How annoying!

[bladespark]

Last time I got my hair drastically chopped off (from mid back to ear length, about a foot’s worth of hair,) I donated the cut off ends to Locks of Love. I figured they’d make a really good wig for somebody in need, given that I’ve never dyed, permed, or even hairsprayed my hair.

Apparently the odds are very good that my hair was not, in fact, made into a wig by Locks of Love.

In fact it seems it’s more likely that the hair was sold to raise money for the “charity.” What exactly they do with this money, given that it seems they aren’t much into giving out free wigs, I have no idea.

I was going to donate again in about two years, when I plan on having another severe haircut. (This one should be from mid-thigh to the ears, thus generating something close to a full yard of hair!) But now I think I’m going to find something else to do with my hair. I wonder how much a yard’s worth of really full, never been treated hair would go for on ebay? *grin*

Comments

[xodiac.livejournal.com]

Use it in a fursuit!

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

That's an interesting idea! But loose hair is a PAIN to work with.

[sphix.livejournal.com]

Hmm... Black Market, anyone? People sell kidneys and babies, why not hair? ^_^

Seriously, though, that's a good idea. Could get a pretty penny for it on eBay...

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Looks like peoplehair doesn't actually go for that much. Apparently there are communities out there (I assume third world ones) where people grow their hair out for a living! Most wig makers only buy from their own guaranteed sources, and not from random people on line.

Which is too bad! You really could make a terrific wig from my hair. Ah well.

[xodiac.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure it's okay to sell that on eBay. The have a policy: no human body parts. No animal parts either, I think. Anyway, if they decide to be anal, this could be pulled because it breaks that rule. Can't hurt to try, I guess.

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

I saw some hair up there when I looked earlier. And LOTS of extentions made from real hair. So I guess that's allowed.

None of them were going for much though, not even the finished extentions.

[sphix.livejournal.com]

Go meet with one, and get it appraised! ~_^

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

That's a weird idea. *laughs* "Hey, I'd like to have my head appraised, please."

[sphix.livejournal.com]

May not too far out there though. It's worth a shot, right?

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Well, if I had any idea where to go for such a thing, perhaps. I doubt I'll find hair appraisers in the phone book though.

[sphix.livejournal.com]

Hmm... But a wig-maker, whatever they be called, would be a fine hair appraiser. If there are any around you.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

One of the things that always makes me paranoid about charities are "operation costs". Makes me examine them in GREAT detail before I donate

[kainhighwind-dr.livejournal.com]

I have to say I was not totally surprised when I first read that comment on the thread (still gotta fully read that link though). The fact the charity has a reaallllly pretty website, seems to sell a lot of trinkets to raise money, and gets so much focus in the press (Oprah even) makes me suspicious about how much of their fund-raising goes towards operational, materials and 'incidental' costs.

I think I'm just going to send my hair to one of the wig-makers listed on the Cancer Society's site. That way it's going towards wigs themselves presumably, even if they're not specifically earmarked for children, cancer patients, etc (probably anyone, including the elderly, who need a wig for various reasons).

*Laughs* I had thought of making dolls or stuffed toys with real hair. I think if I tried to sell on eBay I'd be too tempted to keep the money rather than give it to charity. Though I think they would permit hair selling on eBay because it's not really like a valuable, living organ that could lead to all kinds of legal issues since it can't be guaranteed where it came from. That and it regularly is discarded by your body; unlike a limb or kidney (well, maybe some people are apt to shed a pancreas or toe regularly, but, not me!!)

[beetlecat.livejournal.com]

I couldn't pay much, but I'm going to need hair for the eventual revamp of my Red XIII costume. His mane just can't be done with fur.

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... I wouldn't say no. Of course I'm not ready to hack it off yet, or any time soon, but drop me a line when you're doing your revamp, maybe we can talk.

[coyoty.livejournal.com]

There actually is a black market for hair. A recent article (http://stuff.co.nz/3932475a4560.html) tells how thieves have started cutting it off people as if they were stealing purses.

[lightgreendryad.livejournal.com]

I'm not surprised. People ask me all the time to give my hair to Locks of Love. I might, aye, but only if I've got it long enough so I can cut it at my shoulders...

In my opinion, there are way too many people who grow their hair out just to donate it. It's a common practice. Everyone asks me whether I'm going to donate it, and it's always Locks of Love. Even if I WERE going to donate it, I like the other options better just because they're less common. But I don't plan to at this point. People who just grow their hair out just for the sake of growing it because they think it looks beautiful is rare.