One of the leading organizations for hair donation is Locks of Love, a group that focuses on providing custom hairpieces for children under 21 that have some form of medically diagnosed hair loss. Interested in participating? Here’s a few things you need to know!
1. Hair Requirements
The minimum length that can used to make hairpieces here is 10 inches from tip to tip. For curly hair, the hair can be pulled straight for measurement, and layered hair is acceptable as long as the longest layer is ten inches. When cutting, it must be held together in a ponytail or braid so make sure you don’t mind giving away the hair elastic you’re using. The hair must be clean and dry before being sent in as well. Hair that has been bleached, is in dread locks or is not bunched together cannot be accepted. Gray hair or hair shorter than 10 inches can still be donated, but will be sold to outside buyers to offset the costs of manufacturing. For more donation guidelines, please check out this page.
2. The Cut
You can get your hair cut wherever you’d like as long as you have it bunched together before cutting! Some salons will do it for free if you say you are donating, but the only way to know is if you ask. After it’s cut, go ahead and get it styled however you want! However, I wouldn’t recommend cutting it yourself unless you’re a pro lest it come off at a terrible angle (speaking from experience here).
3. Organization Info
There are multiple organizations that accept donated hair to make hairpieces, however Locks of Love is my favorite. This is the third time I have donated my hair, and I can feel good knowing it is going to a young person who doesn’t have hair so that they can feel more confident and happy. Although the hairpieces are not provided free of charge, they are custom made and sold to families on a sliding scale based on income and individual situation. To find out more about Locks of Love as an organization and other ways you can get involved, check out their home page here!
You don’t need to donate your hair to help the cause; just get talking about it and raise awareness for this great organization!
Photo Credit:
1, author’s own