What is Locks of Love?
LOCKS OF LOVE is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada who suffer from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Locks of Love meets a unique need for children by using donated hair to create custom made hair prosthetics.

Benefits to Children
The children who receive these hairpieces have lost more than their hair; they suffer from a loss of self. Many children have been teased by classmates and/or embarrassed by the attention they receive because of their hair loss. They often will withdraw from normal childhood activities such as swimming, going to the mall or even playing with their friends. While wearing a hairpiece is certainly not a cure for these children, it can help restore some of the normalcy to their everyday lives that most of us take for granted.

The Need for Children's Hair Pieces
Most wigs sold by retailers are made to fit adult heads, and are much too big for children to wear. They often require the use of tape or glue to keep them from falling off, and these adhesives can burn or irritate the scalp. Often, the styles of adult wigs are not age-appropriate and synthetic wigs can mat and frizz with excessive styling.

The hair prosthetics Locks of Love provides are custom-made from donated ponytails for each child’s head. The hairpiece forms a vacuum seal, like a suction cup, and does not require the use of tape or glue. Only the wearer of the hairpiece may remove it, by breaking the vacuum seal at the temples. Children can dismiss insecurities about classmates pulling off their hairpiece, or losing it at recess. They can swim, shower and do gymnastics – in short, they can be kids again.

Each hairpiece is made from real human hair, and arrives long, so the recipient may style it to fit their face. They retail between $3,500 to $6,000. Children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.

For complete details on the Locks of Love program, FAQ, and ways to donate, please visit their website.