who can you donate hair to

by Vincenza Reynolds MD 9 min read

11 Places to Donate Hair and What to Know

  • Locks of Love. Ponytail donations are used to create hair prosthesis for children in need. ...
  • Dreadlocks of Love. This organization creates loc wigs for Cancer patients of all ages. ...
  • Children with Hair Loss. ...
  • Hair Donation Ottawa. ...
  • Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids. ...
  • Wigs for Kids. ...
  • Children with Hair Loss. ...
  • Childhood Leukemia Foundation. ...
  • Hair We Share. ...
  • Pink Heart Funds. ...

More items...

Where to Donate Your Hair, and Five Nonprofits that will Take it
  • Locks of Love. Hair loss can be devastating for individuals, especially young children. ...
  • Children with Hair Loss. This nonprofit provides free human hair replacement to children and young adults. ...
  • Chai Lifeline. ...
  • Wigs for Kids. ...
  • Matter of Trust.
Feb 3, 2020

Full Answer

What is the best hair donation organization?

Feb 25, 2020 · 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. Top hair donation organizations include: Locks of Love Wigs for Kids Hair We Share

How long does your hair have to be for donation?

Apr 02, 2022 · Here, you’ll be donating hair to organizations and facilities that accept it. Usually, the hair goes to patients who have leukemia, cancer, and other conditions that require chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, you can be helpful differently, and this method requires at least 8 to 12 inches of your hair.

What is the minimum hair length to donate?

Dec 09, 2020 · The Hair Donating Process Ron McClenny/Unsplash 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. Wet hair will mold during shipping and will be thrown away.

How do you donate your hair to charity?

Apr 26, 2018 · If you have layered hair, the shortest layer often needs to meet the minimum length requirement. Adults and children can donate hair. You may need to find out if an organization will or will not take hair that’s been colored, permed, highlighted, bleached, or dreadlocked.

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How many inches of hair do you need 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

What is the best charity to donate hair to?

Best Organizations for Hair DonationLocks of Love.Wigs for Kids.Hair We Share.Children With Hair Loss.Feb 25, 2020

Where can I donate my hair Philippines 2021?

Where can I donate my hair in the Philippines?Makati Medical Center. Makati Medical Center has been hosting their annual hair donation drive ever since 2016. ... Hair For Hope. Hair For Hope is an initiative spearheaded by HEADS by Volu-Med Manila and the European Hair Factory, Inc. ... Strand Up For Cancer. ... Kythe-Ateneo.Jun 12, 2021

Does donating 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

Why do people lose their hair?

Alopecia areata, cancer radiation therapy and severe burns are just some of the reasons why someone can lose their hair. And hair loss is not just a cosmetic concern — it can also seriously affect someone's mental health. But you can make a difference by choosing to donate your locks.

How many people have alopecia areata?

Nearly 7 million Americans have been diagnosed with the autoimmune disease alopecia areata, which can cause permanent hair loss. Hair We Share designs customized human-hair wigs and donates them to people struggling with hair loss who have a financial need. Ponytails must be packaged in a plastic bag to be accepted.

What is a natural hair wig?

The natural hair wigs are carefully designed to mimic each child's own hair and stay comfortably in place during sports or playground activities. "I've donated my hair multiple times and am growing it out now to donate again," said Rachel Timmerman of The Analytical Mommy. "The donation process is super easy.

What is wigs for kids?

For over 30 years, Wigs for Kids — one of the most established hair-donation organizations — has been creating and giving wigs to children who have suffered serious hair loss. The natural hair wigs are carefully designed to mimic each child's own hair and stay comfortably in place during sports or playground activities.

What is matter of trust?

Matter of Trust is a different kind of hair donation organization that's intent on improving the environment. It collects clippings from groomers, salons and individuals and felts the natural fibers into mats that can be used to soak up petrochemical pollutants and oil spills from waterways.

What is Locks of Love?

Locks of Love understands how detrimental hair loss can be to self-confidence. Since 1997, it's been tailoring hair donations and fashioning wigs, especially for disadvantaged children. Locks of Love make the hair donation process pretty straightforward, with specific instructions listed on its website.

Why did Pink Heart Funds stop accepting donations?

After 12 years of accepting human hair donations, Pink Heart Funds has had to stop accepting donations due to its factory shutting down amid the pandemic.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

Where are Hair U Wear wigs made?

Hair U Wear made the wigs at its factory in Indonesia and then shipped them back to Pantene, which gave the well-traveled hair to the American Cancer Society to distribute at its wig banks across the US. You can see which groups each organizations provides wigs to in the table above.

How many ponytails does it take to make a wig?

It actually takes about 10 to 12 ponytails to make one wig. If you watch the first Facebook Live video embedded in this story, you can see how my stylist segmented the hair before he cut it. The hair has to be completely dry before you send it, too, so it doesn't get moldy. They have to throw hair away if it is.

Can you stretch curly hair?

You can stretch curly hair out to reach the minimum length, but the shortest layers have to meet that number or they probably won't be used . Make sure you put the hair in multiple ponytails or rubber bands before you cut it so it stays together when you send it in.

Does Locks of Love charge for wigs?

Locks of Love doesn't charge kids for the wigs — but they do sometimes sell the hair if it's too short or grey. Once I dug into why, though, it made sense. "Shorter hair will be separated from the ponytails and sold to offset the manufacturing costs.

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