Your complete guide on how to donate hair in Dubai and the UAE for patients experiencing hair loss due to treatment or illness
7 March 2023
| Last updated on 13 June 2023Help make a difference and choose to donate your hair in Dubai and the UAE!
Why real hair, you might ask? Donating your hair in the UAE goes towards providing natural hair wigs for patients who underwent chemotherapy, have alopecia, etc. and are experiencing hair loss as a side effect.
Hair loss won't just change how someone looks, it can also impact a person's mental and emotional health; and having a wig can help boost confidence.
If you have long hair and you want to make a big change to your look, or you're making the chop for charity, here is everything you need to know about where and how to donate hair in the UAE.
Requirements to donate hair
The requirements to donate hair varies depending on the non-profit organisation, such as the minimum length, but most have similar requirements such as:
- Head hair from any gender can be accepted (both men and women with long hair can donate).
- Natural hair with natural hair colours.
- Non-dyed or non-chemically treated hair are accepted (but some accept if it's in good condition).
- Hair must be tied in a ponytail or braid, with a rubber band. Cut hair at the section before the rubber band.
- Hair must be clean, dry, healthy, and taken care of.
- Layered hair can be accepted, as long as the shortest length meets the organisation's required minimum hair length.
For more information on each non-profit's requirements, we advice visiting their official website or social media to know more.
Where to donate hair in Dubai and Sharjah
Wondering where to donate hair in Dubai and Sharjah? Check out these non-profit organisations and salons working with non-profits to accept hair donations. Every donation helps in making a new, natural hair wig for patients both young and old.
1. Tips & Toes salons
Dabur Amla Hair Oil partnered with Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) for their hair donation initiative. You can donate your hair at select Tips & Toes salons across Dubai.
For more information, visit: daburamla.ae/HairDonation
2. Locks of Hope
Locks of Hope is FoCP's campaign dedicated towards providing natural hair wigs for patients who have undergone chemotherapy. FoCP also issues certificates to hair donors, which can be applied for on their website after the hair donation.
For more information, visit: focp.ae
3. Serendipity Ladies Salon and Spa
Located in Box Park, this Dubai salon works with FoCP to accept hair donations.
4. Bedashing Beauty Lounge
If you live in or near Al Barsha, Bedashing Beauty Lounge is also accepting hair donations in Dubai as part of their collaboration with FoCP.
5. Posh Signature Beauty Salon
For those who live in or are closer to Karama, consider donating your hair at this Dubai salon. All donated hair will be given to FoCP to help create natural hair wigs.
6. Legend Beauty & Spa Centre
Locks of Hope is also working with this Al Wasl Road-based Dubai salon to accept hair donations.
7. Bellefemme Salon (Business Bay)
Residents and visitors near SKZ and Business Bay can chop their locks for charity at this salon, which is also working with Locks of Hope.
8. Bedashing Beauty Lounge (Zawaya Walk)
You can donate your hair in Sharjah at Bedashing Beauty Lounge's branch located along Zawaya Walk.
9. Location Orchid Beauty Boutique
Located in Al Sharq - Al Seef, this Sharjah-based beauty salon is in agreement with FoCP to accept hair donations.
10. Supreme Council for Family Affairs
The Supreme Council for Family Affairs is another location in Sharjah that is working with FoCP to take hair donations.
Where to donate hair in Abu Dhabi
Want to make a hair donation in Abu Dhabi? These locations are currently accepting hair donations in the capital:
1. Bedashing Beauty Lounge (Khalifa City A)
This Khalifa City-based salon branch is working with FoCP to accept hair donations in Abu Dhabi.
2. Cancer Patient Care Society - Rahma
The Cancer Patient Care Society - Rahma in Abu Dhabi is a charity organisation that turns hair donations into affordable wigs for cancer patients.
For more information, visit: rahma.org.ae
Where to donate hair from anywhere in the UAE
Friends of Cancer Patients
UAE residents from any of the seven emirates can send donated hair by courier, addressed to:
Friends of Cancer Patients
Supreme Council for Family Affairs
Corniche St, Al Sharq, Al Qulaya'ah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 6 506 5542
Email: [email protected]
How to properly donate hair
Donating hair at a salon or centre
If you're heading to any of the partnered salons and beauty centres in the UAE listed above, it's likely that a hairdresser will assist you with the process. A hairdresser will usually tie your hair with a rubber band into a ponytail or braid, and then cleanly cut the locks off. From there, the salon will take care of your donated hair and hand it over to the non-profit charity.
Donating hair from home
If you plan to cut off your hair at home, the process is similar. Ensure that your hair is clean, dry, and properly combed before cutting. If you have curly or wavy hair, it's recommended to gently straighten your hair out to see just how many inches you're giving.
Tie or braid your hair, and cut your locks from the rubber band section. Without removing the rubber band, insert the hair into a sealed bag and get ready to donate it in person or send by courier.