Hair Aid - Hair donation, India

06/03/2022

HAIR DONATION REQUIREMENTS OF HAIR AID
HOW CAN I DONATE MY HAIR.

HAIR AID REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES FOR HAIR DONATION

Hair donation is needed from men and women, young and old, all colors and races. Anyone can cut your hair as long as the guidelines are followed.

If you would like to donate your hair, please follow proper procedure so that your donated hair can be used.

Hair that is fallen on the floor while cutting & then collected or swept from the floor is not usable at all.

Hair that is shaved off and not tied in a ponytail or braid is not usable to make wigs / hairpieces of the quality that we make.

The type of hair that we use to make wigs has its cuticle intact and which has been stored to maintain root to tip alignment. The cuticle layers of the hair strands are all facing in the same direction from root to end just like your natural hair on the scalp and, therefore, do not tangle.

If the cuticle is left and the roots ends alignment mixed up, the scales on the cuticle would oppose and pull each other causing tangling. Every strand of hair has a coarse cuticle, which clings to the cuticle of the neighboring hair when they are facing in the opposite direction. In effect hair is twisting and intertwining into a hair clump which is difficult to comb out.

It can also be heat styled and colored to match to your own hair colour or highlighted / low lighted easily.

Hair must be divided into multiple braids / ponytails of small sections before cutting or shaving.

Put your hair into braids / ponytails, securing them with elastic bands along the length of the ponytail at approx, four inch intervals. You could also plait your hair to cut.

Layered hair is acceptable if the shortest layer is 12 inches. Layered hair may be divided into multiple ponytails.

PREPARING YOUR HAIR FOR DONATION

DO:
• use a conditioner after every wash to help keep hair moisturized and protected against damage
• use a spray, leave-in conditioner for extra protection when using heated hair appliances
• look for new technology in your drying and styling tools to help minimize damage
• use deep-conditioning treatments once a week, or as needed, to minimize split ends and keep hair in top condition
• regular salon visits to keep hair healthy-looking and beautiful
• regular, gentle brushing to promote healthy hair growth and natural oil distribution
• use a comb with smooth, wide-set teeth to gently detangle hair, working from tip to root after hair is washed

DON'T use a brush on wet hair when you step out of the shower
DON'T attempt to blow-dry soaking wet hair immediately; to help prevent heat damage, towel-wrap your hair for 10-15 minutes and remove excess water before using a blow-dryer
DON'T overbrush hair; despite the common myth that 100 strokes a day are good for hair, this can lead to breakage
DON'T tease or back comb hair, as it can raise the cuticles, making them fragile and susceptible to breakage.

Please write your details on a separate sheet of paper including your full name, Age, Mobile & landline nos. , email address and postal address with your ponytail donation. All hair donations should be mailed or couriered to Hair Aid address.

1. Donated hair must be atleast 15 inches long (measured from just above the elastic band of the ponytail to the ends). Do not waste time & call to check if hair less than 15 inches is acceptable.
2. Hair that has been bleached, lightened, permanently colored or chemically treated and damaged is not accepted. However it may be colored with vegetable dyes (henna) and semi permanent dyes. (If unsure, ask your hair stylist).
3. Gray hair can be also accepted if it is free from use of chemicals.
4. Wavy or curly hair may be stretched or straightened with iron before measuring.
5. Hair should be freshly washed, conditioned and without using any styling products before cutting for donating. If the hair is wet when it is cut then allow it to dry completely by keeping in sunlight before packing. If you let moisture stay in the hair while packing then it allows fungus to grow and it cannot be used & will be thrown off.

Hair Donation Instructions

1. Hair must be clean ( shampooed and/or conditioned ) without styling products, hairspray, or additional hair products and completely dried.

2. Divide your hair to make small sections of about 5cms by 5cms on your scalp as shown above.Tie your hair from each section tightly with a thread or rubberband. Make a normal three strand braid of every section. Making a braid will ensure that the hair does not get tangled. If your hair is thick and dense you may make more smaller sections than shown above. Hair that is not sectioned properly & pulled into one ponytail or braid without making smaller sections or partings results in a loss of up to four- fiveinches of hair.
3. Ensure that the thread or rubberband is tight around the hair to keep the hair together after cutting. If the hair comes out of the band it will not be usable. A second hair band can be placed around the middle of the braid / ponytail to help keep the hair together after cutting.
4. Ensure the thread / elastic band is just below where you want to cut your hair.
5. Measure the length of the braid / ponytail from the elastic band; make sure that the hair is at least 15 inches. Any length shorter than 15 inches is too short to be used in a ladies wig and cannot be used. There is no limit to the maximum length requirement. If your hair is not 15 inches, do not be in a hurry to donate, have patience, continue to grow your hair out.
6. Cut the hair just above the tied thread / elastic band such that the band remains on the ponytail after cutting and keeps the hair together. Do not wash or style the ponytail in any way after it has been cut off. In case the hair is wet when cut allow it to dry normally in sun before packing it.
7. We also accept old wigs, falls, hair extensions made of Human hair only.
8. Place the ponytail, kept intact and completely dry, in plastic bag. Hair that is swept off the floor is not usable. Place the plastic bag with the ponytail in a padded or plastic envelope.

How do I pack my cut hair donation to send it to you?
The cut hair / ponytails need to be completely dry before they are couriered / mailed to Hair Aid.

Place the ponytail in a plastic or self sealing bag, and then inside a padded or laminated envelope. Be sure to include the hair donor’s name, s*x, age, address, mobile phone number, e-mail, on a separate sheet of paper inside the envelope along with the donated hair.

Do not pack hair in a box & make a large pack.

This is to avoid the donated hair package being sent back as it cannot be dropped through the letter hole on the door when no one is present to accept it personally.

Where do I have to send my hair donation?

Please include on a separate sheet of paper your full name, Age, Mobile & landline nos. , email address and postal address with your hair donation.

Our website is updated every week. this is the correct address to send the hair donation. DO NOT CALL OR SEND EMAILS TO WASTE OUR TIME TO ENQUIRE IF THIS ADDRESS IS CORRECT. It is a matter of common sense that we would definitely not give a wrong address on the website.

Please do not come personally or send someone to our address with the hair donation as very often no one is present at our address due to other professional business commitments. Whenever you courier the hair donation we send someone to pick it from the courier company office whenever it suits us if we were not available to take it at the time of delivery.

Please DO NOT use the Government of India Postal department services ( Speed Post ) OR REGISTERED POST as they are not customer friendly. They ask me to collect the package from the post office which is far from my address & I am unable to do it during their working hours. The courier package sent by you is then returned undelivered & goes back to the sender whenever there is no one to accept it at our address.

Many hair donors have informed me that the hair donation package is returned goes back. The courier company informs that Hair Aid has shifted to other place.

Please note that the address given on the website, where you send the hair donation package is a flat that owned by me so I will be at this adress forever.

I work for the media & entertainment industry and I am not present at the address all the time. Most of the regular courier staff drop the parcel through the door even if it is locked.

Mention the word " DROP " on the package in big bold letters. They will drop it off even if no one is there to accept it.

Working Hours & Holidays

We can accept courier packages only during working hours between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.( Indian Standard Time).

Hair Aid is closed on SUNDAY, Bank Holidays & Maharashtra State Government Holidays

All hair donations must be couriered / sent by post to

Hair Aid ( Yatin Deshpande ),

Ganesh Apartments, Flat No. 1, Ground Floor,

Plot no.40, Pandurang Wadi, Road No. 3,

Goregaon East, Mumbai 400 063, INDIA.

No enquiries are answered on the phone.

The phone number is given for the courier company staff to contact us and not for making telephonic enquiries.

04/02/2021

Today, February 4 is, World Cancer Day. Cancer is a critical health and human issue.
Since 2005, I am helping poor Cancer patients, especially women, with free wigs made with donated hair through my personal social initiative "Hair Aid".
This day is an International awareness day, a global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). By raising worldwide awareness, improving education and catalysing personal, collective and government action, we're working together to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equal for all - no matter who you are or where you live.
Each year, hundreds of activities and events take place around the world, gathering communities, organisations and individuals in schools, businesses, hospitals, marketplaces, parks, community halls, places of worship - in the streets and online - acting as a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in reducing the global impact of cancer.
This year's World Cancer Day's theme, 'I Am and I Will', is all about you and your commitment to act. I believe that through our positive actions, together we can reach the target of reducing the number of premature deaths from cancer and noncommunicable diseases by one third by 2030.
Created in 2000, World Cancer Day has grown into a positive movement for everyone, everywhere to unite under one voice to face one of our greatest challenges in history.
Stand with me for a Cancer-free world. Our time to act is now.

19/10/2020

Giving is not just about making a donation. It's about making a real difference to someone's life. By donating your hair you make a difference to someone's life. Make a difference. Love is in the hair.

05/10/2020

October is breast Cancer awareness month.
I am reposting this article which had appeared in Femina to inspire others to donate their hair.

This mother-daughter duo went short to donated their hair to a cancer charity.

01/10/2020

Hair Aid would like to make it clear and inform hair donors that the hair you spent months/years growing and decided to donate for a "worthy cause" is never used by us to make wigs which are later sold to other clients. Hair Aid DOES NOT, under any circumstances, use the donated hair in a dishonest way for commercial, profitable use as it violates the fundamental purpose of our aim.
I, Yatin Deshpande, have no hesitation in informing hair donors or those who intend to donate their hair later, that in case you have any doubts about whether the donated hair will be used for hair loss patients or used to make wigs for sale, please do not send your hair donation to us. I do not entertain any queries over the phone or e-mail about the use of the donated hair. We prefer to utilise the maximum time we can spare to help those who need the benefit of our expertise & experience and not waste time trying to convince people who may donate hair once in a while about my cause. I do not want to deal with anyone who has slightest doubt about our intention.
The cost of making the wigs is borne by me, Yatin Deshpande the founder of Hair Aid. Hair Aid does not take any monetary donations & has no other sponsors. The wigs are given free only to poor & economically weak patients. Hair Aid or Yatin Deshpande does not make any profit from this initiative.The wigs made with donated hair are given free of cost by Hair Aid to help the poor & economically weak patients undergoing hair loss due to various medical conditions like chemotherapy, radiation due to cancer, Alopecia Areata, lupus, burn victims, thyroid or other dermatological conditions.

13/09/2020

Gurusha Raskar, has donated her hair for the 3rd time to Hair Aid.
Thank you .

16/07/2019

HAIR DONATION REQUIREMENTS OF HAIR AID
HOW CAN I DONATE MY HAIR.

HAIR AID REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES FOR HAIR DONATION

Hair donation is needed from men and women, young and old, all colors and races. Anyone can cut your hair as long as the guidelines are followed.

If you would like to donate your hair, please follow proper procedure so that your donated hair can be used.

Hair that is fallen on the floor while cutting & then collected or swept from the floor is not usable at all.

Hair that is shaved off and not tied in a ponytail or braid is not usable to make wigs / hairpieces of the quality that we make.

The type of hair that we use to make wigs has its cuticle intact and which has been stored to maintain root to tip alignment. The cuticle layers of the hair strands are all facing in the same direction from root to end just like your natural hair on the scalp and, therefore, do not tangle.

If the cuticle is left and the roots ends alignment mixed up, the scales on the cuticle would oppose and pull each other causing tangling. Every strand of hair has a coarse cuticle, which clings to the cuticle of the neighboring hair when they are facing in the opposite direction. In effect hair is twisting and intertwining into a hair clump which is difficult to comb out.

It can also be heat styled and colored to match to your own hair colour or highlighted / low lighted easily.

Hair must be divided into multiple braids / ponytails of small sections before cutting or shaving.

Put your hair into braids / ponytails, securing them with elastic bands along the length of the ponytail at approx, four inch intervals. You could also plait your hair to cut.

Layered hair is acceptable if the shortest layer is 12 inches. Layered hair may be divided into multiple ponytails.

PREPARING YOUR HAIR FOR DONATION

DO:
• use a conditioner after every wash to help keep hair moisturized and protected against damage
• use a spray, leave-in conditioner for extra protection when using heated hair appliances
• look for new technology in your drying and styling tools to help minimize damage
• use deep-conditioning treatments once a week, or as needed, to minimize split ends and keep hair in top condition
• regular salon visits to keep hair healthy-looking and beautiful
• regular, gentle brushing to promote healthy hair growth and natural oil distribution
• use a comb with smooth, wide-set teeth to gently detangle hair, working from tip to root after hair is washed

DON'T use a brush on wet hair when you step out of the shower
DON'T attempt to blow-dry soaking wet hair immediately; to help prevent heat damage, towel-wrap your hair for 10-15 minutes and remove excess water before using a blow-dryer
DON'T overbrush hair; despite the common myth that 100 strokes a day are good for hair, this can lead to breakage
DON'T tease or back comb hair, as it can raise the cuticles, making them fragile and susceptible to breakage.

Please write your details on a separate sheet of paper including your full name, Age, Mobile & landline nos. , email address and postal address with your ponytail donation. All hair donations should be mailed or couriered to Hair Aid address.

1. Donated hair must be atleast 15 inches long (measured from just above the elastic band of the ponytail to the ends). Do not waste time & call to check if hair less than 15 inches is acceptable.
2. Hair that has been bleached, lightened, permanently colored or chemically treated and damaged is not accepted. However it may be colored with vegetable dyes (henna) and semi permanent dyes. (If unsure, ask your hair stylist).
3. Gray hair can be also accepted if it is free from use of chemicals.
4. Wavy or curly hair may be stretched or straightened with iron before measuring.
5. Hair should be freshly washed, conditioned and without using any styling products before cutting for donating. If the hair is wet when it is cut then allow it to dry completely by keeping in sunlight before packing. If you let moisture stay in the hair while packing then it allows fungus to grow and it cannot be used & will be thrown off.

Hair Donation Instructions

1. Hair must be clean ( shampooed and/or conditioned ) without styling products, hairspray, or additional hair products and completely dried.

2. Divide your hair to make small sections of about 5cms by 5cms on your scalp as shown above.Tie your hair from each section tightly with a thread or rubberband. Make a normal three strand braid of every section. Making a braid will ensure that the hair does not get tangled. If your hair is thick and dense you may make more smaller sections than shown above. Hair that is not sectioned properly & pulled into one ponytail or braid without making smaller sections or partings results in a loss of up to four- fiveinches of hair.
3. Ensure that the thread or rubberband is tight around the hair to keep the hair together after cutting. If the hair comes out of the band it will not be usable. A second hair band can be placed around the middle of the braid / ponytail to help keep the hair together after cutting.
4. Ensure the thread / elastic band is just below where you want to cut your hair.
5. Measure the length of the braid / ponytail from the elastic band; make sure that the hair is at least 15 inches. Any length shorter than 15 inches is too short to be used in a ladies wig and cannot be used. There is no limit to the maximum length requirement. If your hair is not 15 inches, do not be in a hurry to donate, have patience, continue to grow your hair out.
6. Cut the hair just above the tied thread / elastic band such that the band remains on the ponytail after cutting and keeps the hair together. Do not wash or style the ponytail in any way after it has been cut off. In case the hair is wet when cut allow it to dry normally in sun before packing it.
7. We also accept old wigs, falls, hair extensions made of Human hair only.
8. Place the ponytail, kept intact and completely dry, in plastic bag. Hair that is swept off the floor is not usable. Place the plastic bag with the ponytail in a padded or plastic envelope.

How do I pack my cut hair donation to send it to you?
The cut hair / ponytails need to be completely dry before they are couriered / mailed to Hair Aid.

Place the ponytail in a plastic or self sealing bag, and then inside a padded or laminated envelope. Be sure to include the hair donor’s name, s*x, age, address, mobile phone number, e-mail, on a separate sheet of paper inside the envelope along with the donated hair.

Do not pack hair in a box & make a large pack.

This is to avoid the donated hair package being sent back as it cannot be dropped through the letter hole on the door when no one is present to accept it personally.

Where do I have to send my hair donation?

Please include on a separate sheet of paper your full name, Age, Mobile & landline nos. , email address and postal address with your hair donation.

Our website is updated every week. this is the correct address to send the hair donation. DO NOT CALL OR SEND EMAILS TO WASTE OUR TIME TO ENQUIRE IF THIS ADDRESS IS CORRECT. It is a matter of common sense that we would definitely not give a wrong address on the website.

Please do not come personally or send someone to our address with the hair donation as very often no one is present at our address due to other professional business commitments. Whenever you courier the hair donation we send someone to pick it from the courier company office whenever it suits us if we were not available to take it at the time of delivery.

Please DO NOT use the Government of India Postal department services ( Speed Post ) OR REGISTERED POST as they are not customer friendly. They ask me to collect the package from the post office which is far from my address & I am unable to do it during their working hours. The courier package sent by you is then returned undelivered & goes back to the sender whenever there is no one to accept it at our address.

Many hair donors have informed me that the hair donation package is returned goes back. The courier company informs that Hair Aid has shifted to other place.

Please note that the address given on the website, where you send the hair donation package is a flat that owned by me so I will be at this adress forever.

I work for the media & entertainment industry and I am not present at the address all the time. Most of the regular courier staff drop the parcel through the door even if it is locked.

Mention the word " DROP " on the package in big bold letters. They will drop it off even if no one is there to accept it.

Working Hours & Holidays

We can accept courier packages only during working hours between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.( Indian Standard Time).

Hair Aid is closed on SUNDAY, Bank Holidays & Maharashtra State Government Holidays

All hair donations must be couriered / sent by post to

Hair Aid ( Yatin Deshpande ),

Ganesh Apartments, Flat No. 1, Ground Floor,

Plot no.40, Pandurang Wadi, Road No. 3,

Goregaon East, Mumbai 400 063, INDIA.

No enquiries are answered on the phone.

Phone: Mobile : +91 99 209 45 882

The phone number is given for the courier company staff to contact us and not for making telephonic enquiries.

14/02/2019

01/10/2018

It's October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month! The key to being a Breast Cancer survivor is EARLY SCREENING! Catch it early, and fight! There are all kinds of ways to screen such as self-examination, mammograms, ultrasounds, or a biopsy. Be prepared, and take care of your body!

01/09/2018

September is Alopecia Awareness Month!!
Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that affects 2% of the world's population. It targets the hair follicles resulting in hair loss. Alopecia can result in patchy bald areas (alopecia areata), total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) to complete hair loss (alopecia universalis).
Alopecia does not discriminate & people of any age can be affected by it. There is no definite cure for it as yet but only painful ineffective treatments that only treat the symptoms but not the disease. Most people who suffer from alopecia live their lives in shame and hiding. Imagine waking up one morning and finding a patch or many patches of missing hair, unable to control the hair loss and the change to your appearance. Hair may grow back only fall out again, over and over. Only by creating awareness and education can those living with this disease live a dignified life. That is my aim & I provide free wigs to POOR patients through my social initiative Hair Aid.
Read details on my website
www.hairaid.org.in & I shall provide free wigs if they are eligible.

17/05/2018

Hi everyone, we don't use Facebook messenger for communication, we only reply to emails, if the information is not covered in the website.
Please read the details on the website.
Apologies to anyone who has sent facebook messages and felt ignored.