Magazines are always lauding praise on celebrities who donate their belongings to different causes. What you probably didn’t know is that anyone can donate something that can make a difference: their hair. Human hair is perfect for cancer wigs, allowing patients to look natural even when they undergo chemotherapy. Even monofilament wigs, which allow the natural skin color to show through, can be made from human hair.

Anyone can donate their hair for cancer patients. All one has to do is go to a salon and say they want their hair to be used for cancer wigs. The stylist will know how to cut it and the hair will be sent to make wigs for patients with cancer. There are even salons that give customers a free haircut because of the donation. After the stylist cuts your hair, you can mail it to organizations that can turn it into beautiful wigs for cancer patients. The wigs are not usually free, but recipients are charged on a sliding scale based on ability to pay. Most of the times these are children under the age of 18.

The stylist has to tie the hair in a pony tail and cut off most of it. As you will donate it for cancer wigs, you will probably need to have long hair. Most organizations that make monofilament wigs for cancer patients require a certain length: usually from 10 to 14 inches. It takes a few inches of hair to make the actual wig, and most patients, especially girls and young women, wish to wear long wigs.

In order for your hair to be suitable for cancer wigs, it has to be virgin hair – meaning it has not been bleached or permed. However, if it was colored without bleaching, it may still be acceptable. If the hair has been darkened back to its natural hair color, this does not usually hurt the wig making process. Remember that monofilament wigs for cancer patients need to look natural, and hair has to look healthy. Cancer wigs are worn more for functionality than being fashionable.

If you know you want to donate your hair but do not know how, contact your local chapter of the Cancer Society - they will tell you exactly what to do. Local hair stylists might also collaborate with organizations that manufacture monofilament wigs, so it would be a good idea to ask them too. It also doesn’t hurt to do some research on organization you want to donate your hair to. For instance, “Locks of Love" is the best known organization that makes free wigs for sick children; however, children who have cancer cannot benefit from those wigs, as the organization only gives wigs away to children who suffer from long – term medical hair loss. Wearing wigs has become very popular, and sometimes you can even get good money by selling your hair for wig use.