Hair donation again - 10 inches lighter

It was time again: hair long enough to get a 10 inch cut again! I found out hair can be donated back in 2012 when I was living in Lawrence, Kansas during my postdoc. We were driving back home with friends from the Kansas University Swim Club after a swim meet in Missouri and the topic came up in the car: two of my teammates were waiting for their hair to grow long enough to donate them again. What?! I didn't know you could donate hair! My hair grows quite fast and in the past I have already done 2 major 'cuts' from very long to short, I could have donated instead of it all going to waste!

Wigs are expensive and organizations use donated hair to make wigs for children suffering from hairloss due to various illnesses but who's families cannot afford to buy one. So since my hair grows fast and I like to cut it every so often anyways, might as well donate it each time. Apparently 6 to 10 hair donations are needed to be able to make only one wig. This time was my 5th time donating my hair, I'm so lucky that it grows so fast so I'm just going to keep doing that as long as it does!

How to cut your hair for a donation?

1. Call your usual hair salon before showing up and ask if they can help you doing your donation, bring a big pair scissors (to not damage theirs) and a long ruler. Technically you can also do it at home but I've done it 4 times in France at my usual hair salon, each time with a new hair stylist who had never done it before and each time they were happy to learn to do it as I explained to them how. The very first time I did it in Kansas at a salon who had lots of experience so that helped to get me started. 
2. Wash your hair really well and remove all knots
3. Make 4 ponytails with rubberbands  - 2 rubberbands per ponytail is easiest - make the ponytails higher on your head if you want your hair layered afterwards. Only 2 ponytails may be sufficient if you have thin hair.
4. Measure 10 inches from the tip of the ponytail to where you will cut
5. Cut the pony tail above the rubberband so the ponytail stays nicely tight (loose hair is not usable)
6. Let the hair dry really well during a few days (otherwise it molds really fast and is unusable)
7. Once really dry, pack in a paper towel and ziplock bag and ship in a regular enveloppe to the organization of your choice :-)

I've been sending my hair donations to Locks of Love for these 5 times, but I recently heard that they may not be the best place to donate anymore because of tracability reasons, would need to check again. Wigs for Kids seem like a great place to donate, but the minimum length is 12 inches/30,5cm! That's just too long for me.

Fake Hair Don't Care in France seems to be a really great place to send your hair donation in France and the minimum is only 10 cm! that's really not much at all compared to 25cm! Best to have good condition hair so that they can actually use it for a wig otherwise it gets wasted. I will definitely send to them next time.

It is always a bit stressful when they actually cut, but it usually turns out not as short as I thought!

September 2018

November 2016

March 2015

First time March 2013

Does this article make you want to donate your hair if it is ever long enough?
Or have you already donated it once? to which organization?


Guidelines For Acceptable Donations - FAQ - HAIR DONATIONS - Locks of Love website
• 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.

Anyone can donate as long as the guidelines listed below are followed. We encourage all of our donors to go to a salon they are already familiar with to ensure their comfort when donating.