Donating your hair is an incredible act of kindness that can bring joy and support to those in need. With numerous organizations dedicated to collecting hair donations, it can be challenging to determine the best place to direct your support. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the top three organizations that make a significant impact with hair donations:
1. Locks of Love (LOL)
Target Audience: Children and adults with long-term medical hair loss, including alopecia areata, cancer treatment, and burns.
Hair Requirements:
- Minimum 10 inches of natural hair
- Clean, dry, and free of chemicals
Mission: LOL provides custom-fitted hair prosthetics free of charge to financially disadvantaged children and adults. Their goal is to restore dignity and self-confidence to those who have lost their hair due to medical conditions.
2. Pantene Beautiful Lengths
Target Audience: Women and children with cancer
Hair Requirements:
- Minimum 8 inches of natural, unprocessed hair
- Healthy and in good condition
Mission: Pantene Beautiful Lengths partners with the American Cancer Society to provide free, real-hair wigs to cancer patients. By donating your hair, you help bring a smile to those who have lost their hair during treatment.
3. Children with Hair Loss (CWHL)
Target Audience: Children under the age of 21 with hair loss due to cancer, alopecia, or other medical conditions
Hair Requirements:
- Minimum 8 inches of any type of hair (natural, dyed, permed)
- Clean and dry
Mission: CWHL provides free, customized wigs and hairpieces to children who have lost their hair. They believe that every child deserves to feel confident and happy, regardless of their medical condition.
- Type of Hair Loss: Make sure the organization you choose accepts the type of hair loss you have.
- Hair Length and Quality: Ensure that your hair meets the minimum length and quality requirements set by the organization.
- Time Commitment: Consider the time involved in growing your hair to the required length.
- Financial Impact: While most organizations provide wigs at no cost, there may be additional expenses such as shipping or processing fees.
- Emotional Impact: Donating your hair can be an emotional experience. Make sure you are mentally prepared to make the donation.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
- Do not use any styling products or heat treatments.
- Let your hair air dry naturally.
- Tie your hair into a loose ponytail or braid.
- Cut your hair clean at the base of the ponytail or braid.
1. Is it better to cut my hair before or after I donate it?
It’s best to cut your hair before donating it to ensure that it meets the organization’s length and quality requirements.
2. Can I donate bleached or dyed hair?
It depends on the organization’s policies. Some organizations accept bleached or dyed hair, while others may only accept natural hair.
3. How long will it take for my hair to grow back?
The average hair growth rate is about half an inch per month. So, if you donate 10 inches of hair, it will take approximately 20 months for it to grow back.
Donating your hair is a wonderful way to make a difference in the lives of those who have lost their own. By choosing one of the top-rated organizations highlighted in this article, you can ensure that your donation will be put to the best possible use. Remember to consider the factors mentioned above and prepare your hair accordingly to maximize the impact of your donation.