Does anyone else feel anxious going to the hairdresser?

[BeanoComicLover88]

I've always seemed to have this issue, I don't know what it is about the whole experience but it's always made me feel like crap. I go to a salon where there are 2 stylists and the last few times I've gone, my regular stylist has been off or not there (without informing any of her clients that day). The other stylist can be incredibly rude and condeand it's made me not want to return anymore. I've searched for mobile stylists but haven't been able to find anyone so far.
Anyone else deal with salon anxiety and if so, how have you found a way around it? I know it sounds so stupid and like a first world problem. I should also mention that I've got Adhd so that makes things even more difficult

Lots of people hate going to the hairdresser. I dealt with the issue by cutting my own hair, but mine is wavy so mistakes aren't obvious. I'm NT, so not sure how ADHD would affect this. If you are tempted to cut your own, get decent scissors.

No but only because I've known my hairdresser for 16 years and she's fantastic otherwise I would be very nervous!!

Can you go to another salon? This one sounds too stressful.

Regarding mobile hairdressers, are you on Facebook? If so, join your local area page and put a post asking for recommendations. You’ll be flooded with suggestions

I don't have anxiety but I hate going to the hairdressers.

I just don't go anymore and started cutting my own hair. I cut, layer and feather it myself. There are some great you tube DIY videos around.

Yes. The only way I can cope is if I go somewhere where I pay a lot and they do it much quicker than the local one up the road

I cut my own too. With kitchen scissors!😁

Loads of tutorials on YouTube. I would suggest start of conservatively cutting less of than the maximum you want off. Then at least it can be tidied up if you think you've made a wrong move.

I think everyone hates the hairdresser’s. I’m not remotely anxious, and my salon is nice, but it’s never much fun staring at yourself in the mirror looking like a skinned, damp rabbit with foils on your head.

It sounds like you need a different salon? I had to switch after lockdown because my long-term best beloved hairdresser moved into a totally different industry, and found it really stressful going somewhere new, even though my previous hairdresser personally recommended him. I felt like we didn’t “click” the first cut but could see he was technically very good just not exactly what I had in my mind’s eye, but on the second we gelled much better and I was able to be much more open.

That was in August 2020 and I now have a side hustle doing the salon’s marketing and social media which I get paid for plus free hair! I’m really glad I trusted my gut (and previous hairdresser) that this was the right move. Maybe ask friends for recs? I often get stopped by strangers and asked who cuts my hair and am always happy to recommend my salon/hairdresser.

I think everyone hates the hairdresser’s.

Only mumsnetters.
I don't. I have been going to the same hairdresser for years, and always have a good catch up natter.

I just posted on similar thread, I dislike having the hair wash and scalp massage bits, so now I wash my hair before my appt and just get a dry cut. I ask for no blow dry or anything. So appt is really quick. My hairdresser is lovely so no issues there but I do find it difficult for some reason. Always have since being a kid.

I hate it too.

I don’t want chat about my holidays or any other personal stuff that might be going on at present.
I don't want loud music.
I don’t want a dog in the salon who belongs to the owner and barks at every passing dog!

I just need a reasonably peaceful experience with a hairdresser who doesn’t want to become my new best friend.

Yes, it’s a bit stressful so I’ll give it 6 out of ten on the stress gauge.

I loath the whole salon experience and eventually found a hairdresser who works from her home and totally understands people like me who just want a cut, colour, or whatever without all the theatre of a salon. Have a look at the local pages on Facebook as home hairdressers often advertise there.

But hairdressers are often actively delighted not to have to chat. I genuinely like the stylist who does my colour, but I always bring a book with me and just read, and she just concentrates on what she’s doing.

Same here.

No. I've only been to a hairdresser once in the last 30 years 😆😆

I've never heard anyone say they hate going to the hairdresser - not in real life anyway. So many things which only seem to happen in MNland!

I'm always happy enough to go to mine, and I've never had to look at myself with foils on my head as I only ever get a cut. I actually love the whole process.

Totally agree. I do not look forward to it

I go to the same woman every time. She's is quick, cheap, and does exactly what she's told.

I luvs her 😍

I've been going to the same hairdresser who works from home for about 35 years! I'm terribly fussy about who cuts and colours my hair, as my hair is thin and fine, but she knows what the most flattering look for me is. I really hope that she never gives up because I would be terrified to move to a different one. But if I went to a hairdresser and I didn't like how they did my hair, I'd have to try another until I found someone who suited me. I think that word of mouth is often the best way to find a good hairdresser.

I have always disliked going to the hairdressers. I get so anxious. I'm very socially awkward anyway.

I've been cutting and colouring my own hair for the last 7 years. I am lucky, because I have curly hair, it's actually quite easy to trim. And I've got better at colouring it over the years, so I can get quite a nice result.

I have a friend who was a hairdresser and she is quite introverted and she said that she really appreciated quieter clients. I was also in a long relationship with a hairdresser and the job itself was physically exhausting, so he also didn't mind at all having quieter clients. But I think for me, it is having all the attention focused on me that I find difficult...

.... I much prefer the dentist....you don't have to say anything. Just open your mouth, don't speak, and they sort it all out for you!

Well that's why we are all different aren't we. In real life you may only be socialising with on type of people who are similar to you or they may not wish to talk about how they dislike it for fear of going against the grain. There could be a whole variety of reasons why you may not have heard about this, but it's more like to happen in an online forum where you will have a wider cross section of the population represented and people would be far more likely to say the truth. I absolutely detest going to the hairdresser for all the reasons that were already mentioned. I find it a really stressful experience. I would be far more likely to go if it was a peaceful zen like environment where the hairdresser didn't try to pry into my personal circumstances every 30 seconds.

I hate it, I am not good with personal contact and cannot wait for it to be over with.

I don't live in the UK, people here socialise with all sorts, not just "people like us". I've also worked with many, many, people for almost 50 years - people from all walks of life. People here are also more inclined to chat to others than they seem to be in the UK. Believe it or not, MN life bears very little resemblance to actual real life in this part of the world. I have never met all these socially awkward types, and every time I've been to a hairdresser the other clients are merrily chatting away.

You are equating being socially outgoing with also enjoying the environment in hair salons and conversely, being socially awkward with not enjoying it? It's not that black and white 😂a very limited view of the world you have!

I hate it too. I never usually go, but my hair really needs a cut so I've actually booked an appointment for Tuesday. I'm dreading it lol.

I always find it really awkward, and they rarely do what I ask for. For example, the last time I went, after it was cut, the hairdresser said 'are we straightening it or do you want some waves put in?'

And I said, 'neither thanks, what I would really like is a blow dry with a big round brush instead'

And she looked at me like I had two heads. What's wrong with what I asked? Needless to say, she started drying it with the round brush, then ended up using the straighters anyway. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I love it when they add on 39 quid for a 5 minute straighten