Argh! I would shave my hair off right now if

[GreatGooglyMooglies]

I hadn't already done it in Lockdown and hated it!

I'm autistic and actually HATE going to the hairdressers. It stresses me out so badly so I haven't been in about 2 years. I cut my own fringe but my hair is so long.

I'm crap at keeping it washed. Its way too long. I hate drying it. It gets ratty and its hurts to brush it.

Its driving me crazy but going to get it cut is so anxiety inducing to me. Ive been trying to book an appointment for a fortnight but just can't do it.

I keep watching home haircut tutorials but I know I will mess it up.

You can get hair dressers who come to the house and specialist autsitic experience hair dressers. If you go to the hair dressers earlier to the start of the week and first thing in the day is the quietest time so 9 on Monday.

Also try jog hair brush, using a good conditioner or conditioning hair mask, L’ oreal extraordinary oil. Wear ear pods when drying your hair and if you can afford it the dyson hair drier cuts drying time.

You can also take a note saying I’m autistic I would like whatever cut and will answer yes no questions about hair but prefer not to talk.

Ok how long is it now? Don't go too short, cut a little bit and wait. Make it your routine to wash and comb your hair every day. A bob rarely tangles.

Its about 6inches passed my shoulders.

People coming to my house would be even more stressful I think :/

My dogs would go crazy the whole time

What did you hate about having a shaved head?

I felt like a fat bloke, I was about 7 stone heavier though.

But I just didn't feel myself or pretty at all.

Plus growing it out was an absolute nightmare with many unfortunate stages.

Im autistic and feel like you about hairdressers but I just cut my own hair. I use the ponytail under chin method with wet hair and takes under 5 minutes - https://www.google.com/search?q=cut+hair+ponytail+under+chin&rlz=1CDGOYIenGB644GB654&oq=cut+hair+ponytail+&hl=en-GB&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

Using this method my hair probably doesn’t look perfect but honestly, who cares? I wear my hair up in a ponytail a lot anyway so the cut isn’t obvious but even when down I have never had anyone say anything negative, and I have a lot of blunt/ honest friends!

Could you go on a local facebook group and ask for recommendations for good hairdressers.

Mine is lovely, has her own little salon so it's just her, me and her dear little dog asleep in a basket. She's gentle, quiet, sensible and about my age (a bit older!).

She brings me a cuppa, we have a two minute talk about hair, a quick chat about our dogs and gardens then she cuts my hair in silence while I read my book. I actually look forward to it.

That sounds heavenly, youre not in Manchester are you 🤣

I'm afraid not @GreatGooglyMooglies . West country girl here. Hope you find someone like her locally.

There are YouTube videos how to cut it yourself - I had done my for nearly ten years now / it’s much better than going to the hairdressers

Have a look at Brad Mondo on YouTube/Facebook he's really good at explaining home haircuts without the faff.
It won't be as good as a hairdresser but will help with the washing and care of your hair even if just trimmed.
You will need sharp/hairdressing scissors though.
I hate washing my hair and have tried not washing/scalp wash and dry shampoo but the only thing I find easier is washing my hair upside down over the bath and then popping it in a towelling hair cap while I shower or even just chill so it drys a lot itself so less time under the drier.

I sometimes cut it myself. Anything
longer than shoulder-length is ok for less-than-perfect cuts.

A style without a fringe requires a lot less ongoing maintenance. Might be worth considering growing out your fringe.

Im another who hates the hairdressers with a passion

I use a lovely lass. When. I found her she had her own salon, a porta cabin at the back of shop so 99% of my appointments Id be the only one there, the other times some would be sitting with a colour on reading a book. She had to let that go and rented a chair in another salon and my first visit - it was a mad house and I said Im sorry but I cant come here again if this is how it is. Thankfully it wasnt, the owner had broken his arm and the two girls were doing his clients on top of their own . Now its just the two girls and two clients - its manageable for me

My hairdresser gets that Im a tad "odd" and cant explain what I want exactly Ill send her a text with a picture of what I like and she will search out different variations that she thinks will suit me and knows I can cope with styling myself. She also know she really has to show me how to apply any product , no point in telling me a pea size blob - she literally has to show me. And anything she feels would help she will write it down and places to buy . Took me years to find her and even though I now have to travel a bit of a distance , Id happily travel twice as far then. to have to find a new hairdresser

Put a search out on a community page on Facebook asking for recommendations of solo hairdressers . Where I live there are lots of hairdresser who work from their homes - small studios in the garden

I think I would like it properly cut off though. Not just a trim or layers.

Im going to have to go somewhere arent i :(

To cut it much shorter is no different to a trim really - you could think of it as series of trims, or a big trim and then a normal tidy up trim

Are you happy to have short hair? I've been doing my own since lockdown. I've been using clippers: 8, 6 and 4 guards. I regularly am complimented on my hair and it's really easy to do. I cut it every 2 weeks usually.

I think this?

Get a hairdresser to come to the house every six to eight weeks and have a short haircut.

Look for a tiny salon in a sleepy village or local centre high street. With 1 or 2 chairs. Then ask them when their quietest period is and book for then.

I also think a note as others have suggested is a great idea explaining exactly how you’d like them to a questions etc / how much talking is ok.

Or if this is too much, do you have a friend you could ask who could do the research / appointment booking for you and then they could call ahead and explain your needs?

I have found a lovely little local place with 2 woman who co- own & it's just 'nice' not full of glitz & glamour. It's further away from home in the next village (about 6 miles) but the 5 we have here are pretentious & I can't be done with their b/s.

i have long hair too, it is much less difficult to maintain with regular trims. I only get it trimmed 1 or 2 times a year. With free fringe trims in between.

I'm going this week. I just book in when I notice it's getting knotty after a shower. When it's trimmed it doesn't do that.

ive had long hair since I was a child, any thoughts if getting it shaved have quickly been shelved on the basis that my head has corners! I think I'd look like I had a box for a skull! 🤣🤣

find a small place like mine, or someone who dies it from their home.

I think the cut you posted the picture of would take too much maintenance or look dreadful very quickly. Probably easiest to keep it shoulder length just needing a brush after washing it & a trim once/twice a year.

good luck x

I feel like I could maintain it myself with a razor once it was done.i just couldnt do from what I have not to that?

I don't want a plain bob. Last time i did that i got so many comments about looking like my mother :/

If you need a salon in the Manchester area there is this one which does silent appointments and is quite a low stress, relaxed environment https://thesalonofmarple.com/