...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?

DS2 is a second year student nurse. They aren't allowed to dye their hair bright colours for placements. He's not in the habit of dying his hair, but his flatmate has had every colour of the rainbow at times.

I do agree with the policy in part. Many of the patients he's looked after are elderly, if he rocked up with pink hair and visible tattoos they wouldn't like it and they wouldn't trust him.

I would absolutely not care if my doctor had sky blue pink hair, tattoo's or piercings so long as they were professional in their manner. It would make a change from all the fuddy duddyness

fuddiduddeness, isnt important.
its your knowledge and they need to trust your abilities.

I think multicoloured hair is generally acceptable now. I had pink hair back in the 80s when you were stared at in the street and talked about by the neighbours! But have had all sorts of colours since and nobody bats an eyelid (and I have a serious sort of job too). Personally I would like you more for it as it makes you seem normal and approachable. In fact the nurse at my local surgery has bright pink hair and my DD who is scared of needles loves her for exactly that reason and it takes her mind off having to have her flu vaccination!

Anyway, I think your hair looks gorgeous and is quite subtle and classy. It's not like you are sporting a lime green mohican and a neck tattoo! I'd go for it! (am also thinking I might pinch your look next time I go to the hairdressers - you will have a load of Mumsnet clones at this rate!)

Some elderly people would be wise to remember that they are fortunate to be treated for free.

That "dress for the job you want, not the one you have" saying always makes me smile...

Have you thought of getting some hair mascara? Not sure where to get it but I had a great selection as a teenager. You could look boring at work and funk it up outside work.

I think this would look unprofessional. Having coloured hair a more regular colour would be fine, but the blue fringed effect does not look right for such a job. Rightly or wrongly some patients would not take you seriously. Trust and confidence are important for a doctor. This sends the wrong message.

oneaddiction. some elderly people would be wise to remember they are treated for free

That is absolutely not the case. The NHS is free at the point of delivery. It is funded from taxes paid by the people.

Many HCPs would do well to remember that.

Wildfire
** I was going to say, the only speciality I wouldn't try this is surgery!
You'll knock the pole from out of their arses. I remember many an SHO being told they wouldn't progress in training very well because of their hair by their boss dinosaurs
Hair gorgeous btw.

It wouldn't bother me at all. I've met both helpful and unhelpful doctors with natural-colour hair! It looks great in the photo.

Depends on your consultants I think. Some surgeons would be fine with this and some more old school dinosaurs ones may have a problem that would affect ARCP etc.

I like it and I think it's reasonably subtle. It's only really noticeable from the back too.

I would go for it but only you know your bosses/hospital/type of patients.

I think your hair looks lovely.

If I was quickly forced to choose between a conservatively dressed doctor and one who is a little alternative, I think I would choose the one who is a little alternative. For some reason, I would think the alternative doctor is more likely to have been really exceptional in order to get into medicine.

This thread has really bothered me. There was a one a few days ago with a teacher with a tattoo as well. These people are public servants, who work for most of the time turn up, work hard and do their job to the best of their ability. Yet we seem to want an army of robotic clones who all conform to our notion of 'professionalism'. I can't believe people are saying that they would judge a doctor because of their hair. Just be thankful you're getting treated. For free.

I've never heard of hidden rainbow hair. It's fab . I'd be a little surprised to see it on a doctor, tbh, but not negatively so.

It wouldn't bother me at all, but I would expect that you would receive numerous questions or comments about it during the day from other staff and patients and it may become a bit wearing.

Could you have a more subdued pink dip dye of some such? Boring brown is so boring. Wouldn't offend me if it was rainbow coloured.

I would absolutely not judge you. Even if you wanted electric neon blue hair all over.
It's sad though that people will judge your ability as a doctor over what colour hair you have. It's really pathetic. I hope for a day where people can have the craziest and whackiest hair and still be looked at as uber professional.

And fwiw I don't have crazy colour hair. Just boring brown.

Don't be ridiculous Draylon. The NHS provides care to all regardless of means. That's because richer people subsidise poorer people and for all the elderly who are heavy users there are others who hardly use it at all and their contributions are transferred to those who need them.

Nice to know how hcps approach ordinary working people who have absolutely nothing to be grateful for. It's sad if someone needs a hip replacement; sadder if they then need additional NHS care. They haven't used up their entitlement as you seem to think, a co-operative system is ensuring, or should be ensuring their health is as good as it can be. Their contributions to industry, society, hard work, were valued when they worked and the NHS continues to value them. They didn't earn enough to remain overall net contributors; but they did enough to be respected by every hcp they come across.

To be perfectly honest your argument and attitude I the one that has caused the NHS core to rot.

I would question your judgement.

Same goes for tattoos.

And same goes for teachers too!

Having the colour at the back is rather amusing. Patients will see you coming with your brown hair and you'll be approved of by the conservative brigade. But turn your back at the end as you leave and you'll show your 'true colours'.

I must admit that as long as your dress sense is up to scratch, your hair is tidy and clean, and you have a strong work ethic then I probably wouldn't mind having you as a registrar.

Surgery is filled with misogynists so watch out. I'd advise you to have something else to make you stand out. Out of interest are you an ST3? If you are, have a chat with some female senior regs.

I agree with some pp in saving it for when you're the boss or at least have your FRCS under your belt!

My doctor is a moron. He knows nothing about my medical conditions and has zero people skills. Having to interact with him means my baseline perception of medical professionals is very low.

When I see you, I want you to change my mind. I want the first impression of you to convince me that actually, I've just had have one bad experience and you're the most amazing doctor ever. I'm not sure if rainbow hair would cut it.

The point previously made about how you react when you're vulnerable is important too, I think. I don't want to see a doctor. If it's a routine appointment, I feel resentful that I have to beg for necessary drugs for my medical conditions that the doctor in front of me is looking up in a book. I know what I need, he doesn't. I'm not happy.

If it's an emergency visit, I'm upset and vulnerable. I don't want to be there even more. I need even more reassurance that the people around me know what they're doing.

I remember once when I was very little and forced to move classes because there were too many pupils. My little world was being rocked. In my first meeting with the new teacher, I became fixated on the fact she had a stupid pink scarf and who did she think she was, one of those idiots from Grease?

She was actually one of the kindest, loveliest, cleverest teachers I have ever had the fortune to deal with. But when you're vulnerable, you will look for something out of the ordinary to focus on - rainbow hair ought to do it. People who are vulnerable are not rational people. And as a doctor, that's most of your target audience.

I'd think you were very young and modern - which would be a good thing IMO.