Shaving and colouring
Do I have to Shave?
No, you can colour your hair instead. If you colour, most participants use a temporary colour spray or coloured hair wax. It washes out. Some people (mostly men) also shave or wax another part of their body, for example a beard, moustache, legs, chest or back.
How short do I have to shave?
For health and liability reasons we don’t recommend blade shaves down to the skin. We prefer Clipper No1 or No2. Many women opt for No3 or No4.
Can I set a target so I only shave when I get to $x?
Yes, you can. Commit to colouring your hair and tell your sponsors you will shave if you reach your target. That way, you are doing something to your hair whatever you raise. It also means you won’t have to give the money back if you don’t reach your target.
Can hair be donated or used to raise extra money?
Yes. Wigmakers will usually buy hair or accept it as a donation to make wigs for people who lose their hair during cancer treatment.
But it has to be 35cm or longer, plaited, tied with elastic bands at both ends (before it’s cut), be non-colour treated or bleached and in good condition.
Wigmakers are usually listed in the phone directory or at your local treatment hospital. Examples include Louis Barnett & Sons, 312 Lennox St, Richmond Vic and Kylie Clarke Wigmaking, 1 Canal Road, Leichardt NSW. It’s a good idea to include a note explaining why you’re sending the hair.
The Leukaemia Foundation cannot accept donations of hair so please do not send hair to us in the mail.
Can I wax instead?
Yes, you can use coloured wax to spike your hair.
Or you can wax your chest or legs. Waxing will not be done at public shave event however, you will need to organise that yourself.
Does my hair have to be coloured permanently?
No. Generally, participants choose to colour their hair using brightly coloured, non-permanent, spray-on colour. You’re welcome to permanently colour if you’d like to but this is completely your decision to make. Go to your local pharmacy, large retail chain (eg Kmart) or hairdresser, where there are lots of non-permanent hairspray colours to choose from.
Does the hair colour give you cancer?
Research undertaken in 2002 shows this does not apply to the temporary hair colour which is recommended for use for WGS.
Does the Leukaemia Foundation provide colour hair spray?
It is available at most public shaves or go to your local pharmacy, large retail chain or hairdresser where there are lots of non-permanent coloured hairsprays to choose from.
Where can I get hair colour?
We recommend Cinta Intense Hair Colour Sprays which are available many leading pharmacies and large retail chains. Your local hairdresser can also offer advice about colouring your hair with non-permanent coloured hairsprays and waxes.
Can I use some of the money I’ve raised to pay a hairdresser or to buy hair spray?
Your sponsors have donated money believing it will go towards the charity, so you must give it directly to the Leukaemia Foundation.
If you need a receipt for donated goods please contact the Leukaemia Foundation. Please note, Tax Office rules do not allow receipts to be written for donated services.
