Some people are afraid to go to the doctor or dentist, but for others a trip to a hair salon causes even more anxiety. There are several factors that can make a person avoid having her haircut.
1. Bad Haircuts in the Past
Most often, people who fear haircuts have had bad experiences with them in the past. Bad haircuts affect a person's confidence and cause anxiety. In some cases, it may be difficult to disguise a bad haircut and it may take several months for the hair to grow back out.
Until a bad haircut grows out, a person may be embarrassed to socialize. She may also feel that the stylist betrayed her trust or may blame herself for choosing a style that now looks awful. There could be feelings of anger, embarrassment, depression, anxiety, and self-doubt.
After coping with a very bad haircut and waiting for the hair to grow back out, it is understandable that a person would be afraid of having another bad experience. This anxiety may lead a person to avoid haircuts for some time in the hopes of eventually finding a stylist that can be trusted.
2. Intimidating Hair Salons
Hair salons, particularly upscale salons or spas, strive to be fashionable. They often have a stylish decor and may have an impressive reception and waiting area. Hair stylists and receptionists are often dressed well and have fashionable hair and makeup. The service menu may describe unfamiliar services and list starting prices or a range of prices without explicitly listing the price for each stylist.
All of these factors can come together to make a hair salon feel intimidating. Even the full service treatment that some salons offer, such as offering wine or coffee, may make some clients uncomfortable if they are not used to that level of service.
Remember that no one is born knowing the ins and outs of any new situation. Be polite and friendly and never be afraid to ask specific questions about the exact cost or other details regarding the services provided by your particular stylist.
3. Worries about Salon Etiquette
Some people worry about appropriate behavior in a salon, most often when it comes to payment and tipping. Common questions regard who to tip, how to give the tip, and when to give the tip. But some women worry about other salon behaviors as well, such as keeping their purse with them or changing clothes before a cut or coloring.
In general, it is customary to give stylists a 10% tip. Do not tip salon owners who cut your hair themselves. Some salons may provide small envelopes at reception to use for tips. You can give the tip to your stylist directly or ask the receptionist to give it to her. If she has gone on to her next client while you are paying, pass the tip through the receptionist.
In a small, frequently visited salon you may feel comfortable with leaving your purse at your stylist's station while you are having your hair shampooed. However, it is not rude to bring your purse with you and set it next to the shampoo chair. Ultimately, you are liable for your own possessions.
Upscale salons will usually offer robes/smocks for those who are having their hair colored. These are usually thin wrap around robes that are made of the same material as the usual cape that is draped around you during a haircut. You can remove your shirt before putting on the robe or wear it over your shirt, if it fully covers your shirt. This is to protect your clothing while making it easier to move around than when you are draped in a cape.
Most aversions to haircuts can be lessened by asking questions at the salon. You are the client and have every right to take part in the decisions affecting your hair style. You should never feel pressured to buy products or even to go through with the haircut if you feel that the stylist is unwilling to listen to you during the pre-cut consultation.
Haircuts can cause some anxiety, but understanding the cause of that anxiety can help lessen it.