How to Donate Your Hair
Donating hair to charity is a generous act. Charities use donated hair to provide wigs to children and adults suffering from cancer and other illnesses that result in hair loss. If you are getting ready to have your hair cut -- and have at least 10 inches to spare -- select your charity and get your hair cut. Keep in mind that each charity has its own rules, typically focused on length, condition and your age.
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Instructions
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Choose a charity. Charities use the hair to create wigs for patients with hair loss from chemotherapy or other illnesses. Some charities, however, sell your hair and use the money to purchase wigs.
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Contact the charity and review their age requirements. Charities require that you be under a certain age to make a donation. For wigs made specifically for children, for example, you must be under 18 years of age. For adult wigs, the age limit starts at 18 and can vary from 27 to 45 years old.
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Make sure your hair is appropriate for donation. Hair must be 8 to 12 inches long, depending on the specific charity, when put in a braid or ponytail. Coloring or chemical processing makes you ineligible to donate. Gray hair is also not typically accepted.
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Prepare your hair for cutting. Most charities request that the donated hair be put in a braid, although some charities accept donated hair in a ponytail or loose in a plastic bag.
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Cut your hair. Many salons will braid your hair, measure and cut it for you, and then send it to the charity of your choice at no charge. Salons may also offer to cut and style your hair at no charge if they know you're making a donation.
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References
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