Hair how long to donate

But there are amazing organizations out there that work to help those individuals, like Wigs for Kids , which provides wigs to children who are going through radiation therapy or who have alopecia , trichotillomania, burns, and other medical issues, at no cost to the children or their families.

Donating your hair is a simple way to make a huge difference in someone else's life, and all it takes is a little bit of research and the right haircut. To understand the mission behind hair donation services, we talked to Jeffery Paul of Wigs for Kids. Ahead, we share what you need to know before donating your hair. Meet the Expert. Jeffrey Paul is a hair and scalp specialist and the founder of Wigs for Kids. If you're yearning for a hair breakthrough and considering cutting your strands, you could change a child's or adult's life with your big chop.

Hair loss, whether its the result of significant health challenge or non-life-threatening causes, can severely impact self-esteem, yet store-bought wigs that look like the real deal are expensive. In short, your hair will grow back, but the knowledge that you helped someone will live on forever. Whether you're cutting your hair yourself or at the salon, below is exactly how to donate hair to Wigs for Kids or another charity no matter your natural hair texture:.

Below are the most common stipulations for hair donations:. Though the overall process is very similar from organization to organization, the specifics, such as how long your hair must be in order to qualify, may differ.

Check the individual organization's websites to be sure you're complying with their rules. Don't feel left out if you can't personally donate your locks. Maybe your hair doesn't get quite long enough or you dye it or process it too regularly, but you can still help. Donating money directly to these organizations is a great way to get involved. You can also take on a volunteer role for a more hands-on approach with the organization of your choice.

Choose where to send your hair. What are the medical requirements for receiving a wig? Are the wigs free to recipients? How are the wigs made for each recipient? Read the hair donation requirements carefully. Make sure that you and your hairstylist follow the donation cut instructions. Before you head to the salon, make sure to: Wash and dry your hair. Find an organization in your country that matches your passions, maybe a charity that provides wigs to children, or to people in your community.

How long does my hair need to be? Donated hair needs to be a minimum length when straightened, usually from 8 to 14 inches about 21 to 36 centimeters. Find out what the chosen organization requires. Are there types of hair I can't donate? All other hair is allowed. What should I bring to my haircut? Give the organization's guidelines to your stylist to follow. Bring a ruler to make sure the hair meets the minimum length requirement. How do I send my hair?

Each organization will have its own mailing address and guidelines for you to follow when sending your hair. The natural hair wigs are carefully designed to mimic each child's own hair and stay comfortably in place during sports or playground activities. I've always had it cut at a salon, but you can attend special hair donation events or even do it yourself at home. For your hair to be accepted by the organization, ponytails need to be a minimum length of 12 to 14 inches long.

Visit the Wigs for Kids website to grab details on where to send your shorn-off ponytail or braid. Locks of Love understands how detrimental hair loss can be to self-confidence.

Since , it's been tailoring hair donations and fashioning wigs, especially for disadvantaged children. Locks of Love make the hair donation process pretty straightforward, with specific instructions listed on its website. A word of caution: "If you're donating your hair, it can't be chemically treated or bleached.

I couldn't find any organization that would accept my chemically-treated hair," Timmerman said. Donated hair can be colored or permed when sent to Locks of Love, but always double-check the requirements. Did you know that in the U. And it's not just cancer treatment that can make hair fall out. Nearly 7 million Americans have been diagnosed with the autoimmune disease alopecia areata , which can cause permanent hair loss.

Hair We Share designs customized human-hair wigs and donates them to people struggling with hair loss who have a financial need. Ponytails must be packaged in a plastic bag to be accepted. As a bonus, the organization accepts gray hair, making it an excellent solution for anyone sporting a bit of silver. After learning her 3-year-old niece had Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia, Regina Villemure a hair replacement system specialist started Children With Hair Loss. The nonprofit has grown, and Villemure's niece is now a survivor of more than 30 years.

CWH is also one of the few organizations that accept less lengthy hair donations of 8 to 10 inches. If you've been taking care of your hair's wellness and nourishing your body with biotin gummies , your tresses could be looking long, strong and ready for donation. Curious how the process works and where to send your hair? Timmerman told us, "The salon stylist will section your hair out 2 to 6 times and put a rubber band just below where you want to cut it. Once the ponytail is gone, they'll cut and style you a new 'do.

Matter of Trust is a different kind of hair donation organization that's intent on improving the environment. It collects clippings from groomers, salons and individuals and felts the natural fibers into mats that can be used to soak up petrochemical pollutants and oil spills from waterways. If you're looking for new ways to put your waste to work, donating to Matter of Trust will give you some serious feel-good vibes. The easily moldable hair mats prevent soil erosion, help wild habitats and keep storm drains free from debris.

Who knew old hair could give the environment a boost? To donate to Matter of Trust, sign up via their Hum Sum platform. Did you know that it can take ponytail donations to make just one wig? Even so, Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids never turns away a child in need.

The Michigan-based nonprofit is powered by compassion and covers wig costs that an insurance company won't. This program assists children experiencing hair loss due to alopecia, trichotillomania, cancer treatments and more. Check out the Wigs 4 Kids website for some heart-melting success stories and details on how to donate.