Donating My Hair

Updated on November 27, 2007
A.B. asks from Elm Creek, NE
14 answers

I am getting ready to cut all my hair off!! I am a person that likes to have short hair, but for the past 2 years I have been growing my hair out for my hubby. But now I can't stand it. But I thought that it would be better to donate it rather than just throw it away. But I have short layers that are not the 8 inch length. So can I still donate?

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C.H.

answers from Grand Rapids on

My daughter donated her hair to "children without hair" or "children with hairloss." (I can't remember which right now. What I liked about it is that the children can have more than one wig as they grow. It is my understanding that locks of love only allows one wig. That's what the stylist told me anyway. She got a certificate and you don't have to have as much length. My daughter got her cut and donated her hair through Fantastic Sams salon. I think she only had 6-8 inches.

Good luck!

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H.J.

answers from Pocatello on

You can call Cherz in Idaho Falls-they do the locks of love every year so I'm sure they know:)
H.

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S.F.

answers from Waterloo on

There was just a story recently on the news about locks of love. I believe that they need 10 inches of hair to make the donation. But if they receive hair that is not long enough, they can sell it and use the money for their organization. Also, they said to make sure the hair is dry or it will likely mold before it gets to them and they will have to throw it away. also make sure the hair is in a rubber band or hair tie. On TV they braided the donation lock of hair. One last thing. On tv, they showed a person who got their hair cut not in one large clump, but they cut the hair in sections, like to make layers so they could get the 10 inches needed to donate.

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R.W.

answers from Jackson on

It's BEST to have at minimum 12inches to donate as some of the length will be lost during processing

And if I can suggest that you research which group you want to donate your hair to?

I donated my 14inches to wigsforkids.com because they make wigs for any child who has hair loss for any reason including cancer. Whereas Locks of love only makes wigs for kids with permanent hair loss due to alopecia and LoL sells more hair on the hair market than they use in their wigs.

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C.L.

answers from Saginaw on

Find out how much the charge is for the child/adult who gets your hair. I have heard Locks of love charges HUGE amounts for people to get the wigs of DONATED hair. I can understand some small fee for making it into a wig ...but what I have heard pricewise was really ridiculous-and to profit from someones need like that-dispicable.
C.

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S.P.

answers from Green Bay on

I am a hairstylist and you are able to donate your hair as long as your longest layer is 10 inches you will be fine. I always figure about 12 inches by the time you cut the pony off to be safe for the correct length. It is wonderful that you are going to do this and it is very important. I have sent hair that was right at 10 inches and they did except it but to be safe I would do about 2 inches more.

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M.M.

answers from Green Bay on

i saw somethng on rachel ray that pantene has a program like locks of love but the minimum donation is 8 in. the hair that is donated that isn't used to make these special wigs is sold and they use the money to fund the organization so win-win.

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W.D.

answers from Lincoln on

Yes you can still donate your hair. Go the the Locks Of Love website to print off a donation form and to get the mailing address. It will give you the specifics of how the hair has to be prepared and shipped. The short layers of hair will be seperated out by them and sold. They use that money towards makeing the wigs. SO DONATE!! Thats awesome! I cut off my hair (10 inches) in May to donate too...and i'm loving my short hair again!

W.
www.ubah.com/P2249

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D.G.

answers from Fargo on

lock of love takes donated hair and makes wigs for disadvantaged kids who have lost their hair due to cancer or other diseases....check out their website....both my daughter and (believe it or not!) my teenage grandson have donated their hair there....i particularly like the before and after photos on their site!

http://locksoflove.org/

D.

from their website:

WHAT IS LOCKS OF LOVE?

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.

re selling donated hair mentioned in an earlier post:

Shorter hair will be separated from the ponytails and sold to offset the manufacturing costs. Although the shorter hair cannot be used in the hairpieces, it still greatly helps to reduce costs.

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A.H.

answers from Boise on

I am 48 - long to medium hair my entire life. I cut it off about 8 months ago. Why did I wait so long, (men get a clue). Your hair is yours and it does make a difference to your lifestyle, your free time, even your mental health. While I admire your desire to donate your hair... with 3 kids what are you waiting for? Cut your hair when you want. You can always donate money or time (you will have 20+ more minutes a day) to a charity of choice. I would also like to note that my daughter wanted to donate her hair when she cut it - she had 7 inches but the stylist told us it was not long enough. I wish I had known that it could still have been used to generate money for the program.

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R.J.

answers from Omaha on

Hi A.,
My daughter has long hair that is past her bra line in the back. Her intention is to donate it to Locks of Love. It is her understanding that they will cut off 10" for the donation and they like to have at least 3" left over on your head to clean up your haircut. So she is waiting until she has 13" to spare.

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T.H.

answers from Milwaukee on

Hi, I just recently cut off my hair too and they told me that it has to be 10" long. And I was 2" too short, so I couldn't donate my hair. I did have some layers in it but it was long. They put your hair in a ponytail when they cut it off and if it isn't 10" theyn you can't donate it.

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A.O.

answers from Milwaukee on

Locks of love needs 10 inches of hair, but they will take less. Their website says that they will sell shorter locks but prefer the longer ones. I recently donated 24 inches and my hair is still to my shoulders. It was a shock. but fun to teach my girls. Type in locks for love in your search engine. It will give you any info that you need.

Good Luck
A.

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P.G.

answers from Salt Lake City on

You might want to check with the hair salons in your area. My girls and I have grown out our hair, then gone to get it cut for "locks of love." This is a program that takes donated hair and fixes it up in wigs or falls for those with cancer and other health issues that lose their hair because of medications. This is a wonderful thing to do. When I went in last time the beautican put my hair in a ponytail and cut off what I requested. Most of the time they like at least 10-12 inches and I think they like it all one length. If you have that much to cut off you're in business. You might want to ask, but sometimes the salons give a free haircut if you donate your hair. It'll make you happy to know that someone else can use what you don't want. Good Luck!

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