| LOCKS OF LOVE |
About Locks for Love
This not-for-profit organization was incorporated in December of 1997 and utilizes donated hair and resources to provide
hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children, under 18, with medical hair loss. The children receive hair prostheses free
of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.
Locks of Love strives to meet the needs of every financially disadvantaged child struggling with medical hair loss.
Approximately 2 million children throughout the U.S. suffer from alopecia areata, an auto-immune disorder that causes the
hair follicles to shut down. Out of every 10,000 births, about 7 will result in ectodermal dysplasia, another condition that can
result in permanent hair loss. More than 1.5 million people suffer from serious burns each year. Burns to the scalp often
cause permanent hair loss. Every year approximately 2,200 children under age 20 are diagnosed with brain tumors.
Radiation treatment to the brain stem as a treatment for cancer can cause permanent hair loss. About 8 million people in
the US suffer from trichotillomania, or compulsive hair-pulling. If a child suffering with disorder continues the behavior long
enough, it may also result in permanent hair loss.
Most wigs sold by retailers are made to fit adults, 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. In addition, styles of adult
wigs are not age-appropriate. Synthetic wigs can mat and fizz with excessive styling.
The hairpieces Locks of Love provides are custom-made for each child's head. They are vacuum-fitted, for use by those
with a complete loss of scalp hair. The hairpiece forms a vacuum seal, like a suction cup, and does not require adhesives.
Only the wearer of the hairpiece may remove it, by breaking the vacuum seal at the temples. Children 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
children may style it to compliment their face.
Though having a hairpiece is certainly not a cure for any of the conditions suffered by our recipients, it can help ease
some social discomforts. Appearing different from the rest of the kids at school is difficult enough, even with hair. Locks of
Love meets a unique need that goes beyond superficial beauty. The children who receive these hairpieces have lost more
than their hair; they suffer from a loss of self. Providing a hairpiece can restore some normalcy to their everyday lives that
most of us take for granted. It is our goal to provide a foundation on which they can begin to rebuild their self-esteem.
Of the millions of children in the U.S. living with different hair loss conditions, we have been able to reach over 1,200
families. Clearly, there is much work left to do. We need your help reaching those families who may need our help but are
unaware of Locks of Love.
Know Someone who wants to donate hair?
Hair donations must meet these guidelines:
10" or longer
clean and dry
bundled in a ponytail or braid
Questions & Answers
Q: What are the ages of the children Locks of Love helps?
A: Ages 6-18. Children younger than six have a much faster rate of growth, so they may outgrow a hairpiece before we can
finish making it for them. They may be eligible for a synthetic piece before the age of six.
Q: How many ponytails does it take to make a hairpiece?
A: Approximately six to 10 ponytails are used to make one hairpiece because we only use the longest lengths.
Q: How long does it take?
A: The manufacturing process takes about 4 months to complete a custom-fitted vacuum prosthesis.
Q: What is the retail cost of this hairpiece?
A: Custom, vacuum-fitted hairpieces usually range from $3,500-$6,000.
Q: What do the children pay?
A: Locks of Love gives hairpieces and repairs to children free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on the family's
financial need. All extenuating circumstances are taken into consideration. Approximately 98 percent of our recipients
receive their hairpieces for free.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Print out the application form at www.LocksofLove.org. Once it has been filled out, mail it to Case Manager/ Locks of
Love/ 2925 10th Avenue North, Ste. 102/ Lake Worth, FL 33461 along with copies of the documents they request.
This not-for-profit organization was incorporated in December of 1997 and utilizes donated hair and resources to provide
hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children, under 18, with medical hair loss. The children receive hair prostheses free
of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.
Locks of Love strives to meet the needs of every financially disadvantaged child struggling with medical hair loss.
Approximately 2 million children throughout the U.S. suffer from alopecia areata, an auto-immune disorder that causes the
hair follicles to shut down. Out of every 10,000 births, about 7 will result in ectodermal dysplasia, another condition that can
result in permanent hair loss. More than 1.5 million people suffer from serious burns each year. Burns to the scalp often
cause permanent hair loss. Every year approximately 2,200 children under age 20 are diagnosed with brain tumors.
Radiation treatment to the brain stem as a treatment for cancer can cause permanent hair loss. About 8 million people in
the US suffer from trichotillomania, or compulsive hair-pulling. If a child suffering with disorder continues the behavior long
enough, it may also result in permanent hair loss.
Most wigs sold by retailers are made to fit adults, 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. In addition, styles of adult
wigs are not age-appropriate. Synthetic wigs can mat and fizz with excessive styling.
The hairpieces Locks of Love provides are custom-made for each child's head. They are vacuum-fitted, for use by those
with a complete loss of scalp hair. The hairpiece forms a vacuum seal, like a suction cup, and does not require adhesives.
Only the wearer of the hairpiece may remove it, by breaking the vacuum seal at the temples. Children 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
children may style it to compliment their face.
Though having a hairpiece is certainly not a cure for any of the conditions suffered by our recipients, it can help ease
some social discomforts. Appearing different from the rest of the kids at school is difficult enough, even with hair. Locks of
Love meets a unique need that goes beyond superficial beauty. The children who receive these hairpieces have lost more
than their hair; they suffer from a loss of self. Providing a hairpiece can restore some normalcy to their everyday lives that
most of us take for granted. It is our goal to provide a foundation on which they can begin to rebuild their self-esteem.
Of the millions of children in the U.S. living with different hair loss conditions, we have been able to reach over 1,200
families. Clearly, there is much work left to do. We need your help reaching those families who may need our help but are
unaware of Locks of Love.
Know Someone who wants to donate hair?
Hair donations must meet these guidelines:
10" or longer
clean and dry
bundled in a ponytail or braid
Questions & Answers
Q: What are the ages of the children Locks of Love helps?
A: Ages 6-18. Children younger than six have a much faster rate of growth, so they may outgrow a hairpiece before we can
finish making it for them. They may be eligible for a synthetic piece before the age of six.
Q: How many ponytails does it take to make a hairpiece?
A: Approximately six to 10 ponytails are used to make one hairpiece because we only use the longest lengths.
Q: How long does it take?
A: The manufacturing process takes about 4 months to complete a custom-fitted vacuum prosthesis.
Q: What is the retail cost of this hairpiece?
A: Custom, vacuum-fitted hairpieces usually range from $3,500-$6,000.
Q: What do the children pay?
A: Locks of Love gives hairpieces and repairs to children free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on the family's
financial need. All extenuating circumstances are taken into consideration. Approximately 98 percent of our recipients
receive their hairpieces for free.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Print out the application form at www.LocksofLove.org. Once it has been filled out, mail it to Case Manager/ Locks of
Love/ 2925 10th Avenue North, Ste. 102/ Lake Worth, FL 33461 along with copies of the documents they request.
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