Hairdressers

[Rarar]

Does anyone else struggle with hairdressers? I find the small talk so hard, explaining what I want (especially to the point where they 'get' it and I actually leave with the style I wanted!) even harder and speaking up when I'm not happy with what they've done completely impossible. I'd just got semi-comfortable with one, been a few times and she was getting close to what I want and now they've closed down and I have to start all over again somewhere new. First world problem I realise but I just feel like being ND makes stuff like this so bloody complicated

Reasons to hate the hairdresser:

• small talk
• bright lights
• humans
• humans touching me
• noise, radio, etc
• chemical stink
• if they wash my hair, they never get all the shampoo off the back of my neck...
• ...and their products are full of silicones, which turn my hair into a sticky statick mess
• they always cut off more than I wanted
• the "no, I don't want layers/highlights/greys dyed/etc" conversation

Until lockdown, my mum did it. Since then, I've taught myself how to do it myself. I last had a salon hair cut some time around 2003.

Oh, and having to sit still with no book and a stranger touching me for ages whilst I can see everything that's happening in the mirror. Where am I meant to look? Honestly, it feels more invasive than when the ophthalmologist sits inches from you to shine a light onto your retina and then puff air onto your eyeball.

3 of us have asd in our house, things that have helped (it's not perfect but made easier) are
a home hairdresser as no bright lights, lots of other people, unfamiliar noises etc.
A hair style that can be maintained with a simple dry cut every 6 week.
A hairdresser that is informed about nd so that they keep chat to a minimum or accept dc3 will only ever talk about one subject.
Using no chemicals just a water spray with warning when needed. Also only brings minimal equipment into house rather than all equipment.
We have our own hair cape so it smells OK.
It's become part of our routine, we even have same day and time for appointment each time.
Being able to take a shower straight after is very important for dc1.

I haven't been since the 90s!!

I go to the barber instead as I have short hair. Walk in, no hair wash, does what I want with no small talk, done in 15 minutes and costs me £14.

I have a hairdresser come to me. No hair washing (I wash it before he gets here)
my hair is very short so only takes about 20mins or so

he has cut my hair most of my life and we know both eachother families so I am comfortable with him

I got no idea what I would do if he ever gave up!

And this is why my hair is currently a good 10cm shorter than I wanted, with one side longer than the other as I asked my husband to cut it as I won't go to the hairdressers!!

Another thing with me, is that I really don't care that much how it looks, I don't need fussed and pampered and you are paying a lot of money for that which I don't want, need or appreciate.

I must be the weird one as I don’t mind going to the hairdresser I’ve been going to the same one for years. I’m lucky in that I don’t have major sensory problems so don’t mind bright lights or nose etc. I’ve always been terrible at washing my own hair, the hairdresser does a much better job of it! He’s used to me not talking much.

This is actually the reason I now cut my own hair .

Just the thought of the hairdresser massaging the shampoo into my scalp makes me shiver.

I'd actually like going to the hairdressers if there was a place where the staff don't talk to you at all.
I like deep pressure so the head massage is great and I also like having my hair brushed.

I haven't been for around 3 years but I'm going on Wednesday just for a trim.

I cut my dh's hair and mine is way longer than I'd ideally like it (and have lots of split ends). Biggest issue for me is making the appointment in the first place (ADHD+PDA) - my hairdresser is actually alright.

I go to a unisex barbers as it is minimum fuss.£9 and a pound tip. I see the same man each time nice and quick and easy. I personally think hair salons are a sheer waste of money and time.

I would rather cut my hair myself but my hair needs layers and I'm rubbish at that, so my middle ground is having a hairdresser come to my house. That way I can control my surroundings, wash my hair myself, and not have to look in a mirror the whole time

I had an appointment today. My first one in a few years. My hair was getting tangled at the end because of split ends.

It only took 45 mins altogether. The head massage bit was great but I didn't enjoy the 'chatting' and the sound of the hairdryer in my ear.

45 mins once every few years is doable for me.

Long hair. Plaited. Tied up. No hairdresser.

DD: her aunt does it. I used to.