Donating Hair for Charity

[snarlingcoyote]

I've been growing my hair out for 3.5 years or so, with occasional mis-steps on haircuts.

It's at about 11 inches, give or take, and I'm going to cut it off and donate it some time in the next 3 or 4 months, I think. Wigs for Kids wants 12 inches and Locks of Love wants 10.

Has anyone ever donated hair to either organization? Any preferences or opinions? (Of course, I am asking the Community Board. . .there will be preferences and opinions.).

 

[Buckalew11]

I have a friend who has done Locks of Love and also the one pantene sponsers. I think the hair only needs to be 8" for that one. She prefers pantene's actually.

 

[lsyorke]

My DS21 did locks of love. Got a nice laminated certificate thanking him.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I have donated before. So have my daughters. Call around some salons, most will style your hair free of charge, if you donate. We always do Locks of Love. It's important to get a salon that will actually take the time to send in your hair. We think our daughter's hair was thrown away the last time she "donated".

 

[princess momma]

I did it once. My salon does the cut for free if you donate it. I can't really remember how long it needed to be or the organization it was donated to. It was years ago and I haven't been able to grow it out since. I just can't do long hair anymore.

 

[lsyorke]

I have donated before. So have my daughters. Call around some salons, most will style your hair free of charge, if you donate. We always do Locks of Love. It's important to get a salon that will actually take the time to send in your hair. We think our daughter's hair was thrown away the last time she "donated".

DS had the salon cut his hair, but we sent it in. Very simple to do.

 

[chell]

When I've done this I've sent my to Locks of Love. Last time I did it they didn't send the certificate, just a nice postcard. It was fine with me though. You can have the salon send it in or you can.

 

[Va-bear]

I know this sounds silly but are there any restrictions as to the hair type? My hair is very long and I might want to cut off 12 inches or more, but it is VERY dry - will they even want it? (It is not color treated or really damaged - I dont even ever blow it dry - it is just natually dry). Anyone know about this?
Thanks to all who do this - it means the world to so many.

 

[lizbaby007]

I don't know if hair texture is restricted but I recently went in to get my hair chopped to donate and was turned down because it has been highlighted. I didn't know you couldn't have highlighted hair. Sucks too, cause it would have been between 15-16" if I had cut it to just below my chin.

 

[chell]

I don't know if hair texture is restricted but I recently went in to get my hair chopped to donate and was turned down because it has been highlighted. I didn't know you couldn't have highlighted hair. Sucks too, cause it would have been between 15-16" if I had cut it to just below my chin.

Who did you want to donate to? Was it bleached before it was highlighted? If so, Locks of Love can't take it. But if it doesn't have to be bleached first Locks of Love will take it.

Locks of Love Guidelines

 

[crazee4mickey]

Last year DD who was 10 years old had her hair cut for Locks of Love.

She went to a salon and we tied it into a pony tail just below where it was to be cut, I had her cut almost 12 inches off just to be safe. The hair must be at least 10 inches long and it has to be either in a ponytail or braid so we chose the ponytail! We then carefully placed it in a ziploc bag and sent it by registered mail (because she wanted to know when they received it!).

Very easy to do and she was so proud after---2 or 3 other girls then cut their hair and sent it in as well!

She received a postcard and certificate for donating her hair. Here are a few pictures:

Here also are the guidelines for hair donations from Locks of Love--

GUIDELINES FOR ACCEPTABLE DONATIONS
Hair that is colored or permed is acceptable.
Hair cut years ago is usable if it has been stored in a ponytail or braid.
Hair that has been bleached (usually this refers to highlighted hair) is not usable. If unsure, ask your stylist. We are not able to accept bleached hair due to a chemical reaction that occurs during the manufacturing process. **If the hair was bleached years ago and has completely grown out it is fine to donate.
Hair that is swept off of the floor is not usable because it is not bundled in a ponytail or braid.
Hair that is shaved off and not in a ponytail or braid is not usable. If shaving your head, first divide hair into multiple ponytails to cut off.
We cannot accept dreadlocks. Our manufacturer is not able to use them in our children’s hairpieces. We also cannot accept wigs, falls, hair extensions or synthetic hair.
Layered hair is acceptable if the longest layer is 10 inches.
Layered hair may be divided into multiple ponytails.
Curly hair may be pulled straight to measure the minimum 10 inches.
10 inches measured tip to tip is the minimum length needed for a hairpiece.

Please Note:

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.
Gray hair will be accepted and sold to offset the manufacturing costs.
Colored hair is not usable if it is colored over bleached hair.

 

[lizbaby007]

Who did you want to donate to? Was it bleached before it was highlighted? If so, Locks of Love can't take it. But if it doesn't have to be bleached first Locks of Love will take it.

Locks of Love Guidelines

It has many different lo and hi-lights in it. I'm pretty sure the lightest strands were bleach. I have never fully bleached my hair...just highlights. Here is a pic of the back from a year ago. It has grown some since then but is pretty much the same color...my own dirty blondish brown with diff low/hi lights...

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I did a charity called St. Baldrick's where you collect donations to shave your head, so I went completely bald. I have a lot of hair and it was fairly long, so we also donated the ponytail to Locks of Love- all the girls with long hair did that. It was fairly easy because the organizers of the event took care of everything. I think they chose Locks of Love simply because we are familiar with it (it is not affiliated with St. Baldrick's in any way).

I found all the rules a little intimidating (like separating out lengths/colors) so whatever you choose, I would definitely find a salon that will do it for you.

ETA: My hair was color treated, I've been dying it for years. It was also layered. I had no problems donating it. I didn't get a postcard or certificate, but I'm pretty sure my name and address weren't on it. They submitted all the collected hair at once. Here is what it looked like before donation and then after, in the ponytail (obviously you won't be bald!)

 

[Buckalew11]

Just a FYI. In case anyone wants to donate 8 inches instead. Ann Curry donated hers last year, I believe.

http://www.beautifullengths.com/en_US/about.jsp
Here are the requirements for Pantene's Beautiful lengths:

In order to make the most beautiful, realistic and durable wigs, donated hair must meet the requirements below.
Donated hair must be a minimum of 8 inches long (measure hair from just above the elastic band of the ponytail to the ends).
Wavy/curly hair texture is fine—you may straighten hair to measure.
Hair should be freshly washed and completely dry, without any styling products.
Hair may be colored with vegetable dyes, rinses and semi-permanent dyes. It cannot be bleached, permanently colored or chemically treated.
Hair may not be more than 5 percent gray.
Here's why:
It takes at least six ponytails to make a Pantene Beautiful Lengths wig; in general, each ponytail comes from a different person and is a different color. Even though some hair colors may look similar, including gray hair, each is completely unique.
For a realistic-looking wig that has consistent color throughout, donated ponytails must be processed and then dyed to the same shade. It is critical for each ponytail to absorb dyes at the same rate in order to create wigs of consistent, natural-looking color.
Gray hair, as well as some chemically-treated or permanently-colored hair, does not absorb dye at the same rate as other types of hair. It is much harder to color and, once colored, fades more quickly.
Most permanently-colored hair, once it is processed and re-colored, is too fragile and breakable under the rigorous processing required during the production of a Pantene Beautiful Lengths wig.
In appreciation of the sacrifice that a hair donation requires, Pantene Beautiful Lengths only accepts hair it knows can be used for its intended purposes.


© 2007 Procter & Gamble.

 

[PaulaSue]

My whole family loves LOL. My middle DD is donating this Friday!

I have 2 times, Aunt did 2 times, another Aunt did 1 time, a cousin did 1 time and my oldest did 1 time.

 

[MissyDVC]

DD9 and I both donated our hair to Locks of Love this past December and we were so happy to do it!

 

[Good Ol Gal]

my dd12 has donated to LOL twice now. She has almost reached the length for her 3rd donation.

She grows it out, cuts it to shoulder length, then grows it out again. Usually takes her about 1 1/2 years to do.

She has two friends growing their hair out right now so they can also donate!

 

[luvmyfam444]

I've looked it to it a couple times - but usually cut everyone's hair before it gets that long- drives me crazy 'cause it starts looking ratty...

YOu could choose your organization by who the wigs go to - I know LOL is for kids - alapecia (sp?) patients & others are for adults with cancer.

That could help you decide who to use.

Ya know I never once knew about the fact that the still have to dye the hair - was thinking of donating dd's hair - she's got a beautiful color - but they'll end up adding other hair to it & then dyeing it all one color so it just wouldn't be the same... though it beats ending up on the salon floor

 

[ameraumi]

I am currently growing my hair out now for the Pantene program. I figure this is the one way I can "pay it forward" with all of the help we received while DH was fighting his battle and going thru treatments.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I've been growing my hair for a year and a half for Locks of Love and it's making me insane - I only have about 4 inches after all this time! It's flat and my curl is all pulled out and it's just plain ratty-looking. I'm ready to throw in the towel, but I'm trying my last resort - I heard that Biotin might help. If it doesn't get anywhere in the next 6 months, it's coming off.