Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefits of DonationWhat Hair Can Be Donated?Hair That’s Not AcceptedOrganizations That Accept HairHow Hair Is Turned Into a Wig
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits of Donation
What Hair Can Be Donated?
Hair That’s Not Accepted
Organizations That Accept Hair
How Hair Is Turned Into a Wig
Several organizations collect donated hair and arrange for it to be made intowigsfor children or adults who lose their hair during cancer treatment or due to other illnesses. Different organizations have different guidelines for accepting hair, so it’s a good idea to know what criteria you need to meet before cutting your hair for donation.
This article explains why you might consider donating your hair, how the hair is used, and what you need to know about the agencies that collect hair to be used to help people dealing with hair loss.
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Why Donate Your Hair?
Not everyone who undergoes these treatments loses their hair. When it does happen, though, the hair begins to thin one to four weeks after the first chemo session or within four weeks of radiation.This can be very stressful. If a person is already feeling weak, ill, and scared, seeing a radical change in their looks can cause more worry and despair. Those feelings can rob an individual of strength and hope just when they need both to get well.
Other conditions that result in hair loss include:
If you’re interested in donating your hair, it’s important to contact the organization(s) you are considering to find out about specific donation requirements.
These vary, but the following are some common hair donation guidelines:
Check ahead, as some organizations can recommend a salon that will offer a discounted cut for those who are donating hair.
How to Pack Hair for ShippingHair donations should be washed, dried, tied neatly into a ponytail, and placed in a sealed plastic bag before shipping.
How to Pack Hair for Shipping
Hair donations should be washed, dried, tied neatly into a ponytail, and placed in a sealed plastic bag before shipping.
What Hair Is Usually Not Accepted?
The majority of hair donation organizations do not accept hair that has been:
Will Insurance Pay for a Wig?
Organizations That Accept Donated Hair
A wide variety of organizations have sprung up to help people with hair loss have access to wigs if they want them. When donating to any charity, make an effort to select a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit.
Locks of Love
Locks of Loveprovides hair replacement for children who have suffered from medically related hair loss. They accept hair that’s at least 10 inches long in a braid or ponytail. They doaccept gray hair, which is sold to help defray their costs, as well as hair that’s been permed and hair that is colored (but not bleached).
Pantene Beautiful Lengths
Children With Hair Loss
Children With Hair Lossalso provides hair replacement for all children with medical hair loss and requires only 8 inches of hair. Gray hair is accepted, and they prefer non-chemically treated hair.
Wigs for Kids
Wigs for Kidsprovides wigs for kids who are living with cancer as well as those who are suffering from alopecia areata. They require 12 inches of hair but recommend that you have 14 inches to spare.
Chai Lifeline
ChaiLifelinerequires 14 inches of hair and provides wigs to children with cancer.
Hair We Share
HairWeShareprovides wigs for people who have medical conditions that cause hair loss. This includes cancer and burns. They require only 8 inches of hair and accept hair that has been dyed (but not highlighted).
Creating a wig with human hair takes about 20 donated ponytails. Thus, many people need to donate. Multiple ponytails are sewn together and tied into a cap that’s specially measured to fit on a person’s head. The hair can then be colored, cut, permed, and otherwise styled. The result is a wig that’s unique and personal.
People with hair loss can also choose a wig made with synthetic (non-human) hair. These are less expensive, but they don’t look and feel as natural as human hair wigs. It’s also easier to style real hair in different ways.
Summary
By donating your hair, you can help people who are dealing with cancer or other medical conditions feel stronger and better able to focus on their health. To have your hair donation turned into a high-quality wig for those with hair loss, contact one of the organizations that specialize in this mission.
Usually, these groups require your hair to be at least 8 inches long, but some only accept hair that is 10 inches or longer. There may also be restrictions on accepting hair that has been dyed or permed. Check with the specific organization for detailed requirements.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Watanabe T, Yagata H, Saito M, et al.A multicenter survey of temporal changes in chemotherapy-induced hair loss in breast cancer patients.PLoS ONE.2019;14(1):e0208118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208118Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Hair Loss and Your Cancer Treatment.Additional ReadingNational Cancer Institute.Hair loss (alopecia). Updated 2017.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Watanabe T, Yagata H, Saito M, et al.A multicenter survey of temporal changes in chemotherapy-induced hair loss in breast cancer patients.PLoS ONE.2019;14(1):e0208118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208118Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Hair Loss and Your Cancer Treatment.Additional ReadingNational Cancer Institute.Hair loss (alopecia). Updated 2017.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Watanabe T, Yagata H, Saito M, et al.A multicenter survey of temporal changes in chemotherapy-induced hair loss in breast cancer patients.PLoS ONE.2019;14(1):e0208118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208118Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Hair Loss and Your Cancer Treatment.
Watanabe T, Yagata H, Saito M, et al.A multicenter survey of temporal changes in chemotherapy-induced hair loss in breast cancer patients.PLoS ONE.2019;14(1):e0208118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208118
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Hair Loss and Your Cancer Treatment.
National Cancer Institute.Hair loss (alopecia). Updated 2017.
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