How to turn Hair Salon Anxiety into a Positive Experience For those with Trichotillomania
For individuals with Trichotillomania, what should be a pampering session at the hairdresser can unfortunately become a source of great anxiety. With proactive planning and open communication, a positive experience can still be achieved.
If you're feeling apprehensive, here are some tips to on how to approach this:
Find an Understanding Hairdresser: Before settling on a stylist, do your homework. Scour online reviews, seek friends' recommendations, or set up an initial consultation and trust and follow your gut instinct before booking. These steps can help you connect with a hair professional who's both knowledgeable and compassionate.
Time Your Talk Right: Try to talk to your hairdresser before your appointment, ideally when you are making the booking or even on the day at the beginning of your appointment, before they start working on your hair. If you can, call ahead and ask for five minutes to be set aside for a preliminary chat about circumstances regarding your hair.
Anticipate Lack of Awareness: Ideally, all stylists would be aware of every hair-related condition. However, from my personal experience, awareness of Trichotillomania can be lacking. Prepare yourself to give a concise explanation if needed.
If it helps, when I face the awkward moment of telling hairdressers about what Trichotillomania is, I find comfort in knowing that for the next person who comes in for appointment with the same condition, they will likely be met with greater familiarity and understanding.
Clarify Your Condition's Implications: If you feel comfortable doing so, it can helpful for you to clearly state the issue or condition. For example, "I have a medical condition called Trichotillomania, which means I feel the compulsion to pull out my hair so there may be patches without hair or uneven hair regrowth.’
Set Conversation Boundaries: Determine beforehand how much you'd like to discuss your condition and convey this to your hairdresser. After your initial explanation, you might add, "I wanted you to know, but I'd prefer we not delve into this topic further during our session."
Solicit Their Input: Hairdressers have a wealth of knowledge about which hairstyle or treatments may work best for you, so if you would like to explore styles that could help to conceal certain areas- you could let them know. By asking for their advice, you're making the most out of access to their expertise. If, for example, you suffer with weak or brittle hair as a result of pulling, you could ask: "Do you have any suggestions on styles or products that might work best considering my condition?"
You're Not Alone: Though your stylist might be unfamiliar with Trichotillomania, they've surely encountered clients with other unique hair concerns, from ageing to medical conditions to the effects of treatments like chemotherapy. They're trained to address diverse hair challenges with sensitivity.
Bring Support: Consider bringing a trusted friend or family member with you for support, which can make the experience less intimidating.
Everyone deserves to be pampered. Using these guidelines will hopefully increase the likelihood of an enjoyable appointment and if one experience isn't ideal, please don't be disheartened. The right hair-care professional for you is out there.
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