...to have blue hair as a doctor?

[WiIdfire]

I got hidden rainbow hair while on maternity leave, and it was fab. When I went back to work, I dyed it back to a boring brown.

As a doctor, it's always been fairly accepted that you should dress conservatively, that it's not acceptable to have bright hair, visible tattoos, eccentric clothing etc. and I've always stuck to that. However, since going back, I've seen 6 other members of staff (non-doctors, but patient facing, nurses etc) with blue or vivid pink hair, it seems to becoming much more mainstream. My husbands non-medical colleagues were baffled that I would even consider going back to brown just to go back to work.

So, would I be unreasonable to have blue hair as a doctor? Is it socially acceptable yet?

Telling you this in the spirit of helpfulness, not to be disapproving or judgemental. I was a journalist and used to dress/wear hair and makeup to match my personality - up until the day that last minute I had to go and speak to a man whose wife had recently committed suicide in the most violent, horrendous way.

I felt so ill-prepared because of what I was wearing that after that incident I stuck to a duller palette that was more adaptable.

I think hidden colours look lovely, but depending on what area of medicine you work in, you might want to think about how you'd feel imparting terrible news with any kind of 'frivolous' appearance. If you're a dermatologist, it is probably less likely you'd have to frequently give life-changing news than if you were, say, an oncologist.

I think many people wouldn't even notice but more conservative patients might latch onto it as a conduit for their negative emotions.

The trouble is you're asking the wrong demographic.

Yes, it wouldn't bother me. It does bother me when doctors dress inappropriately, wearing things better suited to a night out in town, because it makes patients uncomfortable, but not what colour their hair is.
Your hair (lovely as it is) would most definitely bother my parents generation and they would judge you for having a less than professional dress code.

Unless you work in paeds or a&e you're likely to be working with the much older generation, who in the main, will judge you for having brightly coloured hair.

I don't really know why, but I'm not sure I would appreciate getting difficult news from someone with hair like that. Perhaps because there's something innately frivolous about it? It does make me feel a bit uncomfortable that I feel that way though.

And having said that, I absolutely love it - had also never heard of rainbow hair and will now be investigating further!

I don't think it's really how people view you because that could be applied to anything and is - some people are racist and sexist and we wouldn't expect someone to adjust those aspects of their appearance to please the masses.

When DH and I were younger and in America I was ill and saw a doctor with a shock of blonde hair, denim shorts and a Micky Mouse T shirt who was great!

But in the UK at this time we don't have that perception. We just don't. It's not about other people's perceptions but about dress policies and keeping your job safe. In OPs situation id keep the hair but put it in a bun or ponytail at work.

Cross post with everdene

Who cares? Lucky to get care on the NHS. They can take it or leave it.

There's a doctor at our local hospital who looks very alternative - you wouldn't guess she was a Dr - maybe a singer in a band. But she's good at her job, professional and friendly. That's what counts. The only thing I baulk at is multiple piercings which can make me feel a bit sick (not a few earrings or a nose ring but the ones who have about 20 on their face). Your hair looks fabulous.

I think it looks awesome!

I know a nurse who has streak of neon blue hair. No Trust policy on hair colours and tattoos.

You would have to tie it in a bun though for infection control purposes

Op I think your hair looks beautiful and the colours are really subtle. I don't know if going for all over blue would be a bit too much...some patients might find it a bit in your face, but the hidden colours look fab.

I don't think doctors would be allowed to have piercings would they. Aren't there h & s rules about jewellery.
I don't think it really matters what we would think, or what your patients think. It matters what your employers think and if there is a dress code.

I'd find it distracting.

i think it looks lovely. i wonder if i should do that to my hair...

Spot on Chewingthecud.

Your hair is lovely and its not in your face I think you should just go for it. I have seen Drs with nose studs in multiple ear piercings

Sorry - Crud!

Absolutely Chewingthecrud

Add message | Report | Message poster pizzapop Sun 16-Oct-16 08:36:21
agree, that as a patient I would judge you, as I would judge a bank teller, lawyer, accountant, with unnatural hair colouring

Alright grandad

Your hair looks lovely and personally I would have no issue, but pizzapop inadvertently makes a point. You may be treating older people who will be ill and vulnerable. Who may already feel wary of those around them and those treating them. It's important they have confidence in their doctor and rightly or wrongly your hair may impact their confidence in you..

As others have said, depends on your specialty. Paeds/A&E/non interventional radiology/pathology would be fine. I think it would raise eyebrows in more conservative specialties that are largely male dominated (surgical specialties.) GP would depend on your patient population and how well they know you. Not how it should be but I think patients do make judgements based on appearances. I'm a GP.

Sorry I was being childish

ok then pizza

Thanks for the replies. It is nice to know a lot of people wouldn't mind, but I guess if even a minority would be upset then it's a no still. And everdene and other posters have a point about breaking bad news - I do have to do that without notice. I guess I'll keep it brown for now, maybe in another ten years it'll be ok.

I wouldn't object to my GP having blue hair, streaked, spiky or whatever as long as she was an excellent doctor. I wouldn't like her to look scruffy

with tattered holey jeans but slightly subversive hair - go for it.

Because as her patient I'd love to have blue-streaked spiky hair but am too old, wrinkly and timid for it to be a good look for me.

I wouldn't mind. My son's school teacher (primary) has blue hair.

as a patient it wouldn't bother me. in fact i think i'd feel better, like they're showing a little bit of who they really are when they're not a doctor. i can't imagine the higher ups agreeing tho.