Read on to learn more about the guidelines for donating and receiving hair and some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Locks of Love.
What Is Locks of Love?
Locks of Love is a public, nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to what it refers to as “financially disadvantaged children” who have lost their natural hair through medical treatments.
While the majority of donations go to children suffering from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder, Locks of Love does help people under the age of 21 who have lost hair due to other conditions. The causes of hair loss vary and include hair loss from long-term chemotherapy and permanent loss from radiation therapy.
Donation Guidelines
Donations of hair come from men, women, and children across the United States and Canada, and that hair is made into hairpieces. Financial donations are also accepted for those who don’t want to or cannot donate their hair.
There are several guidelines for donating hair to Locks of Love. In addition to the 10-inch rule, here are some other guidelines you must follow to donate your hair:
Curly hair must be at least 10 inches when pulled straightColored or permed hair is acceptableLayered hair should be separated into multiple ponytails, with the shortest measuring 10 inchesHair not in a ponytail or braid cannot be usedLocs (hair that’s coiled, twisted, are not allowedHair extensions or synthetic hair etc. ) cannot be usedGray hair is acceptable
Lastly, hair can be cut by anyone as long as these guidelines are met.
Requesting a Hair Piece
A Locks of Love application must be submitted to receive a hairpiece, along with a photograph of the child without a hairpiece or hat, to help with a custom fit.
You also need to submit two letters of recommendation explaining why the child would benefit from this. These can be from a parent, teacher, or another person in the child’s life.
Who Can Receive a Hairpiece?
Locks of Love donates hairpieces to disadvantaged children. In order to be considered by the organization for a hairpiece, tax forms must be submitted.
While Locks of Love says that the majority of applicants are girls, hairpieces can also be made for boys.
The organization helps children suffering from long-term and permanent hair loss due to several conditions, not cancer exclusively. Children with short-term hair loss can also receive a synthetic hairpiece.
An application to Locks of Love can be submitted every 18 months. A child can receive up to five hairpieces. Kids six years old and younger receive synthetic hairpieces because they have rapid head size growth. Youth ages 6 to 21 with long-term hair loss receive custom hairpieces. While they are waiting for their hairpiece, they also get a wig.
Summary
Losing your hair can be an emotionally hard process at any age, especially for children and teens. Hair can be so important for self-esteem and self-concept, but hairpieces can be expensive. Locks of Love is an organization that donates hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children.
Once the application is approved, the family is sent a molding kit. The molding kit will allow a plaster mold to be made of the child’s head. The mold is then sent back to Locks of Love, who then sends it to the hairpiece manufacturer.
The hairpieces are intricately made to ensure high quality and Locks pays for the manufacturing. The hairpieces would normally retail for $3,500 to $6,000.
To donate hair to the organization, you will need to follow certain guidelines, including making sure the donation is at least 10 inches from end to end. If you are interested in either donating hair or applying for a hairpiece, there are guidelines for both on the website.
A Word From VeryWell
If there is a young person in your life 21 and under who is experiencing hair loss, Locks of Love may be able to help. They are an organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children.
With the help of this organization and the people who donate, children and teens who might not otherwise be able to afford a hairpiece can get a custom prosthetic that helps make their lives a little easier.
