February is Locks of Love Month!
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from medical hair loss. The GS HAIR team was asked to participate by a client and has given tirelessly every year since we opened. Every year since 2006, the event has gotten bigger and hair donations continue to , wait for it… grow.
We finally opened our doors to Locks of Love as an annual event every February, and became an authorized Locks of Love Salon. You can now call the salon, and ask for a Locks of Love Appointment. We felt it gave us more time to focus on our clients and deliver the level of service we felt you deserve. Donor’s hair must be clean, dry and at least 10” or longer from a ponytail. Donor’s hair will be cut, blow-dryed and and styled free-of-charge by our team of master stylists. Look for our annual event every February! And Thank you, from The GS HAIR Professional Styling Team!
Frequently asked questions about Locks of Love:
1. Tell me about Locks of Love.
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children, suffering from medical hair loss. They use the donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics.
2. How did GS Hair get involved?
In 2007, a local high school student approached us, asking us to help her. (Mary Luc), now a Berkeley Student, organized our first years’ drive as her senior class project. It went so well, and touched so many people, we decided to make it an annual event.
3. What are the requirements to donate?
Your hair must be 10” from a ponytail at the base of the head. Layered hair can be donated if the longest piece is 10”. Colored and permed hair can be donated. Curly hair can be pulled straight to measure 10”. Hair is needed from men and women, young and old, all colors and races.
4. I’m so nervous! What happens the day of my appointment?
Jitters are normal and we are very good and making you feel comfortable. There is never any pressure! Come a few minutes early and enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of hot coffee. The atmosphere in the salon is very fun and always supportive!
Donors should come with clean dry hair. We will band it, cut it and bag it. Then, we give you a luxurious shampoo, precision haircut and smashing new style! Friends and family are encouraged to come as support. We take before and after photos too!
5. Isn’t it pretty scary cutting off year’s worth of hair?
It is emotional! We have quite a few tears during donation appointments. I think the feeling of giving something so selfless makes up for the temporary loss. We can re-grow our hair-others cannot.
6. Any recommendations to prepare?
Enlist the support of your friends and family. Bring photos of short hair styles that you like. Our stylists want you to look fabulous and feel good about your contribution!
7. You don’t just cut and run?
No, no one leaves with wet hair. You get full-service from our professional styling team. Every member of our staff is ‘tested’ in to the team. They must demonstrate an absolute mastery of their skills in cut and color before being invited to join. We wouldn’t put you in a chair we wouldn’t sit in ourselves.
8. Can children donate?
Yes! Surprisingly, Locks of Love estimates that 80% of donations come from children who wish to help other children! It’s a great way for them to contribute.
9. What about those who wish to help but whose hair isn’t long enough?
You can always stop by and write a check. No contribution is too small and we send donations right along with the hair. 100% of these proceeds go to Locks of Love.
10. What do you charge for the service?
Nothing, nada, zip, zero, zilch. We organize and run the event every February to give back to the community that gives so much to us. If we make a new friend or new client in the process, well that’s just gravy.
GS HAIR is located at 2415 Walnut Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608. You can pre-book your Locks-of-Love appointment for February by calling the front desk at (916) 481-2340. http://gshair.com We’re open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-7. After hours, special events and extended holiday hours & days by appointment. We are located in the Southgate Glass building, just South of El Camino on Walnut Avenue in central Carmichael. We can’t wait to meet you!
