The most important items to remember are:
Not everyone can grow their hair as long as 10 inches, but don’t worry, you might still be able to contribute! Locks of Love will usually accept shorter hair donations as well because while these can’t be used for making their wigs, they can sometimes sell the hair and use the money for the manufacturing costs of a wig. Getting the Hair Cut
To donate or sell your hair, it has to be long and in good condition. The required length depends on the charity or company you use. Some ask for at least 7 inches (about 17 cm), while others ask for at least 14 inches (about 35cm).
360 Hair Donations360 Hair Donations Hair must be freshly washed, dry and not swept off the floor. Hair must be a minimum 8 inches in length (from just above elastic band of ponytail to the ends.) Hair should be bundled in a ponytail at both ends or a braid. Wavy/curly hair texture — MUST straighten hair to measure.
Minimum length: 6 inch measured tip to tip. Curly hair may be pulled straight to measure the minimum of 6 inch. Please check with them about the minimum length of hairs that is acceptable. Minimum length of hair accepted is 15 inch.
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.
Measure the length of the ponytail from the elastic band; make sure the hair is at least 8 inches. Any length shorter than 8 inches is too short to be used in a wig and will not be used. There is no maximum length requirement. (If your hair is not 8 inches, continue to grow your hair out.)
Measure your ponytail to ensure the cut ponytail will be at least 8 inches long. Anything shorter will not be used, as 8 inches or longer is required to make a wig.
Currently, the three biggest charities in the US that accept hair donations are Locks of Love, Wigs for Kids, and Pantene Beautiful Lengths.
They are provided to the children free of charge, and they may receive a new one every two years until they turn 21 years old. Locks of Love says that, despite rumors to the contrary, children and their families are never charged for the hair prosthetics they receive.
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.
Pack your supplies. Bring the organization’s hair-cutting guidelines, a ruler, ponytail holders, and a resealable plastic bag.
What should I bring to my haircut? Give the organization's guidelines to your stylist to follow. Bring a ruler to make sure the hair meets the minimum length requirement .
How long does my hair need to be? Donated hair needs to be a minimum length when straightened, usually from 8 to 14 inches (about 21 to 36 centimeters). Find out what the chosen organization requires.
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.
If you’re looking to donate a wig that you used during your own cancer treatment, instead of your hair, there are other organizations that will take them. For example, the EBeauty Community refurbishes wigs and provides them to women receiving chemotherapy. Or, contact a nearby cancer center or oncology office to ask about donating your wig locally.
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.
It allows you to help individuals who are experiencing hair loss due to alopecia, cancer treatments, and other conditions.
3. You can donate layered hair. Layered hair doesn’t count you out from donating your hair, but you’ll need to make sure the shortest layer meets the hair donation length requirements—not just the longest.
There are certain salons that are affiliated with hair donation organizations that will be extra familiar with the whole process, but you can also tell your go-to hairstylist your plans and fill them in to make sure they can assist.
Regular brushing improves hair health! Use a Wet Brush or comb on wet hair to gently detangle it after showering. Towel dry your hair before using a blow dryer to decrease thermal damage.
The hair can then be sent to: Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan located at: 30130 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082.
Hair needs to be clean, and thoroughly dry. Please bundle hair in a ponytail or braid before having it cut. After securing the hair, have it cut 1 inch ABOVE the rubber band to keep the strands bundled together - this is inclusive of the 10 inches. Hair may be cut or buzzed depending on your preferred style.
Tips When Preparing Your Hair for Donation. Condition your hair after each shampoo to keep hair healthy. If working with styling tools, you can use a leave-in conditioner to help boost protection from heat damage. Also shop around for high quality dryers and styling tools. Regular brushing improves hair health!
Go Green Salon, located inside Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, offers a consultation, haircut & style for a fee to those wishing to donate their hair. 50% of the proceeds from the fee goes back to our program. For more information, call 586-772-6656 .
Hair may be cut or buzzed depending on your preferred style. Layered hair is acceptable and may be divided into multiple ponytails and then cut. Hair may not be colored or chemically treated within the last 2 years (including temporary color, stains, sun-in, henna, indigo, permanent color, highlights, perms or relaxers, etc).