Donating hair supports individuals experiencing medically-related hair loss, but the process has specific acceptance rules. Organizations rely on these donations to create high-quality hair prostheses. Whether colored hair is acceptable is a common point of confusion for potential donors. The answer is not a simple yes or no, as rules regarding chemical treatments, including color, vary significantly between charitable organizations.
Detailed Rules for Chemically Treated Hair
The acceptance of colored hair depends heavily on the type of chemical process used and the resulting condition of the hair shaft. Organizations primarily look for hair that can withstand the rigors of wig manufacturing, which includes additional chemical processing and sanitization. Certain chemical treatments can compromise the hair’s structural integrity, making it unsuitable for use.
Hair treated with temporary rinses, vegetable dyes, or semi-permanent colors that have completely washed out is often accepted. Natural gray hair is generally suitable for donation, though some charities may sell it to offset manufacturing costs instead of using it directly. These treatments typically do not cause deep damage to the hair’s protein structure.
Permanent hair dye is conditionally accepted by many charities, provided the color is a natural shade and the hair remains healthy. The concern with permanent color comes from the peroxide used, which opens the cuticle and alters the hair’s internal structure. Locks of Love, for instance, accepts color-treated hair but requires it not be severely damaged.
The most common reason for rejection is hair that has been bleached or highlighted, as this process aggressively strips the hair of its natural pigment. Bleaching causes permanent damage, weakening the hair fiber so it may break or dissolve during the extensive chemical wash and preparation stages of wig construction. Since highlights use bleach, hair with highlights is typically excluded by many organizations, including Wigs For Kids. Hair treated with chemical relaxers or perms is often rejected for similar reasons, as these processes permanently alter the hair’s disulfide bonds, leaving it too fragile for wig production.
Preparing Your Hair for Donation
Once you confirm your hair meets the chemical criteria of your chosen charity, physical preparation requires meticulous attention. The donation must be completely dry before cutting; moisture trapped inside a mailing package leads to mold growth during transport, rendering the entire donation unusable. Hair must be secured tightly into a ponytail or a braid before the cut is made to ensure all strands remain aligned.
Securing the hair is a step that determines the usable length of the donation, so the elastic band must be placed precisely where the hair will be cut. It is often recommended to secure the hair with multiple small ponytails around the head rather than one large one, which captures more of the longest strands and maximizes the usable material. The minimum length requirement varies, but generally falls between 8 and 12 inches measured from the cut end to the tip of the hair.
The actual cut must be straight, made directly above the elastic band, keeping the band secured on the donated hair. It is absolutely necessary to ensure that no hair is swept up from the floor, as loose hair cannot be properly processed. After the hair is cut and the ponytail remains securely banded, it should be placed inside a clean, sealable plastic bag.
The plastic bag containing the dry, secured hair must then be placed inside a padded envelope or a small box for mailing. A padded mailer provides protection against damage during shipping. Including the necessary donation form, if required by the organization, completes the physical preparation process.
Finding the Right Charity for Your Hair
The wide variation in acceptance rules stems from the differing missions and manufacturing processes of each organization. Some charities focus exclusively on providing hairpieces for children, while others serve adults or a wider age range. This distinction impacts their need for specific hair types and lengths.
Charities also differ in their manufacturing capabilities and funding models, which affects the types of hair they can process. Organizations that can afford more complex sorting and treatment processes may accept color-treated hair, while others maintain a stricter standard of “virgin” or unprocessed hair to minimize manufacturing costs. Bleached hair is universally difficult to use because it may not survive the final sanitization bath required before weaving into a wig base.
Minimum length requirements demonstrate a further difference; some groups accept a minimum of 8 inches, while others require 12 inches or more. This is often related to the length of the wigs they construct or the amount of trimming that occurs during final styling. Longer hair is desirable as it provides wigmakers with flexibility in creating different styles.
The most important step for any donor is to check the specific, up-to-date guidelines on the chosen charity’s website before making the cut. What one organization accepts, another may reject. Failing to meet the precise criteria will result in the hair being discarded or sold for scrap. Researching the organization’s mission and specific rules ensures the donation does not go to waste.