Donating hair to cancer patients is a simple way to help those battling the disease.By donating your hair, you can provide someone with a wig that will make them feel more confident and comfortable during treatment.

Read on for instructions on how to donate your hair to cancer patients.

Find a reputable hair donation organization:

When it comes to hair donation, there are several different organizations to choose from. While most share the common goal of providing hair replacements to those in need, each place serves a slightly different purpose and has its process for donation. As such, it’s important to take the time to find an organization that best aligns with your values.

To get you started, here are a few nonprofits to consider:

Locks of Love:

Locks of Love is dedicated to providing hair replacements to children suffering from medical hair loss. They accept donations of 10 inches or longer and require that the hair is in good condition, free of chemicals and styling products.

Wigs for Kids:

They also provides hair replacements for needy children and accepts donations from adults. In addition to hair, they also accept monetary donations, which help them cover the cost of manufacturing the wigs.

Pantene Beautiful Lengths:

Pantene Beautiful Lengths is focused on providing hair replacements to women undergoing cancer treatment. They accept donations of 8 inches or longer and require that the hair be free of bleach, perm chemicals, and styling products.

Look Good Feel Better :

The American Cancer Society also provides wigs for women undergoing cancer treatment, but they take a different approach by partnering with local wig salons. This program is called Look Good Feel Better, and it offers free wig consultations and styling services to women undergoing cancer treatment.

When choosing an organization to donate your hair to, be sure to research the organization thoroughly to make sure it is reputable, and its values align with your own.

Understand the types of hair donations

There are two types of hair donations: ponytails and plugs. Ponytails can be cut into several small ponytails, or thick locks of hair, while plugs are made up of several strands of hair that have been twisted together.

Before donating your hair, it is important to understand the types of donations accepted by cancer patients. Organizations like Locks of Love accept only ponytails that are 10 inches or longer.

However, most cancer patients only require a few strands of hair, so it’s important to do your research before cutting off locks of hair that may not be usable.

Prepare your hair for donation:

Once you’ve selected an organization to donate to, it’s time to get your hair ready for the cut. Depending on the organization, there may be specific requirements for hair preparation. For example, Locks of Love requires that hair be clean and dry, free of chemicals and styling products, and pulled into a ponytail or braid before cutting.

To avoid caution, we recommend washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any buildup from styling products. If your hair is coloured, you may want to wait a week or two after your last treatment to allow the colour to fade before cutting. This will help minimize any damage that may occur during the colouring process.

How to donate your hair?

1. Measure your hair

Before you can donate your hair, you need to make sure that it is the right length. To do this, measure the hair from the bottom of the ponytail holder to the tip of your hair. You can donate it if it is at least 12 inches long.

If your hair is shorter than 12 inches, you can still cut off and donate your locks, but they will need to be bundled together and sent in as a single donation package.

2. Wash and dry your hair

Before you donate your hair, it is important to ensure that it is clean and free of styling products. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and let it air dry.

Do not use conditioners, gels, or other styling products, as these can weigh down the hair and make it more difficult to donate.

This will ensure that the quality of the donated hair is high and that the wig created from it will be comfortable for the recipient to wear.

3. Cut your hair

Once your hair is clean and dry, you are ready to cut it. If you are cutting your hair, use sharp scissors and cut straight across. Having a friend or family member help you with this step is also a good idea, as it can be difficult to cut your hair evenly.

If you donate to an organization like Locks of Love, you will need to cut your hair into at least 10 inches long ponytails. Be sure to measure the ponytails before cutting them off, as they must be the exact length specified by the organization.

4. Package your hair

Once you have cut off your hair, it is time to package it up for donation. If you donate to an organization like Locks of Love, they will provide you with a mailing envelope and instructions on how to package the hair.

If you send your hair in as a single donation, tie it off in a ponytail or braid before mailing it. This will help keep the hair together and make it easier for the organization to use.

5. Mail your hair

Once your hair is packaged up, you are ready to mail it off to the organization you have chosen. Include any information the organization has requested, such as your name and address.

Most organizations will provide you with a mailing label, but if not, be sure to include the correct address. It is also a good idea to get tracking for your package so you can be sure that it arrives safely.

Conclusion:

Donating your hair is a great way to help cancer patients. It is important to ensure that your hair is the right length and quality before cutting it off, as some organizations have specific requirements. Be sure to wash and dry your hair before cutting it, and use sharp scissors to avoid damaging the strands. Once you have cut your hair, package it and send it to the chosen organization. Tracking your package is a good way to ensure that it arrives safely.