As most of the hockey fans out there know, today marks the official start of the playoffs and the quest for the cup. Although not all of us will agree on which team we want to win, there is one thing that we all have in common: an understanding of the playoff beard. The playoff beard has been around for years now, and fans from all over gladly take part in this hearty tradition. If you’re not familiar with the playoff beard, then let me enlighten you. Players and fans stop shaving as soon as their team enters the playoffs, and continue to grow out their beard until their team is eliminated. Many use the playoff beard as a form of luck and superstition, but others just use it in support of their favorite team.

Hockey fans and players alike have recently taken the tradition a step farther by dedicating their beards to a good cause. Canada has set up the Beard-a-thon foundation which allows individuals to sign up to be a grower, support other growers, or just watch how the competition is going. Each grower that signs up pledges to throw away their razors and quit shaving until playoffs are over. They then set up a profile on the website and have the opportunity to fundraise and ask their friends and family members to make a donation to their page. All proceeds go directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and participants also receive various prizes throughout the playoff season.

I’m sure most of you ladies out there are thinking, “that’s great and all, but what does that have to do with me?” Well there’s a way you can get involved as well! First of all, if your boyfriend, father, brother, or any other male in your life has decided to grow out his beard for his favorite team, encourage him to join the cause and sign up for the Beard-a-thon! Why not help raise money for a great foundation while still keeping the beard they love? Once they’ve signed up, head on over to the site and donate in their honor. You’ll be supporting him, and also supporting the Heart and Stroke Foundation at the same time! It’s a win-win situation.

If you want to get even more involved though, try adopting the same standards and applying them to your hair! Make a pledge that you will let your hair grow as much as possible during playoffs, with minimal styling and damaging done during that time. This will help it grow longer and healthier. Once playoffs have ended, find a foundation that you personally support and donate your hair to the cause! Almost all professional salons know the correct rules and procedures to help you donate your hair, so you can even go to a salon that you already know and trust! As long as you have at least 6 inches to donate, you can chop off as much or as little as you want.

If you need advice from a great salon, check out one of my favorite beauty salons in Pittsburgh, Verve 360 Wellness. They’re fabulous and will help you out with all of your hair needs! If you’re not ready to donate yet and would rather just support the others, that’s great as well! Any small support you can give is helping the foundation get that much farther.

Happy playoffs, beauties! Show those boys they’re not the only dedicated fans out there!