how can you donate your hair

by Dr. Gregory Jones 7 min read

The Hair Donating Process.

  • Hair must be clean and dry. Wet hair will mold during shipping and will be thrown away.
  • Tie hair into at least four sections (six are even better) around the head for a more generous donation. Hair pulled into one ponytail or a braid ...
  • Make sure each ponytail or braid is tightly secured. Loosely wrapped hair tends to come out of its band when shipped, making it unusable. Please be ...
  • Cut hair above the rubber band.
  • Wrap all ponytails in one piece of tissue paper and seal in a plastic bag. Send your hair donation to the appropriate address for the charity.

The Hair Donating Process
  1. Hair must be clean and dry. ...
  2. Tie hair into at least four sections (six are even better) around the head for a more generous donation. ...
  3. Make sure each ponytail or braid is tightly secured. ...
  4. Cut hair above the rubber band.
  5. Wrap all ponytails in one piece of tissue paper and seal in a plastic bag.
Dec 9, 2020

Full Answer

How long does your hair have to be for donation?

Feb 25, 2020 · Make sure your hair donation meets an organization's specifications. Submit hair that is healthy, trimmed, clean, dry, and at least 8 inches long. Follow shipping instructions exactly. Don'ts Assume an organization accepts dyed, gray, or too short hair. Mix hair from multiple people. Send hair that appears unhealthy and is unwashed.

What is the minimum hair length to donate?

HOW TO DONATE HAIR. 1. Meet the minimum donation length. If you’ve been asking yourself, “How long does your hair have to be to donate it?” it’s time to listen up. 2. Keep your locks clean. One of the keys to a successful hair donation is to ensure that …

What are the requirements for donating hair?

Send in Your Hair Donation Place the dry ponytail in a sealed Ziploc bag and then inside a sealed envelope addressed to: Wigs For Kids — Hair Donations 24231 Center Ridge Road Westlake, Ohio 44145 Get Your Donation Barcode Are you ready to donate? Click on the button below to fill out our Hair Donation form.

How to donate your hair to help people with cancer?

To donate hair, the charity requires at least 10 inches in length, preferably tied in a ponytail or braid format. 2. Children with Hair Loss. This nonprofit provides free human hair replacement to children and young adults. When you’re facing medically-related hair loss, a well-fitted hair piece can improve your life and self-esteem. It’s easy to donate hair, as long as you can provide at …

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How many inches of hair do you need to donate?

12 inchesMake sure hair is a minimum of 12 inches for proper hair donation length. We encourage you to wait and grow a longer ponytail (14+ inches) to have the most impact on a child in need. Pull curly hair straight for a more accurate measurement.

Can you donate 1 inch of hair?

It's important to follow an organization's donation requirements if you want your hair to be used. All of them have a minimum length of hair that can be donated, commonly ranging from 8 inches to 14 inches. If you have layered hair, the shortest layer often needs to meet the minimum length requirement.Apr 26, 2018

Does donating hair do anything?

The Children's Cancer Research Fund has stated that 80 percent of childhood cancers can be cured or treated successfully. By donating your hair, money, or time, you will be doing something to help a sick child start to feel like a regular kid again.Aug 18, 2020

How much does hair grow in a month?

about 1/2 inch per monthThe American Academy of Dermatology says that hair grows about 1/2 inch per month on average. That's a grand total of about 6 inches per year for the hair on your head.

Is Locks of Love good?

This charity's score is 90.67, earning it a 4-Star rating. Donors can "Give with Confidence" to this charity.

Can you sell your hair?

Can you sell your hair for money? Yes, it is possible! In fact, many people around the world have earned extra money by selling their hair to online buyers.Nov 11, 2021

Should I straighten my hair before donating it?

Hair Requirements: Donated hair must be a minimum of 8 inches long (measure hair from just above the elastic band of the ponytail to the ends). Wavy/curly hair texture is fine—you may straighten hair to measure. Hair should be freshly washed and completely dry, without any styling products.Jan 1, 2006

Can I donate my hair if it's dyed?

Hair that is colored or permed is acceptable. A past haircut is usable only if it was preserved in a ponytail or braid. A Hair that has been bleached (usually this refers to highlighted hair) is not usable.Aug 11, 2021

Why are hair donations discarded?

Many hair donations are discarded each year because they do not meet the proper criteria. To ensure your donation arrives safely and is accepted, know the proper way to donate to the organization of your choice. Do's. Research hair donation organizations to find the right fit for your hair.

What is the most popular hair donation organization?

Locks of Love may be the most popular hair donation organization. Since 1997, Locks of Love has made hundreds of wigs, or “prostheses” as they call them, each year. This organization creates wigs from real hair specifically for children to address issues with “traditional” wigs that are too large, too rough and not offered in children’s styles. 6 

What is hair we share?

Founded in 2014, Hair We Share donates real hair wigs to children under 18 and adults facing financial hardships. Most wigs go to people who have medical conditions or chemo-related hair loss, or who have experienced trauma, such as burns, that prevent hair regrowth. 9  Hair We Share has some “donation salons” across the United States that properly cut and ship hair. Acceptable hair must be at least 12 inches long and not dyed or bleached. You can also cut and send your hair, but do check out the process first. 10  They also offer a unique “Track Your Ponytail” program so that donors can see exactly what their donation is doing. 10 

How many ponytails does it take to make a wig?

In fact, according to Locks of Love, it takes 10 to 12 ponytails to make one wig. 5 . This is why donating those long locks is so important; the more healthy hair that is donated, the more women and children can regain confidence as they fight their battles.

How many wigs have children with hair loss donated?

Since 2000, Children With Hair Loss has gifted real hair wigs to children and young adults facing medically-related hair loss. 11  In 2019, they donated 608 wigs to children all over the U.S. 12  Their wigs also come with a “care kit” so that children can maintain their wigs for many years.

When was Wigs for Kids founded?

Founded in 1981 , Wigs for Kids is one of the longest-running hair donation organizations in the U.S. Founded by Jeffrey Paul and his wife, the organization has developed wigs for kids that can “withstand typical kid activities.” They do not outsource their wig creation to manufacturers, and the wigs are designed for high levels of activity, 7 

Does hair loss affect self esteem?

In fact, studies show that losing hair during cancer treatments makes patients feel sicker and affects their self-esteem drastically. 1  People with naturally-occurring or chemo-induced alopecia have higher levels of anxiety and depression, lower self-esteem, and poor body image—just to name a few. 2 .

How long should hair be before donating?

Make sure hair is a minimum of 12 inches for proper hair donation length. Pull curly hair straight for a more accurate measurement. Hair cannot be permed, color-treated, or highlighted. Temporary coloring or highlights that wash out are acceptable but must be completely washed out before cutting.

How many sections of hair do you need for a hair donation?

Hair must be clean and dry. Wet hair will mold during shipping and will be thrown away. Tie hair into at least four sections (six are even better) around the head for a more generous donation. Hair pulled into one ponytail or a braid results in a loss of up to four inches of hair.

How to make a ponytail with hair around each ear?

To create four ponytails, tie the hair in front of each ear into ponytails, and then tie the hair behind each ear into ponytails. Make sure each ponytail or braid is tightly secured.

Who is the founder of Hair Donation Company?

The Founder of a Hair Donation Company Explains Exactly How to Give. written by. Maya Allen. Author's Instagram. Author's Twitter. Maya was an assistant editor at Byrdie for a year and a half. Currently, she serves as Marie Claire's digital beauty editor. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines. Maya Allen.

Can hair grow back?

In short, your hair will grow back, but the knowledge that you helped someone will live on forever.

Is gray hair accepted?

Gray hair is accepted. Though the overall process is very similar from organization to organization, the specifics, such as how long your hair must be in order to qualify, may differ. Check the individual organization's websites to be sure you're complying with their rules .

Does Wigs for Kids help with radiation?

But there are amazing organizations out there that work to help those individuals, like Wigs for Kids, which provides wigs to children who are going through radiation therapy or who have alopecia, trichotillomania, burns, and other medical issues, at no cost to the children or their families.

How to donate hair to a salon?

Before you head to the salon, make sure to: 1 Wash and dry your hair. After you wash your hair, don’t use any hair products, such as hairspray, gel, or mousse. Hair that’s donated must be completely dry before it’s shipped so it doesn’t mold and become unusable. 2 Pack your supplies. Bring the organization’s hair-cutting guidelines, a ruler, ponytail holders, and a resealable plastic bag. 3 Have a hairstyle in mind. Cutting your hair for a cause can make you feel great, but you also need to know what kind of style you want when you walk out of the salon. This can help you avoid having any regrets from donating your hair.

What to do before going to a hair salon?

Before you head to the salon, make sure to: Wash and dry your hair. After you wash your hair, don’t use any hair products, such as hairspray, gel, or mousse. Hair that’s donated must be completely dry before it’s shipped so it doesn’t mold and become unusable. Pack your supplies.

Can organizations take hair that has been colored?

You may need to find out if an organization will or will not take hair that’s been colored, permed, highlighted, bleached, or dreadlocked. Also, some organizations accept gray hair or hair with a certain percentage of gray in it, while others don’t accept it at all.

Do you need a hairstylist to do a donation cut?

Make sure that you and your hairstylist follow the donation cut instructions. A hairstylist doesn’t need special training to do a donation cut, but be sure to tell your hairstylist the reason for your haircut and the guidelines of the organization you’ve selected.

How many inches of hair do you need to donate to Wigs for Kids?

Wigs for Kids. Wigs for Kids makes wigs for kids under 18 who’ve lost their hair due to medical reasons. They require at least 12 inches of hair that is not dyed, bleached, or highlighted. To donate your hair, the hair must be bound in a ponytail. Together we can take childhood back from cancer.

What is Beyoutiful Foundation?

BeYOUtiful Foundation provides online education (cutting, styling, utilizing wigs, and dealing with chemo hair) to local cancer survivors, while also making wigs for women of all ages who are dealing with the realities of the disease.

WHY YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER DONATING YOUR HAIR

Hair donation is a beautiful and selfless act. It allows you to help individuals who are experiencing hair loss due to alopecia, cancer treatments, and other conditions.

WHERE TO DONATE HAIR

If you are interested in hair donation, the first step is determining where to donate your hair. There are various hair donation companies that are ready and willing to accept your gift. You’ll want to take this step first instead of cutting because different organizations will have different rules and guidelines.

HOW TO DONATE HAIR

You need to know a few things to ensure that your hair can be eligible for donation. Keep these seven tips in mind.

CAN YOU DONATE DYED HAIR?

When it comes to the topic of hair donation, “Can you donate dyed hair?” is one of the most-asked questions. While you may have heard having colored hair rules you out, that isn’t quite the case. This is another topic that is impacted by the organization you choose.

1. Start Your Donation with Hair Length

If you’re interested in donating your hair to kids in need, your first step is to set a length goal. While we accept hair donations of 12 inches or longer, we encourage you to donate 14+ inches of hair; the more length you can donate, the more of an impact you will make.

2. Get in Contact with a Hair Professional

We rely on talented hair professionals to properly cut the hair ponytails and braids that are then donated to Wigs for Kids. The professional you contact must follow these steps for cutting and donating your hair or ponytail.

3. Send in Your Hair Donation

Place the dry ponytail in a sealed ziplock bag and then inside a sealed envelope addressed to:

What are some ways to help children with hair loss?

1. Locks of Love. Hair loss can be devastating for individuals, especially young children. Locks of Love helps youngsters find a sense of normalcy and confidence by utilizing donated ponytails. Made into wigs designed for children, these are made for financially disadvantaged children.

Why do people give wigs?

The gift of giving a wig is one of the many ways this charity helps improve the lives of children living with medical conditions. It accepts hair donations from both adults and children for wig use.

What is Matter of Trust?

Matter of Trust is an ecological public charity, that uses everyday items to clean up the environment. Hair is amongst the long list of items they accept, including hemp, fur and feathers. In turn, these materials are used to keep storm drains clear, and help soak up oil spills, in an eco-savvy way.

When did Wigs for Kids start?

To help heal the pain of hair loss, Wigs for Kids has been serving children with hair loss since 1981 .Their underlying belief is that kids shouldn’t have to worry about how they look, particularly during a health crisis.

Can you donate hair to help the environment?

This includes living with conditions such as alopecia, through to managing hair loss through medical conditions such as cancer. There are also some more unusual ways your hair donation can help the wider environment.

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