How Does Hair Donating Work?
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Hair Donation
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Hair donation is an honorable and much needed act. The Locks of Love organization, the leading nonprofit in human hair donation, states that it takes 6 to 10 pony tails of donated hair to make one wig for a cancer patient or alopecia sufferer. The organization also estimates that 80 percent of hair donations are made by children who feel compelled to help others.
Cutting the Hair At Home
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You don't have to go into a salon to donate hair. Just retrieve a donation form from an organization of your choice and cut your hair at home. Start by washing your hair. Dry it and brush into a ponytail at the nape of the neck. Measure the hair from the band holding the ponytail to the end of the ponytail. You must have at least a 10-inch ponytail to proceed. Cut just above the band holding the ponytail.
Next fill out the form from the hair donation organization. Place the hair inside a plastic resealable bag. Mail the package to the organization.
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Cutting the Hair at a Salon
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Contact a hair donation organization like Locks of Love to find as list of hairdressers in you area who participate in the hair donation program. Some may give you a discount on the styling after the donated hair is retrieved. Get to the salon and sit back. The hairdresser will do all the work. However, a new hairstyle, the shampooing and any other extras may cost additional fees.
Tips
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Pull curly hair straight to get a correct measurement. Hair donation facilities accept hair of any shade as long as it fits the donation requirements. Layered hair is also accepted. Just measure the long pieces and divide into several ponytails. Cut each pony tail after remeasuring to ensure you've reached the 10-inch limit. Those with shorter or gray hair can go to a specially certified salon or send a special request to the hair donation organization. They can cut your hair for donation. Organizations sell this hair to fund its operations.
Restrictions
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Not everyone can donate. The best hair for donation is clean, unprocessed and more than 10 Inches in length. Gray hair, dreadlocks, permed or bleached hair is not accepted. The hair must be either in a pony tail or braid when cut and remain that way when shipped. Loose hair, such as that trimmed and swept up, is not acceptable.
Afterwards
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The hair is sent off to a company that makes the wigs and hair pieces. The shorter pieces are sold to make money for the organization, while the others are given to those in need.
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