<p>The global human hair industry, valued at over $10&#xa0;billion, is fuelled largely by exports from India, where cultural practices and socio-economic conditions have historically shaped the trade. While temple offerings account for a small portion of exports, a significant share of human hair is sourced through informal and often exploitative means, particularly from marginalised communities. This article examines the dark underbelly of India’s hair trade, uncovering unethical sourcing practices, gendered labour disparities, and the involvement of organised crime. The illicit trafficking of hair, facilitated by under-invoicing, smuggling routes through Myanmar and Bangladesh to China, and monopolistic market structures, has led to job losses and unfair economic gains. Despite India’s recent regulatory interventions, including export restrictions and licensing requirements, the industry remains opaque and underregulated. This paper highlights the urgent need for transparent supply chains, ethical sourcing, and inclusive policies that recognise and protect the rights of low-income hair collectors. It calls for collaborative action from governments, industry players, and consumers to dismantle trafficking networks and ensure equity in this lucrative global market.</p>