Modern-Day Rapunzel Cuts Hair for Good Cause

A woman’s hair has always been a large part of her identity. This might even date back to the activities of prehistoric times: hunt, gather, style. Because it’s such an identifying factor, women who lose their hair as a result of chemotherapy or other illnesses often find themselves devastated. That’s where hair donation can help.

A teacher from India recently took part in this type of donation and she had quite a bit of hair to donate. She cut off 18 inches of luscious locks – one way to make sure your makeover isn’t exactly subtle.

She wanted to donate it to someone who needed it more than her, but she also had hair to spare: even after losing a foot and a half, she had plenty remaining.

Prior to this drastic transition, the teacher often wore her hair wrapped up in a braided knot. Anyone who has long hair can identify with this: it’s so much easier to put it up than to deal with its length and thickness. As a teacher, it’s likely she wanted to focus on her students rather than her strands.

Like any drastic makeover, the haircut wasn’t a quick snip: there simply was too much of it. To start the process, the stylist braided together her hair into three parts, making it easier for donation. He then verified the length of 18 inches before snipping off the braids entirely. The end result? A new look for her. A new chance for someone else.

Hair donation programs rely on the generosity of people like this teacher. If you or someone you know would like to donate, it’s important to do your research beforehand. This is because not all types of programs take all types of hair.

Also, make sure it’s long enough. Most restrictions state that your hair must be at least 10 inches in length before you can donate. It’s also important to keep your hair in good shape, as hair that is frail, discolored, or in poor condition is likely to be turned away.

The best way to do this is to use a repairing shampoo or conditioner every few weeks. Still, you shouldn’t aim to shampoo or condition every day – your hair doesn’t need it. Also, avoid heat styling and dying – many charities won’t accept hair with any kinds of chemical treatments. It’s even important to get your hair cut regularly. It might sound counterproductive to get it cut so that it’ll grow, but regular trimming helps your hair remain healthy and avoid split ends.

Finally, be prepared for your new look. Getting your haircut voluntarily is certainly different than losing it without your say. However, your new look can still be quite alarming if you’re not prepared: having three-foot tresses one minute and a pixie the next is about as dramatic as hair can get.

One way to prepare yourself is to look around the internet (or in magazines) at short hairstyles you really like. There are even apps that allow you to upload your picture to see what you’d look like with certain cuts. Because, well, there’s an app for pretty much everything.