Where should you donate your hair?

A handful of charities provide hair to those suffering from hair loss. The most popular is Locks of Love, which has come under fire recently after a nonprofit watchdog claimed the group only uses about a third of hair donated. For its part, Locks of Love has claimed that hair is discarded if it’s too short, gray or processed.

Anyone who is interested in donating hair should do their homework on hair donation charities — who they serve, what they charge and the requirements for donation.

Here is a quick rundown of information from the organizations’ websites.

Wigs for Kids

Who they serve: Children with diagnosed hair loss from cancer treatment, burns or other medical conditions

Cost to recipient: Free

Requirements for donation:

• Hair must be a minimum of 12 inches.

• Hair cannot be chemically processed or colored.

• Natural color or highlights that wash out are accepted.

• No gray hair.

• Hair must be completely dry before mailing.

• Clean hair.

For more information: wigsforkids.org.

Locks of Love

Who they serve: Children with diagnosed hair loss. Most clients suffer from alopecia areata. Others have experienced hair loss from radiation therapy and chemotherapy, severe burns or trauma, and various other genetic and dermatological conditions.

Cost to recipient: Hairpieces and repairs are free of charge or on a sliding scale based on the financial need of those responsible for the children.

Requirements for donation:

• 10 inches minimum used for hairpieces.

• Gray hair, colored and permed hair are accepted.

• Highlighted hair is not accepted.

• Hair must be sent in a ponytail.

• Hair cut years ago is accepted as long as it is in a ponytail.

For more information: www.locksoflove.org.

Children With Hair Loss

Who they serve: Children with all forms of medical hair loss.

Cost for recipient: Free.

Requirements for donation:

• Hair should be at least 8 inches in length or longer is preferred.

• Hair must be clean and dry, pony-tailed and/or braided (this keeps the hair in one direction).

• Place rubberband or ponytail holder on each end.

• Non-chemically treated hair is preferred (but any hair in good condition will be accepted).

• Gray hair is accepted.

For more information: www.childrenwithhairloss.us

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Who they serve: Women battling cancer.

Cost for recipient: The wigs are distributed through select American Cancer Society wig banks, free of charge to women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments.

Requirements for donation:

• Minimum length of 8 inches.

• No dyes, bleaches or chemicals.

• No more than 5 percent gray.

For more information: www.pantene.com.