I must admit, the last time I had my hair cut I thought that the salon might have to call in a bulldozer to clean up the enormous amounts of hair below the chair. I saw that the women that had cut my hair-and survived the event-swept the hair away somewhere. I couldn’t help but wonder if that pile of hair, or any otherpile of hair, could have some other purpose in the world at large. The answer is yes. And salons around the globe are involved. So, how does hair from the salon floor help clean-up oils spills? It’s actually a very interesting and simple process and organizations like Matter of Trust has been collecting hair for about a decade to create booms and mats used to deal with oils spills.
How does our hair help? Hair collects oil, some a little too much than others, but now is the time to collect as much oil as possible. Matter of Trust takes the hair and stuffs it into reused Nylon or weaves it into mats and this is used to clean up the oil. This is open to anybody and should be on” top of mind” in salons and groomers everywhere. Check out what salons in your neighborhood are participating in this very timely and critical program.
We all know that having an abundance of hair is a blessing, but a topic we don’t like to think about is hair loss as a result of a medical illness. It is a well-known fact that men, women, and children suffer both mentally and physically as a result of medical intervention. We all have known somebody close to us that has had to endure lengthy chemotherapy treatments and the subsequent side affects like hair loss. The treatments take a toll on their physical energy as well, but it is so import ant to get out and about during these processes as well.
It is so important to know what options are available for patients losing, or that have completely lost their hair, with dignity. .While some people have decided to join the “bald and the beautiful”, others have purchased wigs, scarves, and hats as a temporary “holding” pattern. For example, Gail Porter, former model and British TV presenter lost most of hair as a result of alopecia aretaand (Alopecia or hair loss is the medical description of the loss of hair from the head or body, sometimes to the extent of baldness). This condition affects people of all ages and most often associated with thyroid disease. Gail decided against wearing a wig and described her “bald and beautiful” status as, “Bald is the new black!” At the 2005 Grammy Awards, Melissa Etheridge sang out her soul and touched audiences around the world with more than just her musical talent. She had lost her hair from chemotherapy and this washer first performance since she had been diagnosed with cancer in 2004. The chemotherapy had been affective in her battle against cancer, but her head was bald, bald, bald, as a ping-pong ball, but her fans loved her that much more during that performance. She told reporters that “her only concern was that the lighting guys knew she was bald in case they had to adjust the lighting for it”.
There are people out there experiencing hair loss that want nothing to do with sporting the Kojak look, especially children. I learned about Locks of Love, which is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21. I didn’t realize the numbers of children under the age of 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss were so high. It’s hard to imagine the emotional issues this would bring upon a child or teen. Locks of Love the highest quality hair prosthetics in an effort to restore their self-esteem and confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers as an equal. Donating to Locks of Love is as easy as 1-2-3, and the results are priceless. The minimum length needed for hairpiece is10 inches measured tip to tip. The hair must be clean and completely dry before it is mailed in. Just place those lovely tresses on their way, but first place the ponytail or braid inside of a plastic bag, and then inside of a padded envelope. There is a hair donation form, or you can write your name ad address on a separate sheet of paper and include it is the envelope.
Have you ever donated your tresses to help something or somebody else? Now that I am aware of Matter of Trust and Locks of Love, I can’t wait for my next haircut!
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Locks of love is an amazing organization!If I could I would donate, but I live quite far for them.Loved this article!
My good friend just donated her hair this weekend. I think it’s a great way to help others and there are so many ways to do this
I am hoping to grow mine out to donate as well!
I would have loved to donate my hair when I got married. Problem was, the lady who did the first cutting, cut it in a ponytail, so when I went to get a real haircut, the next lady didnt have enough hair to cut for me to donate. I wanted to donate hair in honor of my mother for being a breast cancer survivor
I have always wanted to give to locks of love, but can never get my hair long enough. It would be interesting to see my hair go to these mats used for the oil spills! Not like I use my scrap hair
thank you for the information about how hair is being used to help with the oil spill
i have not donated my hair yet but i am growing it and would like to do ante it. i have known relatives that were sick and a wig makes a whole difference it makes them feel beautiful!!
Once I got my haircut when it was LONG LONG…and they said that it wasnt long enough for the Locks of Love. My question is How long is long enough? My hair was to my behind and i cut it to my chin….
Next time i get my haircut i am goin to make sure they donate hair to the Matter of Trust…
I’ve actually heard bad things about Locks of Love, and while my hair wouldn’t actually qualify because it’s processed, I would be hard-pressed to use them.
Donated 2x to Zichron Menachem, an organization in Israel that helps children with cancer. I think anyone who is thinking of cutting their hair short (10-12 inches or more braided) should do this EASY mitzvah!!
I was blessed (even at times when it doesn’t seem so) with lots of thick hair that is healthy and strong. I let it grow out for many years, but then I decided to cut it. The hairdresser I had didn’t want to do it since she was afraid I would cry when I lost that much hair so someone else did it. I never regreted it. On that visit they cut off 14 1/2 inches and this brought my hair to rest a little above my shoulders. My mom and I both donated our hair to Locks of Love that day and I was so glad that we did.
I think if I were wanting to cut my hair, I would donate it to Locks of Love…
My daughter’s donated her hair a couple of times to ‘Locks of Love’; I tried once, but it wasn’t long enough… I thought maybe for bangs or payos?? I wish I had known then about ‘Matter of Trust’. Thanks for this Pubic Service Announcement!
I have never donated any, but I think it is a good idea. Didnt realize it was good for soaking up oil.
I think it would be a wonderful thing to donate my hair, but I have not been to a hair stylist in many many years. This is something I want to check into doing.
That is so interesting. I knew about Locks of Love and try to send my daughters hair to them when cut, but didn’t know about the Matter of Trust. So neat!
oops! it was ‘Zichron Menachem;, not ‘Locks of Love’.
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My sister and friend have both donated hair to Locks of Love multiple times. i really admire the way they waited to get new styles and wrestled with washing and caring for it so that they could give to someone in need.
I have always wanted to donate to Locks of Love but can’t seem to wait long enough before needing the haircut. My ponytail is already 7″ now so I am hoping I can hold out this time.
I always donate my hair when it gets really long. Its a great thing to do!!!!
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Great cause and a Great Opportunity to Help Someone in Need.
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I havn’t cut my hair in a vey long time due to lazyness since I cover my hair and nobody see’s it anyway. But thanks to your blog, I just took a look at just how long it has gotten, and I think i have to let it grow a good inch and then I can donate it to locks of love
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I’ve wanted to locks of love but I’ve never been brave enough to cut off that much hair in one sitting. It is a goal of mine to do it at least once in my lifetime. In the meantime it’s good to know that shorter hair remnants are also good for things like cleaning up oil spills. That was fascinating.
very informative- I wish I had long hair to donate to Locks of Love…I think what they do deserves angel recognition
Hair to clean up oil, thats great for those of us without really long hair for LOL
I have never donated my hair. I have no problem and even have kudos for those that do, but I can’t cut my hair short for religious reasons. But for those that do not have my same convictions, my appreciation goes out that you would do something so selfless.
very informative- I wish I had long enough hair to donate to Locks of Love…I think what they do deserves angel recognition
I follow on twitter @anniemos
mamamoss1611@hotmail.com
I was lazy and didnt cut my hair for a few months and then a friends daughter donated her hair to chai lifeline who takes a pony that is over 12 inches long. I had 10 then and didnt want to give to locks of love and found out about zichron menachem btu i decided to grow it the last two inches and give it to chai lifeline. I am now looking for someone who can cut it for me bec till now i just cut my hair myself.
Wow, I didn’t know hair could be used to clean up oil!
Thank you for this informative article. i will try to grow out my hair and then donate.
Interesting and timely article!
I’ve never had anough to donate to Locks of Love before, but now that my hair is virgin, I just might. My Mom had cancer 10 years ago and was blessed to get a decent wig. I live in Pensacola, FL and the oil is approacing our shores so Matter of trust might be a recipient too. I WILL tell others about this great post!
i donated my hair to locks of love when i was in highschool. it was down my back and i cut it to my chin (a little traumatizing but worth it) i had about 18 inches to donate. when i did it there was a list of hairdressers on the locks of love website that would cut and style your hair free of charge, and send out the hair for you.
I love Locks of Love and am thoroughly excited to hear that there’s something out there that uses hair to help with cleaning up oil. Simply wonderful and can’t wait to contribute.
Thanks for this posting! I cut my hair several months ago. I kept it, as I wanted to donate it, but I didn’t know how to go about it. Thanks for the info.
I had waist-length hair when I was 13 and donated 10″ of it to Locks of Love. I heard later that there have been some questions about what they actually do, but I haven’t formed an opinion either way.
I’ve known about Locks for Love for a while now and have wanted to donate but never was able to, although I know others who have. Cleaning up oil spills is definitely another worthy cause. How do you find salon’s that participate in this type of program? Now that I am more informed, I feel that it is a shame to throw my hair in the garbage. Out of curiosity, can wig hair that has been cut from the wig also be used?
yes i have donated!! to locks of love !
follow on twitter @lovemy21b
I’ve donated my hair once. Would love to do it again..but too short
I love donating!
Donating is the best!
I recently just lost my hair due to chemotherapy and was so touched when a couple of people offered to give me hair to make a wig with. I am currently in the process of having a wig made of hair from my hair and some of others. It is one of the most thoughtful and touching phone calls I have ever had. If you have hair and want to cut it for a new look, ask your hair dresser to do it in a way that can offer another person a new look as well.
I just ordered. The lovely net headband was for my neighbor, whose been diagnosed with breast cancer, the hairclips are for my grand babies, and the cap was for me-I and two other neighbor/friends had our heads shaved in support of Kathy’s fight.
I believe that we grow stronger in our own battles if others give a little heart.
Your products are wonderful when I save up a bit more I will buy more pre-tied scarves, the pink ribbon scarves, and a couple more hats. I have created a sensation with my black n white classic cap!
i haven’t ever donated my hair to a cause but it is something that i will consider before my next hair cut. thanks!
Locks for Love has benefited many women. I think it takes a lot of patience and sacrifice for those how have donated their hair. I wish I knew about this many years ago when I first cut it. I have thick, strong Asian hair but my hair won’t grow long anymore. Kudos to those that donate and best wishes to those that have survived such illnesses!
I haven’t personally as I never got a long enough amount cut, but I told 2 other people who have
I did donate my hair once – maybe this will inspire me to do it again!
Great article. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve personally never donated my hair to anything like that. In fact I don’t remember ever cutting enough off at one time to donate, but my next-older sister once donated her hair to Locks of Love.
Very interesting Article! I believe that chai lifeline also has a way of accepting hair donations – just don’t quote me on it!!!
My last beauty parlor visit, I found out that the bp I go to is donating hair to contribute to the oil clean up cause. So glad that I am having a little part in helping this disaster.
I know some people who donated their hair to different organizations and i think it’s great they did. I was planning to donate my hair too, but i couldn’t wait until my hair was long enough. I think that things like this should be part of everyone in the world trying to help others with something that you have and other wise would go to waist.
I’ve never donated my hair for a good cause. When I do cut it, I generally only trim it. I love the look my husband gives me when my long tresses catch his eye, so I’m selfish that way. Keeping the hair.
I donated to Locks of Love right after I got married and would def. do it again!
I have a friend that recently donated their hair to Chai Lifeline. I think it is amazing when people donate their hair to these causes.
My daughter and I have both had our hair cut for Locks of Love.
I donated my hair two years ago. It was 17 inches long. I started growing it again, and, in another year, I will have enough to donate again. I plan to donate again, because unfortunately, they always need more hair.
It’s great to know that you can make a difference just getting a routine haircut!
if you have weak hair an easy way to get it to go long is to put it in a loose bun (tight buns can make it break worse). having it up takes some of the weight of it so it won’t break so easily. I have really weak hair and this has helped a lot. Tight ponytails can pull the hair out too. Buns are also nice for those of os that can’t STAND to have 9 or 10 inches hanging around.