Wigs for Kids is a nonprofit 501(c)3 that provides free whole-head hairpieces to children in Canada and the US under the age of 19 who are experiencing medical related hair loss.

Contact your medical provider to learn more about your child’s situation. If your child is diagnosed with alopecia, trichotillomania, or is losing hair due to cancer treatments or certain dermatological and genetic conditions, we may be able to help.

Our hairpieces are designed for whole-head coverage. We offer whole-head (full-cap) hand-tied hair replacement systems made from human hair to simulate the look of natural growth.  We do not offer partial hairpieces or toppers. If your child is experiencing partial hair loss, our hairpieces require careful consideration to accommodate existing hair.  Please contact us for further information at 440-333-4433 Option 5.

Please contact us to discuss your child’s situation to determine if we are able to meet your needs.  We can reached by phone at 440-333-4433 Option 5, or by email at recipients@wigsforkids.org.

Recipient families receive one hand-tied full-cap hairpiece, along with tools and instructions for proper care and maintenance.

If properly maintained, one of our hairpieces can last for a year or longer. Families can apply for a new hairpiece each year, as long as the medical need remains. 

All of our hairpieces from our manufacturer have a straight hair texture.  

We provide a range of colors based on our donated inventory. You will select from the available hair colors to best match your child’s needs.  We cannot guarantee it will be an exact match to your child’s natural hair color. To ensure the highest quality and durability of the hairpiece, we cannot offer highlights, lowlights, ombres, or fashion colors.

Nothing!  We provide these hairpieces free of charge to eligible children.

There are many steps involved in the process of applying for, creating, and delivering each hairpiece.  This is an involved process that takes several months to complete.

No, we are unable to expedite the process for creating your child’s hairpiece

Boys and girls under the age of 19 residing in the US or Canada with a medically diagnosed need are eligible to apply.  

You start by answering a few questions on our online application.  Our team will then review your application and schedule an intake interview, where we can further discuss your needs and our abilities.  We will partner with you and your stylist to guide you through this process.  

Time, availability, and some documents.  This is a multi-stage process that involves communication back and forth between you, our office, and your stylist.  Documents required to show proof of need include a provided medical form, legal age document (such as birth certificate, visa, passport, state ID), a current color photo of the child showing hair loss, and either a color photo of the child prior to hair loss, or picture showing a preferred hairstyle. 

We will work with you to find a trained stylist to properly fit and style your child’s hairpiece.  

Please choose ONE legal guardian of the child in need to navigate this process. This person will be the point of contact for all communications to and from our office.

For the initial application, we will ask for some general information about you and your child. After you have submitted this information, we will schedule an intake interview with you for further details.

Applications for our recipient program can be found here.

Our office will review your application and reach out to schedule an interview.  You should expect to receive a text regarding your application within 3 business days.  If you have not heard back within that time frame, please contact us at 440-333-4433 Option 5, or via email at recipients@wigsforkids.org.

After your intake interview, you will be notified via text and letter that it is time to submit your supporting documents. 

There are four (4) documents required to complete this step.

1. The Wigs for Kids Medical Information Form, signed by your medical professional.
2. Legal age document for the child (a copy of one of the following forms)
   1. Birth Certificate
   2. Passport or Visa
   3. Driver’s License, or State or Provincial ID
3. Current color picture of the child showing hair loss
4. Color picture of the child prior to hair loss, or color picture of a hairstyle they would like to wear

Do NOT send medical records.

We are required by law.  Wigs is Kids is a registered Section 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity serving children.  We are not funded by the federal government, and we must provide proof of our services.

For fastest service, we prefer you submit these documents online through our secure document portal. (link https://www.wigsforkids.org/family-portal/)

If you prefer to send by mail, please send to:

Wigs for Kids
Attn: Recipient Department
24231 Center Ridge Road
Westlake, OH 44145

Your information will be processed by our team and reviewed by the Wigs for Kids Board of Directors for final approval. Once this process is completed, you will be notified by our team of your approval status and our team will prepare you for the next stage in the process.

The review and approval process can take 10-15 business days. If you have not heard back from our office within this timeframe, please contact us at 440-333-4433 Option 5, or by email at recipients@wisgforkids.org.

Your approval email confirms your child has been accepted in our program.  Following your approval email, you will be notified when a measurement packet is ready to be mailed. This email contains a shipment notification for your measurement packet.  Now is the time to schedule an appointment with your designated stylist to measure your child’s head for their hairpiece.

Depending on your location, measurement packets usually arrive within 10 business days and are sent via the United States Post Office (USPS). A tracking number for your packet is provided at the time of shipment.

Call our office at 440-333-4433 Option 5.  We will help you connect with your stylist if necessary.

Double-check your packet to ensure it is complete. Have your child practice wearing the wig cap to make sure they feel comfortable with it on for several hours at a time. You can also fill out the optional model release form and sponsor a child questionnaire at this time. 

Bring all contents of the packet to your appointment.

Your stylist will use the tools provided in the measurement packet to properly measure your child’s head to select the best fitting cap size and will help you select the available color and length options for your child’s hairpiece. They will also co-sign the included measurement form with you to approve all selections made.

Contact our office as soon as possible at 440-333-4433 Option 5 or by email at recipients@wigsforkids.org.

Use the postage-paid return envelope provided in your packet to return the signed forms and contents of the Ziploc bag (containing 1 color ring, 8 color swatches, 8 measurement caps, and 1 measuring tape) as soon as possible.

Completed packets must be returned within 5 days of the measurement appointment.

We will notify you when your returned packet is received.  Our team will review your returned packet for accuracy and completeness.  We will then place your order with our manufacturer.  

Creation of your made-to-order hand-tied hairpiece takes time, and our manufacturer is located overseas. This process could take up to 14-16 weeks.

Each hairpiece is made specially for each child. We encourage you to continue with the order process. The cap system may still be useable with light regrowth, and your child may wish to utilize the hairpiece in the future. 

Contact our offices as soon as possible at 440-333-4433 Option 5 so we can update your contact information.  Depending on the distance of the move, we may need to pair you with a new stylist for your child’s styling appointment.  In that case, we recommend you alert your original stylist and thank them for their help with the measurement appointment.

We will email you with tracking information.  Your hairpiece will be shipped by United Postal Service (UPS).  Due to the high value of this shipment (valued over $1800, but free to recipient families) a signature is REQUIRED for delivery.  Please make arrangements to have an adult available to sign for this package.

Contact your stylist to schedule your child’s styling appointment, then contact us with the date of your scheduled appointment.

No, we cannot ship to a P.O. Box.  An adult must be present at delivery to sign for and accept the hairpiece. 

No, your child’s hairpiece must be entrusted into your care. You will bring it, along with your maintenance products, to your child’s styling appointment.

Your shipment via UPS will contain hair products and accessories your child will need over the life of the hairpiece, including:

• Hairpiece
• Shampoo, protein treatment, conditioners
• Skin cleanser and astringent
• Loop brush
• Chin strap
• Wig tape
• Rapid dry hair towel
• Mannequin head
• Instructions for care and maintenance of hairpiece

Please bring all contents of the box to your styling appointment.

Your stylist will check the fit of the hairpiece, cut and style the hairpiece, demonstrate how to properly care for and maintain the hairpiece, and sign-off on the stylist section of the final approval and acceptance form. 

If all haircare guidelines are followed, the hairpiece can last for over a year. 

The hairpiece should be carefully handwashed in a basin every 10-14 days.  In cases of excessive heat or sweat, you may need to wash the hairpiece more frequently. 

Our hairpieces need special products that are gentle and rich in nutrients.  Please use the products and maintenance guide provided along with your hairpiece, as they were made to keep your hairpiece beautiful and healthy. When you need to refill your hair products, please contact the Hair & Scalp Specialists (link to webstore) or call 440-333-8939.

We strongly recommend air drying over blow drying to keep your hairpiece as healthy as possible. If necessary, air dry the hairpiece to about 80% dry, then finish with the blow dryer.

All heat styling tools should be used sparingly.  Overuse of heat styling tools will damage the hair.  Please apply thermal styling spray before using any heat styling tool.

No.  The hairpiece must be placed on the provided foam head mannequin overnight.  Sleeping in the hairpiece will cause damage, such as breakage, tangling, and matting.

Our hairpieces are designed to allow kids to enjoy their normal, active lives. The secure fit of the wig cap, along with wig tape, will keep the hairpiece in place for even the most active kids.

No.  Chlorine and other chemicals will cause severe damage to the hairpiece, including hair loss. These hairpieces cannot be repaired.  We recommend a child use a swim cap instead.

Never brush your hairpiece when it is wet.  Air dry the hairpiece before brushing to detangle the hair.

Our Wigs For Kids YouTube channel has many videos and curated playlists related to maintaining our hairpieces.  Please visit https://www.youtube.com/@WigsForKidsVideos/videos for more information.

We are unable to re-use hairpieces. If your child still has need of a hairpiece, we encourage you to re-apply.