Hair Donation - Make the Cut
How to Make the Cut
Here’s everything you need to know about making the cut. First, make sure your hair meets the donation requirements (see the links below). Second, make sure you follow these instructions exactly, so you can be sure your hair is used to create a realistic wig to bring real hope to women and children with cancer.
Clean, shampoo, and/or condition hair, without any styling, hairspray, or additional hair products.
Gather hair at the nape of the neck.
Create a ponytail with an elastic band. Make sure the band is tight around the hair to keep the hair together after cutting. If it comes out of the band, it won’t be included in the donation. A second hair band can be placed around the middle of the ponytail to keep the hair together.
Ensure that the elastic band is just below where you want to cut your hair.
Measure the length of the ponytail from the elastic band to the tips, making sure it’s at least the required length. The required length depends on where you are making your donations. Donations shorter than the required length will not be used, because it is too short for making a wig. If your hair is not long enough yet, continue growing it out. There is no maximum length requirement.
Cut the hair just above the elastic band so that the elastic band remains on the ponytail after cutting and keeps cut hair together. Do not wash or style the ponytail in any way after it has been cut off.
Place the ponytail, kept intact with the elastic band, in a zipper-lock bag and seal tightly. Please ensure that the ponytail is completely dry before sending.
Place the plastic bag with the ponytail in a padded or plastic envelope and send it to one of the companies listed below.
Remember: Hair is measured tip to tip for the minimum length needed. Hair must be in a ponytail or braid before it is cut. Hair must be clean and completely dry before it is mailed. Place the ponytail or braid inside of a plastic bag, and then inside of a padded envelope.
