How To Donate

Length: Hair must be at least 12 inches long from tip to tip. 

Verify Condition: Grey, treated, or dyed hair in natural colors is accepted in India (check rules here for other countries). Black is preferred. 

Prep: Wash and/or condition hair thoroughly. Do not use any styling products. Hair must be 100% dry before cutting. Damp hair will mold in the mail and must be discarded.

Secure: Tie hair into a firm ponytail or braid tightly to keep strands aligned. Use multiple sections (4-6) to reduce waste. First do a center part, and then divide each section into smaller parts. Use multiple ties to keep hair together firmly.

Measure: Verify that the donated length is 12" (31cm). If you have more than 12", save it so you can donate the additional length in a 12" ponytail next time.

Cut: Cut slightly above the top elastic band. Do not wash/style/manipulate hair after it is cut. It is ok to braid the hair. 

Store: Place the dry hair immediately into a clean, dry bag.

Mail: Place the bag in a padded or plastic envelope. Include a slip with your Name, Email, and Phone Number, length of hair. and certificate request (if needed)

Email: Email a picture holding hair and/or why you donated. Pictures will be published on our socials in 2 days, so watch for them and tag yourself! Check out sample pictures here.

Share: Once the pictures are up on our socials,  post them on yours and share them in your WhatsApp groups to get the word out. Don't forget to tag @hairforhopeindia so we can celebrate your contribution!

Register: Fill out this form so we can keep track of donations. 

Warning: Some for-profit companies are misusing our name to sell hair. We do not have salon volunteers. Only the donation channels listed below are vetted and official. 

Can I cut my hair at home?

YES. As long as you follow our 12-step guide above, home-cut donations are perfectly acceptable.

Is chemically treated hair acceptable?

YES. We accept colored or permed hair, provided it is in healthy condition. We cannot accept damaged hair, or hair in fantasy colors (green/blue etc).

What is the minimum length?

Donations must be at least 12 inches from tip to tip.

Will I receive a certificate?

YES. Please ensure you include your email address and phone number with your donation so we can get it to you.

Can I give my hair to a local salon or volunteer?

NO. To ensure your donation is not misused or sold, please only use the vetted mailing addresses listed on this page. We do not have salon volunteers.