I kind of think that I should wait until after the summer, so that I can continue to throw my hair back into a ponytail or braid when it's hot as hell outside (i.e. all the time). Another reason I may wait a bit longer is because I'd like to donate my hair if I can, and it's not quite long enough for some programs. I did a lot of research last week, and most of these programs want hair that is 8, 10 or 12 inches long. While my longest layers might be 8 inches long, my shortest are nowhere near that long. And I don't know if I'll make it another 6-8 months, which is how long it'll take for my hair to grow out enough to donate.
Anyway, I spent all of last Friday night sitting in front of the computer, researching the options (are you jealous of my glamorous life? I know you are) and I figured I'd compile them here for anyone else who is interested in hair donation.
Organization: Pantene Beautiful Lengths
Hair is used to: create wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment
Donation Guidelines:
- Donated hair must be a minimum of 8 inches long (measure hair from just above the elastic band of the ponytail to the ends). If your hair is layered, the shortest layer must be at least 8 inches long.
- Wavy/curly hair texture is fine—you may straighten hair to measure.
- Hair should be freshly washed and completely dry, without any styling products.
- Hair may be colored with vegetable dyes, rinses and semi-permanent dyes. It cannot be bleached, permanently colored or chemically treated.
- Hair may not be more than 5 percent gray.
How to Donate: click here
Organization: Locks of Love
Hair is used to: provide hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.
Donation Guidelines:
- Hair that is colored or permed is acceptable.
- Hair cut years ago is usable if it has been stored in a ponytail or braid.
- Hair that has been bleached (usually this refers to highlighted hair) is not usable.
- Hair that is swept off of the floor is not usable because it is not bundled in a ponytail or braid.
- Hair that is shaved off and not in a ponytail or braid is not usable. If shaving your head, first divide hair into multiple ponytails to cut off.
- We cannot accept dreadlocks. Our manufacturer is not able to use them in our children’s hairpieces. We also cannot accept wigs, falls, hair extensions or synthetic hair.
- Layered hair is acceptable if the longest layer is 10 inches.
- Layered hair may be divided into multiple ponytails.
- Curly hair may be pulled straight to measure the minimum 10 inches.
- 10 inches measured tip to tip is the minimum length needed for a hairpiece.
How to Donate: click here
Organization: Hugs U Wear, by the Childhood Leukemia Foundation
Hair is used to: provide wigs for children who have lost their hair due to leukemia treatment
Donation Guidelines:
- At least 12" in length (curly hair can be pulled straight to measure 12")
- Chemically untreated from permanents or hair dye.
- Do not accept gray hair (not suitable for children)
How to Donate: click here
Organization: Children with Hair Loss
Hair is used to: make wigs for children experiencing medically related hair loss.
Donation Guidelines:
- Hair should be at least 8 inches in length or longer is preferred.
- Hair must be clean pony-tailed and braided (this keeps the hair in one direction).
- Place rubber band or pony tail holder on each end.
- Non-chemically treated hair is preferred (but any hair in good condition will be accepted).
- Gray hair is accepted.
How to Donate: click here
Organization: Wigs for Kids
Hair is used to: make wigs for children experiencing medically related hair loss.
Donation Guidelines:
- Hair must be clean and dry. (Hair that has been cut and saved is suitable for donations.)
- Minimum length of hair donation is 12+ inches. (Pull curly hair straight to measure.)
- Donations MUST be braided or TIGHTLY BOUND in ponytails and secured with rubberbands one at each end of the tail AND in the middle; placed in a plastic bag, and then sealed in a mailing envelope. This is critical. Hair that is loose or not tightly secured will be unusable as it comes apart through the mailing process.
- Gray hair is acceptable.
- We cannot accept hair that has been chemically processed, no perms, colors or highlighting.
- We are not able to accept dreadlocks, as it is not feasible to hand sew them into our custom-made hairpieces.
How to Donate: click here
Organization: Pink Heart Funds
Hair is used to: provide free wigs for kids and adults who suffer from medical hair loss due to illness or cancer treatment..
Donation Guidelines:
- We are happy to receive ponytails from 8" on up, however most of our recipients ask for longer lengths so please save up your inches if you can.
- The only type of hair not accepted is over processed bleached hair; all other types of hair are accepted. Any color hair is accepted; gray hair, hi-lighted, chemically dyed, relaxed and permanently waved.
- Hair must be (mostly) all one length.
- All ethnic types are accepted.
How to Donate: click here.
Have you ever donated your hair? Which organization did you use? And please, show off some before and after photos!
