Hair Aid is a not-for-profit, public service initiative founded by Yatin Deshpande, a well known Hair Stylist, Make up Artist & Cosmetologist.You can donate your long hair to cancer patients who loose their hair due to chemotherapy .
Hair Aid provide wigs for cancer patients and also victims of other illness also.The cost of making the wigs is borne by Yatin Deshpande himself. Yatin Deshpande does not take any monetary donations & has no other sponsors. The wigs are given free only to economically weak patients. Hair Aid or Yatin Deshpande does not make any profit from this initiative. Hair Aid is a personal initiative and not a registered NGO ( Non Government Organisation ).
Hair Aid aims to create more awareness about hair donation, to inspire people to grow healthy hair and donate it for a noble cause. The idea is new in India. We need to raise awareness first. Yatin Deshpande, the founder of Hair Aid, is under no illusions and knows that there is a lot of work to do if Hair Aid is to establish itself to be known. He estimates that it will take a few years of publicity before Hair Aid is firmly established, but is happy that the initiative has started. He started Hair Aid on 29th May 2013.
Website Address : www.hairaid.org.in
To qualify as a Hair Aid Wig Recipient,
- the person must be an Indian citizen and residing in India.
- the person must be financially weak. Proof of income has to be submitted.
- the person is a below poverty line ration card holder ( yellow or orange coloured ration cards)
- Experience hair loss due to as a result of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, Alopecia, lupus, burns and other medical reasons or a documented medical condition diagnosed by a doctor. Please submit application, birth certificate, doctor verification of diagnosis and photographs with and without hair. These pictures will not be shared and only Hair Aid will use them for their records.
Applications will be approved on a case by case basis and solely at the discretion of Hair Aid ONLY if you fulfil the above mentioned requirements.
If you apply and are approved to get a free wig if you fulfil the above mentioned requirements you will be informed.
In case an applicant does not get a wig we do not offer any explanation or answer questions about why the case was rejected.
For the Donars
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 and address, mobile phone number, e-mail, on a separate sheet of paper inside the envelope along with the donated hair.
Do not pack it 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 door when no one is present to accept it personally.
Please note that the address given on the website, where you send the hair donation package is a flat that owned by Yatin Deshpande. He will be at this adress forever.
He work for the media & entertainment industry and is 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
they 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 them and not for making telephonic enquiries.
They currently do not have a list of salons. Most donors are requested to go to their regular stylist with their list of instructions for how to make the cut and courier / post the donated ponytail themselves.
