumption: In 2023, China's total production of hair extensions was around 150 million units, with approximately 45 to 60 million units used domestically. This translates to over 120,000 hair extensions sold in the domestic market daily.
Primary Consumers: In the domestic market, hair extensions are popular among young women, middle-aged women, and those with specific needs for special occasions. For instance, in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, the usage rate of hair extensions is relatively high. Data from local beauty salons indicate that over 30% of young women in these cities use hair extensions for daily life and social activities.
Market Growth: In recent years, the annual growth rate of China’s domestic hair extension market has been around 10%. This growth is largely driven by fashion trends and the rapid development of the beauty industry, with expectations for this trend to continue in the coming years.

Drivers of Consumption

The widespread use of hair extensions in the domestic market is driven by several factors:

Fashion Trends: As fashion trends evolve, especially among young women eager to try new hairstyles, hair extensions have become a popular beauty tool. The influence of social media has further fueled this demand for hair extensions.
Social Media: Platforms such as WeChat, Weibo, and Douyin（Chinese version of Tiktok）have made it easier for people to share and mimic hair extension styles. Viral hair extension challenges and hairstyle videos on these platforms attract a large audience and drive sales.
Beauty Industry: The expansion of services in beauty salons and hair salons has made hair extensions more common. These professional establishments offer customized and high-quality hair extensions, attracting consumers seeking individuality and style.

The performance of the hair extension market also reflects strong domestic demand. For instance, at the 2023 Beijing International Beauty Expo, renowned hair extension brands showcased their latest products and designs. The expo data revealed that approximately 35% of the hair extensions sold during the event were purchased by domestic consumers, indicating a strong demand for high-quality hair products. Additionally, the total annual market value of hair extensions in China, including both domestic and international sales, has reached 20 billion RMB (equals to about 2.8 billion USD), with 6 to 8 billion RMB of this amount attributed to domestic sales. This further demonstrates the market’s robust performance and growth potential.

In summary, the demand for Chinese-made hair extensions in the domestic market is growing steadily. As consumer acceptance of hair extensions increases and the beauty industry continues to develop, the market is expected to keep expanding, providing rich opportunities for manufacturers and injecting new momentum into the industry.