Hair Donation FAQ: Everything You Need to Know Before You Cut

Donating your hair is a simple but meaningful way to support children experiencing medical hair loss. Your hair can become part of something much bigger—a source of comfort, confidence, and joy for a child who needs it.

If you are considering donating your hair to Little Heroes Hair, you may have questions about length, color treatments, cutting, packaging, and mailing. This guide answers the most common questions and helps you prepare your donation correctly.

1. How Long Does My Hair Need to Be?
Hair donations must be at least 8 inches long.

Before cutting, measure your hair from the point where it will be secured with an elastic band to the ends. Curly or wavy hair may be gently stretched when measuring.

If you are unsure whether your hair is long enough, allow it to grow a little longer before cutting. A longer donation gives our team more flexibility during the wig-making process.

2. Can I Donate Gray Hair?
Yes! Gray hair is accepted.

Hair donors come from many different age groups and backgrounds. What matters most is that the donated hair meets the length requirement and is in good condition.

3. Can I Donate Dyed, Highlighted, or Chemically Treated Hair?
Hair that has not been chemically treated is preferred. However, colored or chemically treated hair may still be accepted if it is healthy and in good condition.

Hair that is severely damaged, brittle, or breaking may not be suitable for wig production. If your hair has been processed, check its overall condition before donating.

4. Does My Hair Need to Be Clean?
Yes. Donated hair must be clean and completely dry before it is cut and packaged.

Never place wet or damp hair inside a plastic bag. Moisture can cause mildew or damage during shipping, making the donation unusable.

5. How Should I Prepare My Hair Before Cutting It?
Follow these simple steps:

• Wash your hair and allow it to dry completely.
• Brush or comb it to remove tangles.
• Gather the hair into a secure ponytail or braid.
• Fasten it tightly with an elastic band.
• Measure the donation to confirm that it is at least 8 inches long.
• Cut the hair above the elastic band so the strands remain securely together.
• Keeping the hair secured prevents loose strands from becoming tangled or separated during shipping.

6. Should My Hair Be in a Ponytail or a Braid?
Either is acceptable. Hair should be secured in a ponytail or braid before it is cut.

For thick hair, dividing it into several smaller ponytails may make cutting easier and help keep more of the usable length together. Make sure each section is tightly secured before cutting.

7. Can Children Donate Their Hair?
Yes. Children are welcome to donate hair with the involvement and permission of a parent or guardian.

For many young donors, growing and cutting their hair becomes a meaningful way to learn about compassion and support another child. Families, schools, salons, and community groups can also organize hair donation activities together.

8. How Should I Package My Donation?

Once the hair has been cut:

• Confirm that it is completely dry.
• Keep it secured with an elastic band.
• Place it inside a clean, sealed plastic or zip-top bag.
• Include the required donor information or registration form.
• Place the sealed bag inside a mailing envelope or box.
• These steps help protect the hair while it is being delivered.

9. Do I Need to Register My Hair Donation?
Donors can register their hair donation online through the Little Heroes Hair website or download and print a donation form.

Registration helps us properly record and acknowledge your contribution. Donors who provide their information can also receive a personalized certificate of appreciation by email.

Register your hair donation and review the current requirements here.

10. Where Should I Send My Hair?
Please visit our official Hair Donation page for the latest registration and mailing instructions:

www.littleheroeshair.org/donate-hair

We recommend checking the page before mailing your donation, as instructions may occasionally be updated.

11. What Happens After My Hair Is Donated?

Little Heroes Hair provides free, custom-made wigs to eligible children under the age of 18 who are experiencing hair loss caused by medical conditions.

Creating a wig requires careful preparation, customization, and skilled workmanship. Every suitable hair donation supports our mission and helps us continue bringing confidence and comfort to children and their families.

Because every wig has specific requirements—including color, length, texture, and condition—not every individual ponytail can necessarily be used in a particular child’s wig. However, every eligible donation contributes to the larger wig-making process and helps move our mission forward.

12. Are There Other Ways to Help?
Absolutely. If your hair is not currently long enough to donate, you can still support Little Heroes Hair by:

• Making a financial donation
• Sharing our mission on social media
• Organizing a community hair donation event
• Introducing us to a local salon, school, hospital, or community organization
• Volunteering your time or professional skills
• Every form of support helps us reach more children experiencing hair loss.

Ready to Donate Your Hair?
A haircut may feel like a small change, but to a child experiencing medical hair loss, it can represent hope, confidence, and the freedom to feel like themselves again.

Before cutting, remember the essentials:

• Donate at least 8 inches of hair.
• Make sure the hair is clean and completely dry.
• Secure it in a ponytail or braid.
• Place it in a sealed plastic bag.
• Register your donation and follow the current mailing instructions.

Thank you for choosing to turn your hair into a meaningful gift.

A Wig, A Smile, A Happier Child.

Donate your hair to Little Heroes Hair today.