How to Donate Your Hair

... on this page, you'll automatically be making a donation to the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, dedicated to cancer prevention and early detection through research, education and community outreach. Doesn't that feel good?

• Minimum of 8 inches long


• 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

• Million-Inch Chain - Campaign kicked off by Hillary Swank. Make a pledge or register your own donation.


• Complete Donation Guidelines


• Hair-Cutting Events - Host your own hair-cutting party, plan a ponytail drive or issue a challenge to others.


• Downloads - Web banners, desktop wallpapers and more to show your support for the campaign.

• Hair must be clean and dry.


• Hair that has been cut and saved is suitable for donations.


• Minimum length of hair donation is 12+ inches. (Pull curly hair straight to measure.)


• Gray hair is acceptable, but hair that has been chemically processed - permed, colored or highlighted - is not

• Partnership with Girl Scouts


• Salons - Find a salon in your state that supports this program.


• How to Cut a Ponytail for Donation - Directions meant for hair stylists, but great resource for anyone.

• Hair must be at least 10 inches (preferably 12") in length


• Hair must be free of bleach. Colored hair and permed is acceptable.


• Hair must be clean and dry


• 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.


• Cannot accept dreadlocks. 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.


• Gray hair will be accepted and sold to offset the manufacturing costs.

• Documentary Film - If you're planning a donation to Locks of Love, they're making a documentary on the organization and would love to hear from you.


• Volunteer - Host a LOL event or become a participating salon.


• Sponsors

• Hair should be at least 8 inches in length; longer is preferred.


• Hair must be clean and pony-tailed or braided (this keeps the hair in one direction).


• Non-chemically treated hair is preferred (but any hair in good condition will be accepted).


• Gray hair is accepted.

• Sponsoring salons

• At least 12" in length (curly hair can be pulled straight to measure 12")


• Chemically untreated from permanents or hair dye.


• Do not accept gray hair (not suitable for children)

• Please line boxes (recycled shampoo supply boxes work well) with plastic garbage bags.


• Hair can be swept off the floor


• Please no metal pins or clips (actually, try to get nothing but hair if possible).


• Hair can be any length, color or condition


• Pet hair is OK too, but human hair is more efficient

• Also accept clean, used, runned nylons which are doublee, cut and stuffed with the hair to make "booms" that surround and contain as well as soak up oil spills.

• Heat is the enemy!! This means blow-dryers, curling irons, straighteners, hot water even. Now, I still wash with warm water (who wants to take a cold shower!), but avoid all other heat sources. I just wash at night now and let it air dry. It's made a huge difference in the health of my hair as it's grown.


• Consider using a special deep conditioner once a week. I've never liked the hot oil treatments that much. I used the Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask for a few months and loved it, then switched to one from Pantene. It takes a long time to use up one of these tubs! I think I had fewer split ends with the Neutrogena product, so I'd definitely recommend it. There are lots of options for deep treatments, though.


• Careful with the hair products!! Most of them contain alcohol, which is really drying. Unless you desperately need them to keep your hair from becoming just crazy, go lightly here.


• For some people, it is possible that areas of your life such as diet, exercise, hours of sleep, and stress affect hair growth. Healthy habits will promote healthy hair!


• Yes, what you eat can impact how your hair grows. In addition to my regular vitamins, I've been talking extra doses of biotin. Check out the link below for more on the special hair vitamins out on the market.

• Ask if your salon gives free haircuts when you're ready to donate. Some organizations keep lists of participating salons on their websites.


• Know how much you want to cut (and keep in mind how much will be left once you've cut enough for the donation).


• Discuss your new style options with your stylist before he/she starts cutting. Your new dream hairdo might not be possible once you cut off enough to donate or you might need to leave some parts longer than others to make the new look happen.


• Hair should be freshly washed and completely dry. Do not put any styling products into your hair before cutting it.


• Gather your hair into a ponytail. Secure the ponytail with an elastic band. Ensure that the band is tight so as to keep the hair together after cutting it. You can put a second hair band around the middle of the ponytail to help keep the hair together.


• Measure your hair from just above the elastic ponytail to the ends to determine if your hair meets the donation agency's requirements. If you have wavy or curly hair, you may straighten it first before measuring.


• If your hair is layered, separate each layer into its own ponytail. It is okay to submit multiple ponytails of different lengths.


• Follow the mailing instructions of the organization you have chosen to donate to. Be sure to include a piece of paper with your name, address, and phone number so that you can be contacted should there be any questions about the condition of your hair.