Every day, we routinely celebrate our natural hair by choosing the best hair care products and trying the newest styles and tips. We probably never think that it’s more than a blessing being able to have styling options for our hair, or even the luxury of having hair in general. As we’re officially in Breast Cancer Awareness month, it’s good to know that as naturalistas, our hair could be someone else’s saving grace.

Whether you’ve been personally affected by breast cancer or know someone who has, donating your tresses could be your way of giving back. Here are a few tips on how you can donate your curls for the cause.

Editor’s Note: For most charities the hair length requirement is 8-12 inches and cannot be chemically treated.

5 Easy Steps to Donating Hair

1. Wash and/or condition without any styling, hairspray or additional styling products.

2. Create a ponytail at the nape of your neck and cut right above hair tie.

3. Place ponytail intact with the elastic band in a zipper-lock bag and seal tightly.

4. Research and select a charity and fill out donation form.

5. Send in your hair with the satisfaction of helping someone else look and feel good.

Although we’re celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month, here are other reputable charities and cancer causes that could use your donations as well.

•    Locks of Love, locsoflove.org

•    Wigs for Kids, wigsforkids.org

•    Children with Hair Loss, childrenwithhairloss.us

•    Pantene has their Beautiful Lengths campaign that helps provide real-hair wigs for women with cancer. Learn more at patene.com/beautifullengths

Ladies, also please be sure to get your yearly mammogram to help early detection of breast cancer, so that we all can stay healthy, fabulous and natural for as long as possible. Learn more about information about Breast Cancer Prevention and Awareness at ww5.komen.org.