Millions of people suffer from hair loss, whether due to stress, hereditary reasons, aging, illness or other circumstances. While hair is just a singular part of a person’s appearance and complexity, it does have the potential to significantly impact one’s way of life and self-perception. The good news is that there are many organizations that utilize donated hair to provide wigs for those who have been impacted by hair loss, such as the non-profits Hair We Share and Locks of Love.
Hair donation is a simple way to give a piece of yourself to another person in need and the impact can be profound. Because wigs can be very expensive, for those who may be purchasing a wig as a result of a medical condition, the cost can be especially traumatic. For instance, the wigs provided via Hair We Share can retail for over $3,000 — but hair donations can cut this cost in half.
Interested in making an impact with your hair? By doing a bit of research and getting the right haircut, you’ll be one step closer to changing someone else’s life for the better.
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Why do people donate hair?
Individuals donate their hair for a variety of reasons, but one constant remains the same: the positive impact such an act can have.
“Hair donations are a win/win for our organization and the donor,” says Madonna Coffman, President of Locks of Love. “Locks of Love is able to provide donated human hair to our manufacturer who produces the custom-made prosthesis for our recipients.” Recipients are grateful to have received a wig and donors are happy to have been able to make a difference.
Similar to Locks of Love, Hair We Share is another organization that strives to help those whose lives have been altered by hair loss. “Our mission is to help maintain the dignity, confidence, and self-esteem of those affected by medical hair loss,” says Hair We Share co-founder and wig designer Suzanne Chimera, an ethos supported by many that choose to donate hair.
Where is the best place to donate hair?
Here are some reputable hair donation organizations to consider:
How to know if you’re eligible to donate hair
If you’re wondering how long your hair needs to be to donate it, every organization has its own requirements. Generally, a minimum of ten to twelve inches is requested. The majority of people are willing to part with that minimum length, Chimera has found, but finding donations of longer lengths is tough. “This has been a huge challenge because most of our wig recipients are asking for wigs that are 16+ inches, which means we are most in need of donations from 20 to 30 inches, [which are] very difficult to come by,” she explains.
In addition to the length, hair donors must not have undergone chemotherapy, which can damage hair. Any split ends should be trimmed off before donating; otherwise, the organizations have to do so themselves, which can be a very time-consuming process. Hair should also be donated when dry rather than wet, which can cause mold to grow.
Locks of Love donation info
Here are the guidelines for donating hair via Locks of Love:
- Colored or permed hair is acceptable, but hair that was cut off years ago is no longer eligible for use — it must be freshly chopped.
- Hair must be bundled in a ponytail or braid, and be sure it doesn’t fall on the floor when cutting.
- Dreadlocks cannot be used because “the process of blending hair donations together requires the hair must be combed,” according to the Locks of Love website.
- Curly hair may be straightened in order to meet the 10-inch hair minimum.
Hair We Share donation info
Follow these parameters to donate hair to Hair We Share:
- Hair can be permed or colored, but highlighted hair is not accepted, as it “compromises the integrity of the hair strength [and] the hair will most likely not withstand the ventilating process,” Chimera says. “If it does withstand this process, we run the risk of it shedding from the wig as the recipient is wearing it.”
- Coily hair donations are not accepted, but Hair We Share does work with other hair types to create texture.
Can men donate hair?
Yes, men can donate hair. In fact, Hair We Share has seen a large increase in donations from men during the pandemic. “About three or four months into the pandemic, we started getting multiple inquiries from men about the donation process,” Chimera says.
How do I donate hair?
When cutting hair to be donated, it’s best to section it into multiple ponytails first, as the more ponytails there are, the more length the organization will be able to obtain for the wig. “If you picture your hair in one ponytail at the back of your head, when it is cut off you are only getting length from the hair that grows right under the base of the ponytail,” Chimera says. “The remaining hair will be very uneven and end up getting cut anyway.”
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By sectioning hair into two or more parts, the donor will be able to keep more of their hair length, too. “If hair is pulled into one ponytail, the hair combed from each side is shorter in the ponytail, thereby making it too short to be used,” Madonna says. “Generally in a ponytail, only about 50% of the hair actually meets the 10-inch requirement, but when sectioned into smaller bundles, the hair is longer.”
How can people help if they can’t donate hair?
If you’re not able to donate hair, many organizations appreciate support through monetary donations. While hair donation is an important part of the creation process, the hair alone does not make the wig. “85% of all donations go directly to running our program, and 15% to expenses,” Chimera says. “We can always use in-kind donations of goods and services to help keep our expenses to a minimum.” By contributing a monetary donation, you can help to subsidize the cost of manufacturing the wigs.
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