Should I go through with it????

I just made an appt for Monday May 12th.....to get 10" of my hair cut off! (It’s for a GREAT cause….Locks of Love…..so I should be extremely excited….but I’m scared to death!!!)


I was fine (and excited over the idea) until they just called to confirm the time with me…which makes it permanent….. so now I’m starting to get sick to my stomach over it….I’ve always had long hair….(right now it’s to the middle of my back…so to get the min of 10” for Locks of love it’s going to be really short prob Jaw line level)

I’m the heaviest (weight wise) as I have ever been….so really not the right time to go for a SHORT hair do!!! But …. All I do with this hair is pull it up into a half pony tail anyway, (which gives me a headache from the weight and constant pulling of my hair)

Not to mention BF really likes my long hair…..

You wouldn’t think getting your hair cut would be such a scary thing….but I am literally feeling like I’m having an anxiety attack right now!

Yikes!!!

If you're scared, maybe cancel the appointment for now. You can always get your hair cut later; you can't undo it once it's done.

Hair grows back.

You'll probably be surprised at how much easier it is to care for, how light it feels, and it will have more movement.

Close your eyes and do it. It will make a cancer patient very happy.

Deanna-

If you're not comfortable with it - I wouldn't do it. Especially if *you think* it won't be flattering. I can't find a link right now, but I know there has been some bad press on locks of love (i.e. they sell most of the hair they get).

Just my 2 cents.

CA

20 years ago I got the first haircut I'd had since I was 9 years old. My hair was hip length. It was terrifying! But I was ready, too. The stylist asked me if I was sure. I was. I had it cut shoulder length then - now it's short, and it's so easy and light I can't imagine doing anything else. I'd like a change... but then I think about having to do something other than run my fingers through my hair after a shower, and change my mind :p

It's okay to be scared. If you're not sure, then don't, but it's okay to be scared.

ETA: I had mine cut at some big salon event where a stylist from New York came in, and they were doing makeovers, the whole deal. I went with a girlfriend - but the bottom line is I trusted the guy with the scissors. And he lived up to my trust, definitely. I've had some really awful haircuts in my life - the first being the aforementioned one at 9 years old that traumatized me so badly I didn't get another haircut for 18 years - so if you don't trust the stylist who's going to be doing it, that is a reason to back out and at least do some more checking around.

Short hair is so liberating! If you really want to do this, have a stiff one (I mean a drink), go in and do it. I went through this when I was 21, I was petrified beforehand, and when I finally did it I thought "What was I so afraid of, and why did I put up with this mess all these years?"

If you really want to keep your hair long, reschedule the appointment for 6 weeks away and think about it.

I guess if you'll regret it, don't do it.

I've grown my hair out 3 times for Locks of Love (and each time I've gone to a guy that charges me $75 for just the cut because I trust him to make it look good- otherwise for trims I go to Super Cuts for $13). It makes me feel so happy each time I get to send it in because I have to go to the website to get the address and I see all the pictures of the bald children smiling with their new hair made just for them (boy, that was a run-on big time). It'll make you feel so good to do something so nice for a child.

I, too, am the heaviest I've been in many, many years. I just got my hair all chopped off a few months ago. I, too, had just been pulling it back. I was so excited to have my new short do. It is actually more flattering for my face and I look younger, to boot.

You have to decide for yourself, so go with your gut. I don't think you'll regret a chance to help a child and to get a great new style!

Oh I think this a good cause. You'll probably find having less hair to deal with somewhat liberating. And really, if you don't like it, as my mother always said, "It's just hair; it will grow."

Go for it! I think it is great. And it is for a Very good cause. I know a few people who have benefited from people's donated hair. Yours will grow back, there's won't. It is just hair! No regrets! This is a very good thing!;)

My hair was always down to my butt, now it is VERY short. I love how easy it is to maintain, but I do look better with long hair. I am just way too active to go long again. Too many sports that require helmets and it was just too hot. I love the freedom I have now with short hair. It is for a great cause, and it will grow back.

Brenda

I had a nightmare last night that I cut my hair and had huge regrets, so I'm commenting with that fresh in my mind. If you have an upcoming event where you're going to be photgraphed, I wouldn't do it. If you're just living your normal life, and it's not that big a deal if you hate it, go for it. If you're going to feel awful if your husband hates it, don't do it. If you don't care what he thinks, go for it.

It's a good cause, but if you're going to feel bad, just donate some money to charity instead. There are plenty of good causes that won't take a toll on your self esteem.

OK - some facts on Locks of Love:

They sell a LOT of the hair they get. It doesn't necessarily go into a wig.

They also DO NOT MAKE wigs from human hair for kids with cancer. Only alopecia.

From Wikipedia:
Locks of Love has received criticism for its practice of selling donated hair, rather than using it in wigs as the donors expect. According to a 2003 report by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, in 2002 alone Locks of Love had raised over $150,000 by selling donated hair and had received another $213,000 in charitable contributions and grants, but provided only 113 human-hair and 39 synthetic wigs.

Locks of Love representatives are frequent guests on The Oprah Winfrey Show and other daytime television shows, where they provide haircuts to guests and audience members. Though the representatives and show hosts normally suggest that the hair collected during the show will go into a wig, that the wigs are given free of charge to children with cancer, neither of these outcomes are guaranteed

If you want to cut it, cut it. But I WOULD NOT make a donation based upon what they would do with the hair.

CA

Charity Navigator rates them four stars. According to their latest IRS filings, they spent over 90% of revenues on program expenses. That's a very high percentage. They're not listed on Charity Watch, though - which isn't necessarily a bad sign, but if they were, it would mean that they'd been through the American Institute of Philanthropy's more extensive review process.

Honestly? I'd never heard of the "Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance," and they don't have a current report on Locks of Love. Note that the Wikipedia article has no citations for the Better Business Bureau report. As an overall organization, I don't consider BBB to be much more trustworthy than Wikipedia. The Wikipedia article also acknowledges that "Hair that is less than ten inches or grey is separated from the donations and sold to offset manufacturing costs." If most of their donations come in-kind as hair, obviously they need cash to meet their operating expenses, and selling some of the donated hair would be a way to get that cash.

If you have a financial advisor, they should have access to the detailed reports from GuideStar and AIP. I personally don't know anything about Locks of Love, and it's always good to be skeptical when considering a donation, but these are the resources I normally use to check out a charity.

I had mine chopped off for Locks of Love and it was weird but I was ok with that. When I went in to have it done I had trepidations but overall felt good about it. It's almost to my butt again but I'm having trouble letting go. I was glad to have done it and will do it again....I just want to enjoy having it again for a little bit longer...I really missed it while it was gone. Though it was nice how little time it took to dry, not sitting on it, someone else not sitting on it, cooler in the summer, etc. Still....I missed it, it's my one and only nod towards being my version of girly.
If your hair doesn't fit the criteria listed, such as greyed, colored, permed, etc, then I wouldn't do it since they prolly wouldn't use it anyway.

There's also Wigs for Kids (min 12", grey ok) and Pantene's Beautiful Lengths (min 8", can be up to 5% grey).

Imdeanna - I had long hair, fine but lots of it, donated 13 inches to Locks of Love, and I still have shoulder length hair. If your hair is heavy enough to give you a headache, then cut it. On the initial cut, I still wanted longer hair, and asked that I would still be able to put it up in a pony tail for working out - which is how 13 inches got cut off. I couldn't go to short hair after having hair below my waist. It's amazing the weight off your head when it's cut, feels much better. I doubt I'll ever grow it real long again. So, get it cut, but you can stil have a longer style.

Back when I was married, and I had long hair, I was also working outside a lot, in the deserts of Arizona. Hubby liked my long hair, objected to the concept of a hair cut, but I had it cut anyway. Told him it was my head, and I'm hot! He adjusted.

I own a salon that cuts for free on behalf of locks of love. I was disappointed that they are not giving out thank you cards anymore and not giving salons the free advertising on their website to find us that they once used to. It's mostly kids who donate and I think they should be rewarded! I know they sell a lot of the hair donated. Not sure to who.

I contacted LOL about doing a specific fundraiser for a local child here who needed a wig and they would not even write back. I sent a envelope of letters requesting help and nothing. I sent emails, nothing. :(

I think they are a great cause, but not sure who's running it now and what their intentions are....I am disappointed.

If you are going to cut off enough to make a drastic change and are apprehensive - DO NOT DO IT. Wait until you hair is longer so the change won't be that noticeable. Anything over 6" is usually too drastic if you aren't ready. I see women cry all the time when they shock sets in. It grows back but hair usually only grows a half to one inch a month. It could take a year to come back. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by activediva

It could take a year to come back. ;)

---

You make a year sound like a long time.
You must be very young;)

You are awesome Zen!

But bad hair years are kinda like "dog years"....(or longer!) ;)

Last night, while soaking in the tub....I glanced at my floating hair and got a very good feeling about donating my hair.....a calming affirmation that this is what I want to do.

I do completely trust the stylist, and am actually very excited to see what he does for me.....He's well known for looking at ones face features/shape/lifestyle and just creating the best doo.... I'm also going to get a couple colors thrown in.....to really update myself :) So that part is the exciting part for me...

Like 'singletrackmind' mentioned....my long hair has been the ONE 'girly' thing about me.....but honestly I am bored with it....and it's getting so long now that I think it's kind of looking stringy...so I haven't been all that happy about the way it looks lately, which is why I've worn it with the sides pulled into a pony tail for the last 6 months STRAIGHT!! :eek:

So not sure why I'm scared to do this.....maybe just a a fear of the unknown. :o

Here's a funny thing I just realized:

Here is a pic of me and my family last October.....(This is the SAME OLE EVERYDAY hair pulled back doo)

from the front, I look like I have SUPER short hair anyway!!

So really...from the front view...it probably won't be any different anyway!!!! lol.....

Beautiful family!

Sounds like you've made your decision. I'm sure you will be beautiful no matter what your hair looks like. It's just hair.

Karen

reading through this I had a ton of thougts:

* it is just hair..it grows back (on most!) my G-ma had cancer and it was the best gift ever when she received a "natural" wig

* it is just hair...if you are healthy it will grow back...be thankful you have the opportunity to grow it back

* what makes long hair girly anymore?

* why bother having long hair when you pull it back all the time?

* it is just hair...it will grow back.

* if you have a stylist you speak so highly of...why worry?

I just cut mine off for Locks of Love...will post some pics when I finally get a pic of my new short hair!

I am glad you came to peace with the cutting...and remember the time it takes to grow it back is fractions of the happiness it will bring someone!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bouncybouncy

* why bother having long hair when you pull it back all the time?


I just cut mine off for Locks of Love...will post some pics when I finally get a pic of my new short hair!

!!!!

---

Exactly what I have thought...whats the point of long hair if I always have it pulled back!!!


and I would LOVE to see your before and after pic's of long hair gone short!!!!

DeAnna... cut it... and get a spiffy new style that will make you feel and look years younger. You will really enjoy having a LIGHT head and not having headaches from pony tails.

I know it's very easy as women to get attached to our hair and long hair at that.

I think you will be surprised at how much better you will look with an actual style for your hair.

Good luck and post up pictures after you get it done!

I've just spent the past 18 months growing my hair long for my wedding in April, in January this year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and started chemotherapy in March. a week before my wedding I had to cut the last wisps of my hair off :mad: (I had a wicked comb over going on :o :o ) That was probably the hardest emotionally thing that I did .... but I got a cool wig and my hair will grow back :)

Anyway the point of my post was that as someone who has benefited from different cancer charities, I really appreciate peoples generousity doing things like that, so I say go for it !!! It'll cool to have different style and it will grow back quicker than you think......:) :)

Mind you as a post scripe to this message, anyone got a really good ideas how to keep my bald head warm under my bike hat ??? it's going into winter here and I'm trying to cycle between chemo session, but I get so cold !

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MillieNZ

I've just spent the past 18 months growing my hair long for my wedding in April, in January this year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and started chemotherapy in March. a week before my wedding I had to cut the last wisps of my hair off :mad: (I had a wicked comb over going on :o :o ) That was probably the hardest emotionally thing that I did .... but I got a cool wig and my hair will grow back :)

Anyway the point of my post was that as someone who has benefited from different cancer charities, I really appreciate peoples generousity doing things like that, so I say go for it !!! It'll cool to have different style and it will grow back quicker than you think......:) :)

Mind you as a post scripe to this message, anyone got a really good ideas how to keep my bald head warm under my bike hat ??? it's going into winter here and I'm trying to cycle between chemo session, but I get so cold !

---

Oh MillieNZ (((((HUGS)))))

by comparison of what you have/are going thru, it makes me embarrased to think that getting my hair cut constitutes as a 'stressful' issue!!


On the note of something to wear on your head....I just bought a few 'caps' today at http://www.dowrap.com/ they have free shipping...AND if you use coupon code "IPMBA " You get an ADDITIONAL 25% off the head wraps!!!

they have mosture wicking ones for hot days....and winter ones for colder days. and some are pretty stylish!!!

the Wickie wear are made specifically for women, so they are a bit smaller for a better fit!!! :)

Imdeanna:

You have a good face shape for a diverse range of haircuts. A haircut might actually lift a bit of natural wave in your hair. (At least to me, it looks like natural wave in your long hair.)

Just make sure you choose a cut that is minimal blow-drying, etc. and easy when you cycle!
Your hair colour looks good in the photo.

And over time, you will appreciate a hair stylist, particularily those who are experienced and cut hair with precision.

Think about your haircut as priority decision instead of the donation, since it is a change for you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MillieNZ

Mind you as a post scripe to this message, anyone got a really good ideas how to keep my bald head warm under my bike hat ??? it's going into winter here and I'm trying to cycle between chemo session, but I get so cold !

---

Smartwool skull cap. They are amazing.

D --- You have a pretty face, which will make a short style look wonderful on you! If I had the face for it, I would cut mine short.

It was a wonderful experience!!! I really enjoyed my 2 hours at this Salon!
Here's the results: Before........and After...........

Oh....and I was able to donate 12" !!!!

Wow!! DeAnna it looks fabulous. I didn't see you without your helmet on Saturday to see f you went ahead. I love it. What does BF think?

Good job on the ride Saturday!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wahine

Wow!! DeAnna it looks fabulous. I didn't see you without your helmet on Saturday to see f you went ahead. I love it. What does BF think?

Good job on the ride Saturday!!

---

Thanks! I did still have my hair on Saturday....just got the cut done last night! :)

Wasn't the weather GREAT for Saturday's ride? Loved it!!! :) :)

Can't wait until next year....when I go the entire way w/you guys!!!! :)

DeAnna, it looks great! It is so cute! I keep my hair short now too and love the freedom of it. I use to just keep it in a bun when it was long, what fun was that? Enjoy the new look!

Love the new hair - much more than the old - but any hair would look good on you - you're a very pretty lady!

and, what a nice thing to donate your hair to locks of love. It's a wonderful charity

spoke

Yay! You look mahhh-velous!

DeAnna! Looks great! So classy and sophisticated! I had my hair cut several years back. It was at the backs of my knees!!!! And I told the lady I wanted it cut to about bra strap (you know, where it goes around your back) height. She cut it shoulder length. After the shock of it all I was thrilled to see how much curl my hair suddenly had. I've kept it pretty short since. Well, ok, shoulder length to me is short. I do love the ease of it when it's at it's shortest though. It's so much easier to take care of. And I'm a wash and wear girl who gets her hair cut once a year whether I need it or not! :D Good for you!

It's totally charming!!! From straggly to sweet :D

Wow, that really looks good on you!

Your new style is sooooo cute on you! :) You have beautiful hair and someone will be very lucky to receive your locks. http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/i...nocent0006.gif