For so long I have been frustrated with the inability to grow my hair out. About 6 months ago I came across Pantene Pro-V's new product, Beautiful Lengths lengthening shampoo and conditioner. I figured it probably would not work but I have liked their products in the past so I bought it anyway. About 4 months after using the shampoo and conditioner my hair began to grow like a weed! Now, 6 months later my hair is 2 feet and some odd inches long.
I would love to donate my hair soon, but I am having trouble deciding between the Locks of Love and Pantene's Beautiful Length's program. I was wondering if anyone can give me some insight or advice on which to choose and why.
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Childrenwithhairloss.us will accept color "manipulated" hair no matter what the chemical type (vegetable vs whatever). The lady at their organization said it wouldn't be a problem. Last year, they were able to help about 300 kids, all at no cost, but monetary donations are way down this year. I recently found my hair cut in 1974, still in the braid. Off it goes to CWHL with my most recent shearings!
August 6, 2009 - 7:16amThis Comment
Rosa,
Thank you so much for your helpful information! While I'm most certain Locks of Love does accomplish a lot of good, I do feel more comfortable donating to a program that is 100% charitable.
I am going to do a little bit more research before I make my decision, I am leaning towards wigsforkids though.
Thanks again!
July 22, 2009 - 10:57amThis Comment
Hi! I have very much appreciated this whole discussion. I am cutting my hair for donation in 2 days and this whole string has really helped. One thing for all the readers of this discussion to consider is cutting your hair into multiple ponytails, rather than 1. Many of these programs encourage you to cut 6+ ponytails to maximize the lengths of hair you can donate. Just a tip!
April 22, 2010 - 9:44amThis Comment
AnnieKG. I know nothing about Pantene Pro-V's beautiful lengths program. What I do know is that Locks of Love, although a very popular, well-known name takes your hair as a donation and then sells their wigs. That, to me, is not right. Although they mention that some of their clients get wigs for free, they also mention that they
work on a sliding scale.
This is straight from their site:
Q. What do the children pay for these hairpieces?
A. We provide hairpieces and repairs free of charge or on a sliding scale based on the financial need of those
responsible for the children.
Q. What is the retail cost of the hairpieces?
A. Between $3,500 and $6,000.
Even for families with low income, they sell these wigs at around $500. Cancer patients deserve more than that, and that is why I don't recommend locks of love.
Wigs for Kids or Children with hairloss provide wigs for families at no cost.
I have attached a link to all sites so that you can compare for yourself.
http://www.wigsforkids.org/
July 22, 2009 - 6:00amhttp://www.childrenwithhairloss.us/
http://www.locksoflove.org/
http://www.beautifullengths.com/en_US/parties.jsp
This Comment
I would advise anyone interested to look up the charities listing/information at the bbb - Better Business Bureau. I looked up both Wigs for Kids, and Children with Hair Loss. I was not satisfied that I should send my childrens, and my hair to either of them. (We recently cut our hair for donation.) I could not find Pantene Beautiful Lengths, and did not look up Locks of Love, as we cut 8 inches (too short for LoL).
August 28, 2011 - 7:01pmThis Comment
I would advise anyone interested to look up the charities listing/information at the bbb - Better Business Bureau. I looked up both Wigs for Kids, and Children with Hair Loss. I was not satisfied that I should send my childrens, and my hair to. (We recently cut our hair for donation.) I could not find Pantene Beautiful Lengths, and did not look up Locks of Love, as we cut 8 inches (too short for LoL).
August 28, 2011 - 7:00pmThis Comment
Annie, I donated my hair to Beautiful Lengths instead of Locks of Love for these reasons. LoL states on their website that in fact, kids under 18 DO NOT get real hair wigs, they get synthetic wigs, because they outgrow them quickly and the synthetic ones are less expensive. The vast majority of LoL recipients are NOT cancer patients, they have alopecia, which while still a very valid health concern, is not what people think they are donating to. LoL is very willing to let their image be that of giving your hair to a 10 year old child who is battling cancer, and that is absolutely not what is happening. LoL will also sell your hair donation if they can't use it and use the proceeds to fund their organization. BL uses all hair donations in some way and they never sell a donation for profit. Also their wigs go to women who are cancer patients/survivors.
February 19, 2010 - 7:21pmThis Comment
Actually, if you look at LOL's website (http://www.locksoflove.org/faq.html), only kids under the age of 6 recieve synthetic hair.
Q. What age group do you help?
A. Children under 6 years receive synthetic hairpieces because this age group experiences rapid growth in the size of their head. Children ages 6-21 with long term hair loss receive custom, vacuum-fit hair prosthetics.
Also,
Q. Does Locks of Love sell hair? Throw away hair?
A. Hair that is short, gray, or otherwise unusable will be sold to help offset manufacturing costs. Locks of Love DOES NOT throw hair away unless it is wet and moldy or not bundled in a braid or ponytail when it is received.
Please remember that LoL IS an non-profit organization and the reason they sell off some of the unused hair is to offset the manufacturing costs of the wigs while BL is backed by a huge company - Proctor and Gamble! I think both BL and LoL are wonderful places to donate hair. My 6 year old daughter just donated some to BL and I myself plan on donating to LoL. I really don't think you can go wrong either way, but that's just my opinion. and it is nice that BL accepts shorter hair than LoL.
May 4, 2010 - 6:06amThis Comment
thanks so much for your inciteful information!!
I had heard something about this in the past, and recently got ten inches cut off.
I am so happy I learned about this before donating my hair to them.
January 3, 2010 - 9:29amThis Comment
pantene does not charge for their wigs. I stopped donating to locks of love when I found out that they sell their wigs.
January 23, 2010 - 9:37amThis Comment