OUR PROSTHESES
Benefits to Children
Locks of Love is committed to providing the highest
quality hair prostheses (hairpieces) to every
child suffering from long term or permanent medical
hair loss. The hair prostheses provided are custom-made
from donated ponytails and would retail between
$3,500 and $6,000. Locks of Love provides them
for free or on a sliding scale, based on financial
need. These prostheses are different from synthetic
hairpieces because they form a vacuum seal, and
do not require the use of tape or glue. Only the
wearer of the prosthesis may remove it, by breaking
the vacuum seal at the temples. Children can dismiss
insecurities about classmates pulling off their
hairpiece, or losing it during sports. They can
also swim and shower with it in place. Wigs do
not provide these needs for every day activities
of active children. This sense of security allows
the children to get back their self confidence
and be kids again.
A Solution for Long Term or Permanent Hair Loss
The prostheses provided are designed to be worn by children suffering from long term or permanent hair loss. The vacuum fit can only function when there is total hair loss and no re-growth occurring. Children with long term or permanent hair loss who have not experienced total hair loss may shave any existing hair so they can begin the molding process. The entire process of receiving a hairpiece takes between four and six months.
To view possible causes of long term or permanent hair loss, please click here. |
Manufacturing Process
When a child is accepted into the program, the
manufacturing process begins. A molding kit and
instructional DVD are sent to show parents how
to make a plaster cast mold of the child's head.
From this mold, a plastic fitting cap is made.
This custom fitting cap is what provides the vacuum
seal function. The child is able to choose the
color and length of the hair they would like as
well as the skin tone color of the silicone base.
Each prosthesis requires between 6 and 10 ponytails
and each strand of hair is hand injected into
the silicone base up to 150,000 times. Once the
prostheses are provided, each child may style
it to compliment their facial features. Children
ages 6 to 18 can reapply for a new prosthesis
every 18 months.
A Solution for Short Term Hair Loss
In cases where children are experiencing short term hair loss, usually due to chemotherapy treatments, they require a more immediate answer to their needs. These recipients would receive a synthetic hairpiece in lieu of a prosthesis. These synthetic hairpieces are made especially for children and can be provided quickly and worn during re-growth. The production time of a prosthesis is prohibitive in meeting these immediate needs, and also cannot be worn effectively once hair begins to re-grow.
Children Under Age Six
With children under six, we provide synthetic hairpieces because they will outgrow their custom vacuum fitted hairpiece very quickly. Like the prostheses we provide, we have an arrangement with a synthetic hairpiece manufacturer of the highest quality.
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