Human Hair for Loc Extensions: Which Hair to Buy, How Much You Need and How It's Installed

The best human hair for loc extensions is 100% raw bulk hair — loose, unwefted hair in a texture close to your natural curl pattern, usually natural curly, deep curly or kinky. Bulk hair grips cleanly during crochet installation, blends with your roots and can be washed, dyed and retwisted for years. Arrow Exim is a raw Indian temple hair factory in Chennai, operating since 2011 and supplying salons, locticians and hair brands in more than 30 countries, and bulk hair for locs, braiding and wig-making is one of the most common wholesale requests we receive. This guide explains exactly which hair to buy, how much you need and how loc extensions are installed.

What are loc extensions?

Loc extensions are sections of hair that are attached to your own hair to create fully formed locs instantly, instead of waiting two to four years for natural locs to mature. They are also used to add length or thickness to existing locs, or to repair thinning and broken locs. Human hair loc extensions look and behave like mature natural locs: they can be washed, colored, interlocked and retwisted. Synthetic faux locs, by contrast, are a temporary protective style that is removed after four to eight weeks.

Which hair should you buy for loc extensions?

Buy bulk hair, not weft bundles

Loc extensions are made from bulk hair: loose hair tied at one end with a band, with no weft track sewn across the top. Standard bundles are machine-wefted, so a loctician has to unpick the weft before using them, which wastes hair, creates uneven lengths and adds hours of prep. When you order, ask specifically for loose bulk human hair or bulk braiding hair in the lengths you need. A reliable factory will supply bulk hair with the cuticles aligned in one direction so the finished locs stay smooth instead of matting at the root.

Choose a texture close to your natural pattern

The closer the extension texture is to your own curl pattern, the more seamless the join between your roots and the loc. Kinky or afro-kinky bulk hair suits 4B to 4C natural hair and is the most popular choice for loc extensions. Deep curly or tight curly raw hair blends well with 3C to 4A patterns, and natural wavy bulk hair suits looser textures. Slightly coarse, unprocessed hair is actually an advantage here: it grips better during crochet installation and locs faster than silky processed hair.

How much hair do you need?

Quantity depends on the size and number of locs and on how full you want them. As a rule of thumb for a full head:

• Small locs (90 to 120+ locs): roughly 250 to 350 grams of bulk hair

• Medium locs (60 to 80 locs): roughly 200 to 300 grams

• Large or thick locs (40 to 60 locs): roughly 150 to 250 grams, as each loc uses more hair but there are fewer of them

• Extending existing locs: weigh one loc and multiply — most locs use roughly 3 to 5 grams each

• Length: order about 2 inches longer than your target, because wrapping and crocheting consume length

When in doubt, order one extra 100-gram bundle of bulk hair. Leftover raw hair never goes to waste: it can be used for future repairs, retwists or thickness touch-ups, and it will match the hair already installed.

How are loc extensions installed?

The crochet method is the standard for human hair loc extensions. The loctician sections your hair, forms the bulk hair into a loc with a crochet hook, then attaches it to your natural hair and blends the join so no attachment point is visible. A full head typically takes four to eight hours depending on loc count and the installer's speed. The wrap method, where bulk hair is wrapped tightly around a sectioned base, is common for repairs and for thickening thin spots. Interlocking is then used at the roots during maintenance. Whichever method your loctician uses, properly installed human hair loc extensions are permanent: your own hair gradually locs into the extension over the following months.

Caring for human hair loc extensions

Wash every one to two weeks with a residue-free or clarifying shampoo, squeeze out water and dry the locs thoroughly — trapped moisture is the main cause of odor and mildew in locs. Keep the roots retwisted or interlocked every four to eight weeks, sleep with a satin or silk scarf, and use light oils such as jojoba or argan rather than heavy butters, which build up inside the loc. Raw hair that has never been acid-processed holds up noticeably better to this routine than processed hair, which tends to frizz and thin within months.

Buying loc hair wholesale from India

If you are a loctician, salon or brand buying regularly, buying bulk hair factory-direct from India cuts out two or three layers of middlemen. Typical market pricing for genuine raw Indian bulk hair generally falls somewhere in the range of 40 to 100+ US dollars per 100 grams depending on length, texture and grade — significantly less than retail loc-extension kits, so always confirm current factory pricing directly. Start with a sample order of one or two bundles to verify the hair before committing to a larger order; a genuine factory will accommodate low minimum order quantities for first orders and can supply consistent texture batches so every client's locs match.

Frequently asked questions

How many grams of human hair do I need for a full head of loc extensions?

Most full-head installs use roughly 200 to 350 grams of bulk hair. Smaller, more numerous locs sit at the higher end, and shorter or thicker locs at the lower end. Ordering one spare 100-gram bundle is the safest approach, since leftover hair can be used for future repairs.

What texture of human hair is best for loc extensions?

Kinky or afro-kinky bulk hair is the most popular choice because it matches 4B to 4C natural hair and locs quickly. Deep curly suits 3C to 4A patterns, and natural wavy raw hair suits looser textures. Match the extension to your own root texture for the most seamless result.

Can I use weft bundles instead of bulk hair for locs?

You can, but it is not recommended. The weft must be unpicked by hand, which wastes hair, produces uneven strand lengths and adds hours of preparation. Loose bulk hair sold without a weft is made for this purpose and costs no more per gram.

How long do human hair loc extensions last?

Properly installed human hair loc extensions are effectively permanent. Your natural hair gradually locs into the extension, and with regular retwists the extensions simply become part of your locs. Synthetic faux locs, by contrast, are removed after about four to eight weeks.

Do loc extensions damage your natural hair?

Not when installed and maintained correctly. Damage usually comes from locs that are too heavy for the section holding them, from over-tight installation, or from aggressive retwisting. Choose an experienced loctician, keep loc size proportional to the section, and space maintenance appointments four to eight weeks apart.

Can loc extensions become permanent locs?

Yes. Human hair loc extensions are designed to integrate with your own hair. As your roots grow and are retwisted or interlocked, your natural hair matures into the loc, and after several months the extension and your own hair are one continuous loc.

How much do human hair loc extensions cost?

Costs vary widely by city and installer. The hair itself typically runs in the low hundreds of US dollars for a full head when bought wholesale, while installation is usually quoted separately and often costs more than the hair because of the hours involved. Buying the hair factory-direct and bringing it to your loctician is usually the most economical route.

Is raw Indian hair good for loc extensions?

Yes — raw Indian temple hair is one of the best options for locs. It is unprocessed, so the cuticle is intact and the strands are strong enough to handle crocheting, washing and years of retwisting. Its natural curly and wavy textures blend well with most curl patterns, and it can be colored after installation.

Arrow Exim is a raw Indian temple hair factory in Chennai, India, manufacturing bulk hair, bundles, wefts, closures, frontals and wigs since 2011 and shipping factory-direct to customers in more than 30 countries, wholesale and retail. If you are sourcing human hair for loc extensions, braiding or wig-making, message us on WhatsApp at +91 98841 11108 or email sales@arrowexim.com for current prices, sample orders and texture photos.