How to Donate Hair: Step-by-Step Guide, Requirements, and Trusted Organizations
Learn how to donate hair - from minimum length requirements and best charities, to packaging and tracking your donation.
How to Donate Hair: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
Donating hair can make a lasting difference in the lives of those dealing with medical hair loss conditions, including cancer, alopecia, and burns. If you’re thinking about making this meaningful gesture, it’s essential to know more than just how to cut your hair. This guide walks you through every step—from understanding the requirements, choosing the best charity, preparing your hair, packaging correctly, and even tracking your donation’s impact.
Meet the Expert
Suzanne Chimera, cofounder of Hair We Share, lends expertise to this guide. Her organization creates and donates custom-fitted wigs to adults and children experiencing medical hair loss, offering unique insights into the donation process and its impact.
Why Donate Hair—and Who Benefits?
Hair donations are used to create wigs for those experiencing medical hair loss due to conditions like chemotherapy, alopecia, burns, and even Covid-19-related symptoms. Your contribution supports children, adults, and families facing physical and emotional challenges. Each organization has a unique mission—some offer wigs for free, others include prosthetics, and some focus on supporting specific ages or communities.
Minimum Hair Length Requirements for Donation
The minimum length for hair donation can vary between organizations but generally falls between 8 and 12 inches;
some accept as little as 7 inches for select programs. It’s essential to check specific requirements before you begin prepping your hair.
| Organization | Minimum Hair Length | Recipient Group |
|---|---|---|
| Hair We Share | 8-12 inches | Adults & Children (Any Medical Hair Loss) |
| Locks of Love | 10-12 inches | Children & Young Adults (≤21, Medical Hair Loss) |
| Wigs for Kids | 10-12 inches | Children (Medical Causes) |
| Children With Hair Loss | 8 inches | Children & Young Adults (Medical Hair Loss) |
| Little Princess Trust (UK) | 7 inches | Children (Medical Hair Loss) |
Some programs also accept shorter hair or hair trimmings for environmental initiatives (such as cleaning oil spills), so if you don’t meet the length requirement for wigs, you may still contribute.
Where to Donate: Trusted Hair Donation Charities
Each organization serves a different community and has specific guidelines. Notable nonprofits include:
- Hair We Share: Provides custom wigs free to both adults and children, addressing every kind of medical hair loss.
- Locks of Love: Donates hairpieces and prosthetics for disadvantaged children and young people aged 21 or younger.
- Wigs for Kids: Focuses on children dealing with medical conditions such as chemotherapy, radiation, alopecia, trichotillomania, and burns.
- Children With Hair Loss: Offers free human hair replacements to children and young adults coping with medical hair loss.
- Little Princess Trust (UK): Creates wigs for children in Britain; accepts donations globally.
- Sustainable Salons: Accepts both longer ponytails (for wigs) and short hair trimmings, recycling hair to help reduce environmental harm.
How to Prepare and Donate Your Hair: Step-by-Step
- Measure Your Hair
Use a ruler or measuring tape to check the length from where you intend to cut to the point where your ends begin to thin out. Pull curly hair straight to measure accurately. Trim split ends before making final measurements. - Wash and Dry Thoroughly
Your hair must be clean of all product, oils, and buildup. Allow it to air-dry fully—wet hair can grow mold inside packaging and will not be accepted. Organizations often prefer that curly, wavy, or textured hair is left in its natural state rather than straightened. - Section and Secure into Ponytails
Divide the hair into several ponytails, sectioning based on layers if your hair varies in length. Secure each with elastics—they should be tight so that hair stays bound together after cutting. Many organizations prefer ponytails; check if braids are permitted. - Cut Above the Elastic
Snip the hair just above the elastic band. Remember—whatever is below the band will be sent for donation, so measure and tie accordingly. It’s best to have a professional stylist perform the cut for precision. - Package Neatly
Place each ponytail (still tied) into a sealed plastic bag. Write your name and any required details on a slip, and enclose with your hair. Then, insert everything into a padded envelope to prevent damage. - Complete Required Forms and Send
Many organizations have online forms for donations. Fill them out as directed, and mail your package to the addresses provided on the official website of your selected charity. - Track Your Donation
Some programs offer donor updates if you make an additional monetary contribution. For example, Hair We Share provides ponytail tracking for donors who also gift $145 towards wig production—letting you follow the journey of your hair from start to finished wig.
What others are reading
Additional Tips for a Successful Hair Donation
- Double-Check All Requirements: Every charity has its own guidelines for length, color, condition, and whether dyed or treated hair is acceptable.
- Healthy Hair is Preferred: Donated hair should be free of split ends, mold, excessive processing, and heavy dye treatments, unless otherwise allowed.
- Consider Your Hair Type: Some organizations accept gray hair, curly, or textured hair, while others have restrictions. Check before donating.
- Monetary Donations Enhance Impact: Wig manufacturing costs often exceed the value of donated hair. Financial support helps charities turn your ponytail into a wearable wig for recipients.
- Donating Short Hair?: If your hair is shorter than the minimum length, consider donating clippings for environmental projects (like oil spill cleanups).
- Professional Salons: Many salons partner with nonprofit charities and can guide you through the correct cutting and packaging process.
How Donated Hair is Used: Beyond Wigs
While wigs are the primary goal, donated hair can serve other purposes:
- Hair Prosthetics: Used for youth and adults who need advanced replacements due to medical or trauma-related hair loss.
- Environmental Cleanup: Organizations like Sustainable Salons use short hair clippings to create ‘hair booms’—devices engineered to absorb chemicals or oil from spills, protecting ecosystems.
Making The Biggest Impact
Your generosity doesn’t stop at hair. Organizations face operating costs such as wig manufacturing, distribution, and outreach; monetary support is often critical. Running a fundraising campaign or adding a donation alongside your hair maximizes the benefit for recipients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the minimum length of hair needed to donate?
Most organizations require 8 to 12 inches for wig donations. Check specific charity websites for updated requirements.
Can I donate dyed or chemically treated hair?
Some charities accept treated or colored hair, while others do not. Always verify the guidelines before you proceed.
Is it possible to donate hair if it’s gray or very curly?
Yes, many organizations accept gray and curly hair. The primary focus is on healthy hair that meets length and condition requirements.
How do I track my hair donation?
Programs like Hair We Share offer donation tracking if you also make a monetary contribution—keeping you updated on the progress from ponytail to completed wig.
What should I do if my hair isn’t long enough for donation?
Consider donating short clippings for environmental initiatives or growing your hair out further to meet future donation requirements.
Does it cost anything to donate hair?
The act of donating hair is free, but charities appreciate financial support to help process, manufacture, and distribute wigs effectively.
Important Organization Contacts & Resources
- Visit charity websites for mailing instructions and updated requirements:
- Hair We Share
- Locks of Love
- Wigs for Kids
- Children With Hair Loss
- Sustainable Salons
Ready to Donate? The Final Checklist
- Measure your hair accurately for minimum length.
- Wash and fully dry your hair—no products, no dampness.
- Section hair into several ponytails or braids and secure with elastics.
- Cut above the elastic, and package the hair neatly.
- Fill out all required forms for your chosen organization.
- Consider a monetary donation for processing costs.
- Mail your hair to the correct charity address.
- Track your impact if available.
Conclusion: Make Your Hair Donation Count
Donating hair is a generous act that helps thousands confront the emotional and physical toll of medical hair loss. With careful planning, accurate measurement, and delivery through reputable organizations, you can be sure your contribution truly makes a difference. Always follow guidelines, opt for healthy hair, and consider supporting charities financially. Together, these steps help transform a simple haircut into hope and confidence for someone in need.
References
- https://www.mygreentrends.in/our-cause-shair/
- https://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/blog/how-to-donate-hair
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a39509000/how-to-donate-hair/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/hair/a12257422/donate-hair-charity/
- https://www.wigsforkids.org/donate-your-hair/
- https://www.bryancountynews.com/lifestyle/trending/walmart-is-pulling-cosmopolitan-magazine-from-its-checkout-counters-heres-why/
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