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Donating your hair

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MrsQueeny

MrsQueeny

Well-Known Member
Hey ladies. I was wondering if anyone has ever donated their hair to and org that makes wigs. I am seriously considering doing this in the near future. What org did you use? How was the prep. process? Was there any follow up (ie did you get info about who received the wig, or how it looked)? Would you do it again? Any and all info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Q
 
I done already told you I will pay top dollar for your hair. Stop trying to give it away for free.
 
Lucie said:
I am not sure what the process is, have you tried Googling? :)
Click to expand...

Yeah but I wanted some first hand experiences from the ladies here. I may just have to go off of that. I guess if I was a good looking dude, this would be at 20 pages already. :look: Q
 
I don't think there are that many black women who donated hair...

Isn't there something called Lovelocks or something?
Locks of Love?
 
My Asian friend did this and I think the only requirement was that you had to cut off at least 7 inches of hair to donate. She went to a participating salon. I assume they'd prep your hair for donation before cutting/styling.

I didn't really ask her much about it, but I can if you don't find what you're looking for.
 
FlowerHair said:
I don't think there are that many black women who donated hair...

Isn't there something called Lovelocks or something?
Locks of Love?
Click to expand...

tocktick said:
LMAO. I would be surprised if anyone here has donated their hair. You know people are trying to keep hair on their head by any means necessary. :lol: :look:

Personally, I have heard many bad things about Locks of Love.
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I know someone has done it. I heard bad things as well. That's why I was hoping to get some info from here. I guess I'll have to go elsewhere. Q
 
I've never done it, but the things I've heard is that it needs to be virgin, unprocessed hair, and at least 7-12 inches need to be cut. I was relaxed until 2 years ago, so I didn't qualify, and I'm not going bald now!!
 
***Victory is Mine said:
How did I know yo spidey senses would be tingling and have you all up and through here?!!! :rofl: Q
Click to expand...

:lachen:

That's because you know how I roll.

But on topic, I thought I've heard of a place that does this for black women/kids because you know those other wigs just don't look quite right on us:look:. That girl, Saaphyri, from Flavor of Love, may have been involved in it for a second.

Maybe you should try calling a children's hospital and find out if they know any information about a company that donates wigs.
 
I've only seen it done on white women, I do know that the hair has to be cut a certain way, so when I see those folks that just chop off a ponytail I wonder if the hair is accepted, the hair also has to be virgin hair I believe.
 
I remember reading a post on this or another forum that LOL is now accepting chemically treated hair (or relaxed hair). I have to double check on the website to make sure. Also, with LOL, since they get so much hair coming to them all the time they throw away a lot of the hair they have, because sometimes it's unusable by their standards. I would get my hair examined and see if they could use it before I lop it off, only to get it thrown away.
 
Just checked out their website. Doesn't specifically say anything against relaxed hair, but I'd contact them if you're a relaxed head interested in donating, just to make sure. Here are the guidelines for an acceptable donation on Locks of Love:

GUIDELINES FOR ACCEPTABLE DONATIONS
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.
Printable Guidelines (PDF)
Please Note:

Shorter hair will be separated from the ponytails and sold to offset the manufacturing costs. Although the shorter hair cannot be used in the hairpieces, it still greatly helps to reduce costs.
Gray hair will be accepted and sold to offset the manufacturing costs.
Colored hair is not usable if it is colored over bleached hair.
 
*Muffin* said:
I remember reading a post on this or another forum that LOL is now accepting chemically treated hair (or relaxed hair). I have to double check on the website to make sure. Also, with LOL, since they get so much hair coming to them all the time they throw away a lot of the hair they have, because sometimes it's unusable by their standards. I would get my hair examined and see if they could use it before I lop it off, only to get it thrown away.
Click to expand...

Really? That's messed up. But I figured I would be good since many AAs probably don't donate that often. I was planning on cutting it anyway but I figured I'd donate it this time. Thanks for the info. Q
 
I wouldn't go with Locks of Love - a) they don't give away the majority of their wigs, they sell them. b) They don't give wigs to children with cancer, because it's temporary baldness - only kids with permanent alopecia gets them.

Urm. As far as places to donate - I believe Pantene runs an 'on the up and up' donation site, and there is a place that you can donate hair to that makes them into mats to help sop up oceanic oil spills - but I can never remember their name.

You'd have to check with the places re: relaxing your hair, first. I'd suspect that they would take it, but better safe than sorry, esp. since you are natural, already.
 
JustKiya said:
I wouldn't go with Locks of Love - a) they don't give away the majority of their wigs, they sell them. b) They don't give wigs to children with cancer, because it's temporary baldness - only kids with permanent alopecia gets them.

Urm. As far as places to donate - I believe Pantene runs an 'on the up and up' donation site, and there is a place that you can donate hair to that makes them into mats to help sop up oceanic oil spills - but I can never remember their name.

You'd have to check with the places re: relaxing your hair, first. I'd suspect that they would take it, but better safe than sorry, esp. since you are natural, already.
Click to expand...

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info. Q
 
Well, if they are looking for 7" minimum, since I am not one of the lucky fast growers I wouldn't be able to donate, ever.
 
Yes, Pantene has a program. I think it's called Beautiful Lengths, or something like that. Some of the proceeds from buying the shampoo and conditioner from this line go to their program to supply wigs to women and children who need them (I have to do more research on this program).
 
It seems that the beautiful lengths program has more stringent guidelines than LOL. Chemically treated hair is a no-no for them. Here are their requirements and reasons behind them:

In order to make the most beautiful, realistic and durable wigs, donated hair must meet the requirements below.
Donated hair must be a minimum of 8 inches long (measure hair from just above the elastic band of the ponytail to the ends).
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.
Here's why:
It takes at least six ponytails to make a Pantene Beautiful Lengths wig; in general, each ponytail comes from a different person and is a different color. Even though some hair colors may look similar, including gray hair, each is completely unique.
For a realistic-looking wig that has consistent color throughout, donated ponytails must be processed and then dyed to the same shade. It is critical for each ponytail to absorb dyes at the same rate in order to create wigs of consistent, natural-looking color.
Gray hair, as well as some chemically-treated or permanently-colored hair, does not absorb dye at the same rate as other types of hair. It is much harder to color and, once colored, fades more quickly.
Most permanently-colored hair, once it is processed and re-colored, is too fragile and breakable under the rigorous processing required during the production of a Pantene Beautiful Lengths wig.
In appreciation of the sacrifice that a hair donation requires, Pantene Beautiful Lengths only accepts hair it knows can be used for its intended purposes.
 
***Victory is Mine said:
Hey ladies. I was wondering if anyone has ever donated their hair to and org that makes wigs. I am seriously considering doing this in the near future. What org did you use? How was the prep. process? Was there any follow up (ie did you get info about who received the wig, or how it looked)? Would you do it again? Any and all info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Q
Click to expand...

I did it and may do it again.
In 2005 I BCd my hair from below shoulder blade length to about 4 inches in length. It was a good 11 inches or so. I sent it to either wigs for kids or locks of love. (whichever one accepts 10 inches as the minimum versus 12)
 
*Muffin* said:
It seems that the beautiful lengths program has more stringent guidelines than LOL. Chemically treated hair is a no-no for them. Here are their requirements and reasons behind them:
Click to expand...
Thank you for all of that info. I def will check them out. Q

Whimsy said:
I did it and may do it again.
In 2005 I BCd my hair from below shoulder blade length to about 4 inches in length. It was a good 11 inches or so. I sent it to either wigs for kids or locks of love. (whichever one accepts 10 inches as the minimum versus 12)
Click to expand...
Cool. So who cut your hair for you? Were you able to get any follow up about your hair? Q
 
wow, q! funny you should post this. dd#1 JUST said to me the other day

"mommy, if you ever cut my hair, will you donate it?"
 
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