Locks of Love - Home Grown Gift from the Heart

Above, Renee Penney, of St. Peter, MN, goes through the process of donating her hair to Locks of Love. She donated 38 inches of hair weighing one pound.

Who would think something as simple as a haircut could have an impact on a child's life?

Artistry in Hair owner Natallie Phillips understands and is doing something to improve the lives of children she doesn't even know.

Through Locks of Love, a national non-profit organization, underprivileged children who have lost their hair due to an illness have the opportunity to receive a high-quality wig made with human hair.

To provide children with wigs, the group is dependent on donations of hair.

That's where Phillips and stylists from her Ramona salon step in.

On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, the stylists will offer their services, by appointment, to those wishing to donate at least 10 inches of hair to Locks of Love.

"It's my way of giving something to those children who are suffering so much," Phillips said.

Photos courtesy of Jamey Ritter

Clients who donate hair can also enjoy some refreshments, provided by the salon, while waiting for their haircut. To make a hair contribution, potential donors need hair that is at least 10 inches long from the nape of the neck.

If your hair isn't quite to that length yet, Phillips said now is the time to take prenatal vitamins and to stick to a healthy lifestyle to spark hair growth, which typically is about a quarter-inch a month.

Another important note: Hair that is color-treated is OK to donate, she said.

Also, if donors have a specific person they wish to give their hair to, visit www.locksoflove.org, where request forms are available.

Why is 10 inches of hair needed?

Since most of the children Locks of Love helps are girls, the request is usually for long hair, according to the group's Web site.

When making the custom-fitted wigs, the manufacturing process uses two inches of the hair, leaving only an eight-inch length. It takes about 10 donated ponytails to create one wig, according to the Web site.

When Locks of Love needs to manufacture a hairpiece for a boy, it uses some of the shorter lengths that have been separated by hand from each donated ponytail.

Locks of Love, which began in December 1997, provides about 2,000 hairpieces every year.

For more information, visit the Web site or call Artistry in Hair at 760-789-1231. The salon is located at 1008 D St., Ramona.

Natallie Phillips Artistry in Hair