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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Hair dressers sinks.

82 replies

Toddlerteaplease · 30/04/2023 20:23

Why on earth are they so uncomfortable! Why hasn't someone invented a more comfortable one? It can't be that difficult!

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 30/04/2023 23:40

My salon has lovely reclining backs to the chairs and a padded neck rest. No problems at all.

Blinky21 · 30/04/2023 23:42

I had migraines and visual disturbances in the past, it really freaked me out as i know about stroke risk. Luckily my current hairdressers sinks are more comfortable

Deathmetal · 30/04/2023 23:43

I’m short so thought it was just me that found them uncomfortable, as I usually have to contort my body awkwardly to get my head in the sink! Glad to know it’s not a height thing

PurpleBag · 30/04/2023 23:48

Aslanplustwo · 30/04/2023 20:58

What is wrong with hairdressers' sinks? I've never had any problem with them, or found them uncomfortable? Genuine question, I'm just a bit baffled.

Me too! But I am quite tall so never felt like my neck was getting overstretched. Also, every hairdresser I have ever been to has put a towel round my neck first.

PerryMenno · 30/04/2023 23:50

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 30/04/2023 23:40

My salon has lovely reclining backs to the chairs and a padded neck rest. No problems at all.

Same here. And I ask for a folded up towel to add extra padding to the neck rest.

ThinWomansBrain · 30/04/2023 23:57

Wash your own hair.
My hairdresser jsut wets my hair to cut it. No sink.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 30/04/2023 23:58

They have flat ones now! It had a little padding at the neck and a slight indentation and your head rested on a flat surface slightly inclined. It was a little weird to be honest but it worked once the stylists figured it out. I was going to post a picture but google failed me so I guess that means they really aren’t common.

TheFormidableMrsC · 01/05/2023 00:01

I wash my hair at home before an appointment and this is because my last experience of having my hair washed made me lose the feeling in my arms and hands which went completely numb. I thought I was having a stroke. It's a hard no from me.

Underminer · 01/05/2023 00:10

I have used a lot of different salons over the years, from cheap and cheerful to higher end salons and always had trouble with the sinks. Last time I used one the hairdresser knocked it and I had a shooting pain down on arm and in my head. Went home, told my friend who told me about the stroke risk, so I haven’t used them since.

Georgeandzippyzoo · 01/05/2023 00:34

nofusspot · 30/04/2023 20:30

I read about someone having a stroke or something after using one and it scares me now

My DM mentioned this a little while ago and it's always on my mind now when I go! (But I still go!)

Aslanplustwo · 01/05/2023 02:05

IDontWantToBeAPie · 30/04/2023 21:07

Having to put your neck in the hole bit. I've gone to expensive and cheap hairdressers and they're always uncomfortable - can't fully relax as you're holding your neck up, it digs into your nape.

The massage chair only tries to distract from the aching neck. Maybe it's neck anatomy making it uncomfortable.

Show quote history

I don't recall ever feeling uncomfortable when having my hair washed. I'm booked in for a cut on Wednesday, so will take special note of the sink. As for relaxing, I love having my hair washed and conditioned and manage to relax.

stepMummY1 · 01/05/2023 07:19

Unfortunately my hairdresser only uses these shit disposable "towels" now so not a lot of help from those.

JustDanceAddict · 01/05/2023 07:25

Agree, they are awful. I have a dodgy
neck and find it awkward.

Wishawisha · 01/05/2023 07:29

nofusspot · 30/04/2023 20:53

Closed but try not to look like I'm enjoying it too much. Which is easy because I'm not.

Show quote history

Haha. I try to look like I am vaguely enjoying it because I thought that was what they want? Like when you get asked if you want a head massage when they are conditioning your hair .. I always say yes because it seems rude to decline, and then you have to look like it’s what you wanted, rather than just an extra minute in the painful sink.

I rarely go to the hairdressers these days and trim etc at home because I hate paying for something I dread.

Soddingcat · 01/05/2023 07:37

I have reclining electric massage chairs in my salon
They move up and down , and back and forward and have cushioned beck rests so most clients can find a comfortable position
most clients comment on how comfy they are
they cost five grand each though so most salons won’t have them
worth it to me though 😃

A34 · 01/05/2023 07:56

I have arthritis in my neck and haven't had my hair washed in a salon for decades. The hairdresser just sprays it. Although my current hairdresser cuts it dry - seems to work!

LynetteScavo · 01/05/2023 08:02

OP - if your hairdresser doesn't use the black cushion/neck rest then it will be uncomfortable. I've just realised my new hairdressers is much more comfortable than my old hairdressers - both had basin cushions, so it must be the design of the basin.

I heard the family of the person who had the stroke campaigned to have signs up in hairdressers to warn of the danger. I'm not sure many people would avoid having their hair washed, armed with the knowledge, but it would make a lot of people nervous.

Hair dressers sinks.
Mummyme87 · 01/05/2023 08:23

The stroke thing is a thing. Same as painters and decorators straining their neck back. It can cause a tear in an artery causing a stroke. My friend had this type of stroke 2months ago, although not caused by either of the above

isthismylifenow · 01/05/2023 08:29

Oh how could I forget about when they lean against the sink while washing. No towel on your neck prepares your shoulders for that...

We call it a basin, not a sink here btw 😀

Franticbutterfly · 01/05/2023 08:31

As a teen I was a model for my friend who was training to be a hairdresser and was at the sink for a long time, I ended up passing out and having a fit where the blood to my brain was cut off. Never happened since fortunately!

isthismylifenow · 01/05/2023 08:39

stepMummY1 · 01/05/2023 07:19

Unfortunately my hairdresser only uses these shit disposable "towels" now so not a lot of help from those.

A disposable towel?

Like a paper towel on a roll?

VioletladyGrantham · 01/05/2023 08:41

nofusspot · 30/04/2023 20:30

I read about someone having a stroke or something after using one and it scares me now

This! Yes, it is the first thing l thought of when l read the op's post.

Xrays · 01/05/2023 08:42

The stroke thing is always on my mind too but I tell myself it must be very low risk if you think how many people use these sinks every single day all over the place and we hardly ever hear stories about it.

Mustardandchickensandwiches · 01/05/2023 08:45

Worst part for me, it's they're called back washes 🤮

LynetteScavo · 01/05/2023 08:50

My old hairdresser started using disposable towels. The antithesis of luxury.