The impact of donating your ponytails for cancer
When cancer patients go through treatment, they can lose their hair and feel a sense of identity loss. To help with this, our partners at Sustainable Salons recycle donated ponytails into charitable wigs – ensuring people with cancer can feel like themselves again.
Sustainable Salons also recycle hair that isn't long enough for wigs by turning them into hair booms which soak up oil or chemical waste in our oceans.
Discover how Sustainable Salons is contributing to the improvement of lives affected by medically induced hair loss, while also supporting the environment here.
How to cut your hair using the ponytail method
The ponytail method is an at-home technique where you section your hair into ponytails, tie it at the desired length and then cut the ponytails off. This is a good method when you are donating your ponytails and want to maintain a shorter hairstyle, such as a bob.
It also helps prepare for shaving your head if you have long hair and would like to donate the ponytails afterwards. Learn more about shaving your head for the World’s Greatest Shave today.
Cutting your ponytail at home
When cutting your ponytail at home, it’s best to have a trusted friend or family member to help you. Not only does it make the process more fun, but it also makes the entire process safer and more accurate.
Having another person to help you makes it easier to measure the exact amount of hair you wish to cut and donate. Once you have sectioned out your hair, have your helper tie your hair into ponytails and then cut it to the desired length.
Unsure if you want to cut your ponytail at home? Sustainable Salons has an easy Salon Locator where you can find salons in your area that will take of everything for you – from cutting your hair to donating it. Use the Salon Locator now.
How to cut your own ponytail
01 - Prepare your hair
Using dry, clean hair, section each ponytail 1 to 2cm down from where you want to cut. Then, plait each ponytail and tightly secure it at the end with a hair tie.
02 - Measure the ponytails
All ponytails of 20cm+ are accepted for donations; however, 36cm+ is the most ideal. Before cutting, measure the ponytails to confirm they are long enough to make wigs. If your ponytails are not 20cm+, there is no need to worry. You can still donate your hair to help the environment and create hair booms.
03 - It’s time to cut that ponytail!
The fun part is here! With the help of another, cut 1 to 2cm+ above the elastic of each ponytail. Then, deposit the ponytails into a zip lock bag, ready to be donated.
Where to send your ponytail donation
If you are donating ponytails, place them in a zip lock bag and mail in a postage envelope to the address below.
World's Greatest Shave Ponytails
c/o Sustainable Salons
GPO BOX 322 SYDNEY, NSW 2001
Sign up to the World's Greatest Shave to cut and donate your hair
Take your impact further for Australians with cancer! If you’re already planning to cut and donate your ponytail, why not fundraise for the World’s Greatest Shave? By fundraising, you’ll be supporting the Leukaemia Foundation in providing care, support and research to help the thousands of Australian families impacted by blood cancer each year.
