Hair Donation Helps Those In Need

A central Ohio woman spoke out Monday about her efforts to help others who have lost their hair.

Aubrey Linamen has worn wigs almost her entire life, and each day, she helps those needing wigs find them.

Linamen, who is a cosmetologist at Brenda's Hair to Wear in Westerville, said that she lost her hair when she was 4 because of alopecia. She said that her clients are shocked when they hear that she wears a wig.

"Sometimes, I'll wait a little bit and I'll be like, 'I have alopecia, I wear a wig,'" Linamen said. "It makes them feel a lot more comfortable and makes them feel better about the whole situation, like maybe it won't be so bad … hers doesn't look like a wig, maybe mine won't look like a wig."

Brenda Scholl, owner of Brenda's Hair to Wear, said that hair donation allows the salon to provide wigs to those in need a reduced costs.

"We can take hair 6 inches in length or greater from anyone who has that kind of length including grey hair, hair that has been colored, naturally curly hair," Scholl said.

10TV's AJ Smith donated 9 inches of her hair in May, and it was combined with hair from other donors to make one wig.

"You really can do anything, it's kind of like a tapestry - putting all the pieces together," Scholl said.

Linamen said that wigs have helped her, and others, feel more comfortable with themselves.

"People like me really need it," Linamen said. "I try to thank everyone that comes in here that donates their hair. … I try to tell them like this could be my hair someday. Thank you!"

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