I’ve always had long hair, and have grown it out to donate since I was a little girl. Just last week, I chopped off over 12 inches of hair to donate – the fifth time I’ve done so. I’ve learned quite a bit about hair donation and foundations which support individuals with hair loss over the years. Here’s what you need to know before donating.

1. Why donate?

Cutting off so much hair and just throwing it away can be wasteful, especially to those with hair loss. Donating provides wigs to people suffering from events and illnesses that cause hair loss – Alopecia, Trichotillomania, chemotherapy, radiation, burns, and others. This hair loss can result in a loss of self-confidence and self-esteem, which is just an added stress when dealing with health-related problems. Donating hair when you get a lengthier haircut is a great way to put the excess to use and help others!

2. Who can donate?

Anyone can donate! Your hair type or color does not matter for this process; all types are welcome. However, you’ll have to be careful about hair that has been dyed or bleached – some organizations do not accept treated hair.

3. How long does it have to be?

This varies by place. Generally, places will ask for hair that is at least 8-12 inches long, but this is not the rule. Make sure you look into where you’d like to donate and see their stipulations on hair length!

4. Who can cut it?

Anyone! You can either get your hair cut by a professional and ask that they ponytail it before they cut it and take it home to send yourself, or some locations will send the hair for you. Just remember to ask if they do, and where they send it!

5. Where to send it?

There’s quite a number of places that create wigs for people with hair loss. Take a look at the following list and see what foundation works best for you!

A Child’s Choice Foundation

A Child’s Choice Foundation’s Angel Hair for Kids program provides wigs and hair loss solutions to children in low-income families in Canada. Each recipient is given a personal appointment at a salon (or, the professional at the salon will visit the recipient) and specially fitted with a wig and given all necessary tools to take care of it.

Hair length: minimum 12 inches
Hair stipulations: Must be in a ponytail or braid and fully dry
Can hair be colored?: No treated, colored, bleached, dyed, or permed hair can be donated
Does the recipient have to pay?: No, wigs are donated

Read testimonies from recipients of A Child's Choice Foundation here.

Donate to A Child's Choice Foundation here.

Find them @AngelHairForKids on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Children with Hair Loss

Children with Hair Loss aims to empower children who are experiencing hair loss due to medical issues. Their goal is to help as many children as possible to give them the self-confidence to continue to “face the world with renewed self esteem.” They provide wigs to these children free of charge.

Hair length: minimum 8 inches
Hair stipulations: must be clean and dry, ponytailed, or braided
Can hair be colored?: As long as hair is in good condition
Does the recipient have to pay?: No, wigs are donated

Donate to Children with Hair Loss here.

Find them @CWHL_org on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Pantene Beautiful Lengths provides real-hair wigs to women with hair loss due to cancer. They never charge the woman for the wig she receives.

Hair length: minimum 8 inches
Hair stipulations: must be clean and dry, ponytailed, or braided
Can hair be colored?: No dyes, bleaches, or chemicals, and no more than 5% grey
Does the recipient have to pay?: No, wigs are donated

Read testimonies from recipients of Pantene Beautiful Lengths here.

To donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, click here.

Find them @Pantene or with #8or8 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Wigs for Kids

Wigs for Kids is an effort among Certified Cosmetic Therapists across North America who all share in a common passion for helping kids to not be uncomfortable with their appearance during a health crisis. They want to give kids the opportunity to feel like themselves again. Wigs for Kids never charges the families for their wigs, either.

Hair length: minimum 12 inches
Hair stipulations: Hair must be in a ponytail or braid, and must be clean and dried
Can hair be colored?: No dyes, bleaches, or chemicals
Does the recipient have to pay?: No, wigs are donated

Read testimonies from recipients of Wigs for Kids here.

To donate to Wigs for Kids, click here.

Find them @wigsforkids on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Wigs 4 Kids

Wigs 4 Kids provides wigs and all tools to take care of them to children and teens in the state of Michigan to help kids feel good about themselves. They also provide support services such as classes, social activities, field trips, and counseling to children and their families at no cost.

Hair length: minimum 10 inches
Hair stipulations: Must be in a ponytail or braid, clean and fully dried
Can hair be colored?: No chemically treated or colored hair
Does the recipient have to pay?: No, wigs and services are donated

Read testimonies from recipients of Wigs 4 Kids here.

To Donate to Wigs 4 Kids here.

Find them @wigs4kids on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube, and Pinterest.

--

Sidenote: You will notice that I did not include Locks of Love on this list. Locks of Love has been subject to quite the controversy in the nonprofit world – not only do they charge their recipients (who already have medical bills to worry about), but they have millions of dollars’ worth of unused hair which could be made into wigs but is unaccounted for. To read more about this investigation, click here.