how to donate your hair to charity

by Dr. Pearline Ritchie 7 min read

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

What to know before donating your hair to charity?

Ready to Donate Your Hair? 1. Start Your Donation with Hair Length If you’re interested in donating your hair to kids in need, your first step is... 2. Get in Contact with a Hair Professional We rely on talented hair professionals to properly cut …

Where is the best place to donate hair?

Send your hair donation to the appropriate address for the charity. Below are the most common stipulations for hair donations: Make sure hair is a minimum of 12 inches for proper hair donation length. Pull curly hair straight for a more accurate measurement. Cut hair above the rubber band.

How to get a free haircut with donation?

Apr 26, 2018 · Here’s how to make the kindest cut of all: 1. Choose where to send your hair. Every hair donation organization has its own mission and goals. Do a little research... 2. Read the hair donation requirements carefully. It’s important to follow an organization’s donation requirements if... 3. Make sure ...

What is the best hair donation organization?

Jan 29, 2018 · How to donate your hair to charity. Longer the better. First, the length of hair donated needs to be at least seven inches. An amount of hair is lost in the wig-making process, so the ... Most colours, not all styles. Speak first, cut later. Tie up loose ends.

image

How long does hair need to be to donate?

8 to 14 inchesDonated 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. Are there types of hair I can't donate? Some organizations may not take hair that is colored/bleached, permed, dreadlocked, or gray.Apr 26, 2018

Does donating your hair actually help?

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

Can I sell my 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

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.

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...

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 c...

Send in Your Hair Donation

Mail the hair with the required hair donation form (linked below) in a sealed envelope or a small shipping box (special containers or insurance are...

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:

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.

Do you have to tell your hairdresser you want to donate?

You will need to tell your hairdresser, or whomever is cutting your hair, that you want to donate before they start, because there are a few guidelines. For example, the hair has to be dry when it is cut, which is atypical.

Does the Duchess of Cambridge have a ponytail?

F ollowing in the footsteps of Harry Styles, The Duchess of Cambridge has reportedly donated her similarly lustrous, brunette ponytail to Little Princess Trust, a charity that gives free real-hair wigs to children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment or other illnesses. Since 2006, the charity has provided 5,500 wigs for children ...

Did Kate Middleton donate her hair?

Kate Middleton has reportedly donated her locks to an organisation that provides wigs to children who have lost their hair. If you’re going for the chop, here’s how you can follow suit.

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.

How many children do Chai Lifeline help?

Make a difference to the lives of seriously ill children and donate hair to Chai Lifeline. This global charity helps 4,300 children and their families in the U.S. It’s a thoughtful way to help families and children have the happy and normal life they deserve. The gift of giving a wig is one of the many ways this charity helps improve the lives ...

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.

What is 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.

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.

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 

Is Locks of Love a hair donation?

Locks of Love is one organization synonymous with hair donation, but it is not the only one you can choose to support. In fact, you may find that a Locks of Love donation is not the right fit for your hair, so it is essential to do your research.

Does Children with Hair Loss have wigs?

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. Children With Hair Loss also has an extensive list of salon partners that make it easy for donors to cut and donate their hair.

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 many inches of hair do you need for a wig 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.

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.

How to donate hair?

Below are the most common stipulations for hair donations: 1 Make sure hair is a minimum of 12 inches for proper hair donation length. Pull curly hair straight for a more accurate measurement. 2 Hair cannot be permed, color-treated, or highlighted. 3 Temporary coloring or highlights that wash out are acceptable but must be completely washed out before cutting. 4 Gray hair is accepted.

Can hair grow back?

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

image