Donating Hair: Why Do It & What You Need to Know

Ever thought about donating your hair? If not, it’s something to consider. (And no, you don’t need to shave your entire head, you just donate the length of your ponytail!)

Human hair wigs are high in demand. They’re more generally expensive and take longer to make, with synthetic wigs being much more easily available.

Charities who focus on this cause use hair donations to create wigs for those who suffer from hair loss for medical reasons.

Wigs made from human hair are often used for younger cancer patients who have lost their hair. The reason is that most wigs on the market are made in adult sizes, in adult styles (human hair wigs can be styled just like your own hair).

It can also be more difficult for children to keep synthetic wigs fixed onto their head, without any irritation to their sensitive scalps. Many unfortunately get teased at school and are unsettled by the attention they receive due to their hair loss. But having a natural-looking hairpiece can help them feel like they fit in again, and help them with their self-esteem.

Want to Donate Your Hair?

If you’re keen to donate your hair, there are a few conditions to keep in mind:

• • Your hair can be any style or colour, as long as it is in good condition. It doesn’t matter whether it is coloured or permed, as long as it is healthy and the shade is natural.

• • Your hair must be long. Check with your chosen charity to see if they require a specific length as a minimum for you to donate. To check the length, measure just your ponytail, as that is what would be donated.

• • The hair must be shampooed and dried before the cut. Your hair will then be sent off to be made into a wig. Usually it takes around 5 donations blended together to create one wig.

How to Donate My Hair?

If you think your hair is suitable for donation, the next step is to choose which organisation to donate to. The most well-known one in the UK is The Little Princess Trust. No matter which organisation you choose, you can rest assured knowing that your hair is helping someone who no longer has theirs.

Donating your hair is undoubtedly a rewarding experience. It’s definitely a more personal form of donation than sending in a cheque.

And what better feeling than knowing that a piece of you is helping someone rebuild their confidence during a tough time?