Method 1 of 2: Cutting Your Hair for Donation
Feb 25, 2020 · DO visit a donation salon if you can find one. Just search “hair donation salon near me” to see what pops up. They will know precisely how to part, tie off, and cut your hair to match their organization’s requirements. DON’T assume organizations will take dyed hair. Some of the ones listed above will accept dyed hair, but not highlighted hair, while others will only accept …
Supercuts, a national chain with 2,100 salons in the U.S., is an option if you want to donate your hair. “We can certainly cut your hair to meet any regulations,” a company representative says. However, any hairstylist can cut your tresses and send in the hair.
Jun 16, 2015 · Some popular organizations include Pantene Beautiful Lengths, Locks of Love, Wigs For Kids, and Children With Hair Loss. For more hair and beauty tips and tricks, or to have your hair cut for a donation, contact us at Richard Francis Salon in Ashland, MA.
The Hair Donating Process. Whether you’re cutting your hair yourself or at the salon, below is exactly how to donate hair to Wigs for Kids (or another charity) no matter your natural hair texture: Hair must be clean and dry.Hair pulled into one ponytail or a braid results in a loss of up to four inches of hair.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wigs can be made by hand or by machine. To begin the process, a wig maker will measure the size and shape of a client’s head. From there, a cast is made, which is used to make the proper size wig. For more information about handmade wigs, check out this video by How It’s Made.
There is a common misconception that hair donation organizations make wigs for children or adults who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy. This is not always true.
After deciding where you want to donate your hair, the next step is to cut it! Make sure that your hair is very clean before cutting it, and always have a professional hair stylist cut your hair, never do it on your own. Your hairdresser will pull your hair back into a low pony tail.
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.
In short, your hair will grow back, but the knowledge that you helped someone will live on forever.
If you’re interested in donating your hair, proper maintenance is the first step. Cartier, a stylist for nearly three decades, recommends using a sulfate-free shampoo, “good” conditioner, and heat protectant for regular haircare. Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids also recommends using high-quality dryers and tools, regular brushing and limiting exposure to heat damage.
Wigs are expensive. Depending on how they’re made, each wig can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars. Because these nonprofits give away their wigs for free and don’t turn anyone eligible away, monetary donations are needed more than ever.
Maggie Varney, right, founder of Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan , teaches volunteer Lamaine Lockhart how to make a plaster mold for a wig. (CNN) As people stay home and skip the salon or barbershop, some hair-focused non-profits are seeing one bright spot in the pandemic: more donated hair going to those who need it.