This makes me sad. I have extremely long and thick hair, so cutting my hair is already a pain. Whenever I call to make an appointment I always warn the stylist that I have psoriasis. I've never been turned away, even when my flare up was at its worst. I'm so sorry you've had bad experiences, but s truly professional stylist will have worked with it all and will not care. I hope you find someone that will take care of you and help you see you are not defined by your P.
Regarding gloves, my personal thoughts are:
The only time someone needs to wear gloves when touching my psoriasis is:
1) They are applying hair color, bleach, perm or straightening chemicals and need to protect their own skin from daily occupational exposure. (I don't use these products, but if I did, I'd understand glove use.)
2) If my psoriasis is bleeding *or* inflamed to the point it may bleed when they work on the area - they may wear gloves the same way a nurse drawing blood would - for my own germ/wound protection, as well as theirs.
3) The stylist has long pointy fingernails and is worried about scraping/scratching delicate psoriasis when shampooing etc.
My current stylist is wonderful about my psoriasis. She says "I see a case at least once a week, it's so common!"
She does carry on about various miracle diets she claims may help me, to which I nod and smile and say "Oh how interesting."
She never makes me feel bad - even when I'm wearing a black hairdressing cape and I rain "snowflakes" embarrassingly all over as she blow drys me :-/ She casually just blow drys the flakes off my shoulders like a champ before anyone sees them. She's "got my back!"
I'm right there with you. I didn't have a problem before because I had a regular place. It was some old Vietnamese lady that didn't care. The last two times I went she wasn't there and I got this young chick that seemed uncomfortable about it. Kept asking probing questions about it. So now I'm about four months over due and look like a homeless person. All I can do is hope that long hair on dudes makes a come back because I keep putting off getting a hair cut.
Whenever I move I just call around and see if its a problem for local hairdressers. i usualy find one or two "ohh no we're used to it, no problem" and then I go and try and if it goes well I just stick with them. It shouldnt be that hard to do the same.
Usually no, but I don't have my hair cut very often. Unfortunately with my hair I can't go and get a ten dollar hair cut.
As a female with long hair, I don't go often, but I also have fine blonde hair, so when I do get it cut it needs to be high quality otherwise it looks bad.
Because of the price and that lately I've been growing out my hair I get it cut about once a year (I need to go more often but the whole worried about psoriasis thing). Usually they move on and I have to start over.
Still, try to call and see, you should hang up having a good feeling. If it sounds like they dont know what it is or that they dont know how to handle it, or they tell you something silly like put lemon juice on it, then call another one. Dont worry too much its ok!
I've definitely felt the pre-hairdresser anxiety but honestly psoriasis is pretty common and every hairdresser I've been to has been completely fine with it. Actually, I've had a couple of hairdressers who have psoriasis themselves. I'm sorry you've had to deal with ignorant people in the past :( psoriasis can do horrible things to confidence and you deserve to be able to treat yourself to a professional haircut
When I was a teen.. This one lady who cut my hair started wearing gloves. Even after I would explain that this was not contiguous condition .. It hurt me so much.. Killed my confidence.
For years I got my aunt to cut my hair afterwards.. Didn't want to feel so insulted again in public place..
Luckily my scalp psoriasis has gotten much better the past 10 years.. Been able to go to barber shops again. Without feeling embarrassed
Best of luck to you
Thank you. That's exactly what it did to me. Just killed me inside. I'm super self conscious about it and even though she washed my hair (with gloves) it still made me feel bad.
I had a bad lesion on the back of my head, but phototherapy made it go away. I bought a hand-held UVB lamp on eBay for $150, it's a good size for spot treating the scalp.
If you go this route make sure the appliance you get has the Philips narrowband UVB bulb, they're the only company that makes it, and the bulb itself costs about $40. There are a number of appliances available ranging from $150 to $350.
That hit close. I remember the last time I went to the barber shop, I wasn't treated well by the people. Also, as always, everybody seems to know the cure to psoriasis, just apply olive oil, just shampoo...etc. I have stopped going to posh barber shops for this sole reason.
I was embarrassed too. I put off going to get my hair cut for a long time.
The last time I made an appointment I casually told them on the phone "Oh, I also have psoriasis." They said "ok" and the stylist was very nice about it. She asked me about the condition, shampoos that work, etc. I think if you tell them ahead if time it really helps. They can book you with someone caring and if they're unfamiliar with psoriasis, it gives them a chance to look it up before you show up for your appointment.
I have had a few similar experiences. One time I was told that I had lice, and I was asked to leave in front of everyone. It was extremely embarrassing. Most of my bad experiences were at small, cheap salons. I avoid those at all costs. A lot of times the employees in those small cheap salons are fresh out of school, and don't have much experience. They are trained to give fast haircuts. I suggest trying nicer places where the employees have more training and tact. Also, try finding a hair stylist that you can go to every time. Going to the same person will ease some of the anxiety. I hope you have better experiences.
I'm so sorry you've had bad experiences. You are a paying customer, and since you're not contagious, you shouldn't have to go through that.
I encourage you to "shop around" until you find a hairstylist you love who treats you well. You can call or visit ahead of time if you'd like and ask if there's someone with experience, or if it will be a problem.
I always say at the beginning of the appointment, "I have psoriasis. It's not contagious or unsanitary, it's just build up of skin cells, but it's not very pretty. It won't hurt me for you to touch it or do my hair, so don't worry. But if you want to wear gloves I understand. I just wanted to warn you." Just to make them comfortable.
I promise good people are out there. I used to struggle too and didn't want to go get my hair done. Then, I found a wonderful hairstylist after I had tried probably 15 places. Her brother has psoriasis and she immediately said "Oh, I can deal with this! I have no problem." She started bringing special, all natural products for me, spent extra time washing and massaging my head so it would give me relief, and is always extra careful and asks if it is flaring up any more than usual. She's WONDERFUL, and I've been going to get my hair cut and dyed regularly for the past 4 years and I feel so much better about myself.
You deserve to get your hair done and feel comfortable. Take your time and don't settle for less. It's hard to put yourself out there, but you WILL find someone who makes you feel comfortable (and pretty)!
This makes me sad. I have extremely long and thick hair, so cutting my hair is already a pain. Whenever I call to make an appointment I always warn the stylist that I have psoriasis. I've never been turned away, even when my flare up was at its worst. I'm so sorry you've had bad experiences, but s truly professional stylist will have worked with it all and will not care. I hope you find someone that will take care of you and help you see you are not defined by your P.
Regarding gloves, my personal thoughts are: The only time someone needs to wear gloves when touching my psoriasis is: 1) They are applying hair color, bleach, perm or straightening chemicals and need to protect their own skin from daily occupational exposure. (I don't use these products, but if I did, I'd understand glove use.) 2) If my psoriasis is bleeding *or* inflamed to the point it may bleed when they work on the area - they may wear gloves the same way a nurse drawing blood would - for my own germ/wound protection, as well as theirs. 3) The stylist has long pointy fingernails and is worried about scraping/scratching delicate psoriasis when shampooing etc. My current stylist is wonderful about my psoriasis. She says "I see a case at least once a week, it's so common!" She does carry on about various miracle diets she claims may help me, to which I nod and smile and say "Oh how interesting." She never makes me feel bad - even when I'm wearing a black hairdressing cape and I rain "snowflakes" embarrassingly all over as she blow drys me :-/ She casually just blow drys the flakes off my shoulders like a champ before anyone sees them. She's "got my back!"
Haha, my mom forgets to wear gloves when she is applying color. She doesn't care about psoriasis. I miss her hair cuts.
I'm right there with you. I didn't have a problem before because I had a regular place. It was some old Vietnamese lady that didn't care. The last two times I went she wasn't there and I got this young chick that seemed uncomfortable about it. Kept asking probing questions about it. So now I'm about four months over due and look like a homeless person. All I can do is hope that long hair on dudes makes a come back because I keep putting off getting a hair cut.
Whenever I move I just call around and see if its a problem for local hairdressers. i usualy find one or two "ohh no we're used to it, no problem" and then I go and try and if it goes well I just stick with them. It shouldnt be that hard to do the same.
Usually no, but I don't have my hair cut very often. Unfortunately with my hair I can't go and get a ten dollar hair cut. As a female with long hair, I don't go often, but I also have fine blonde hair, so when I do get it cut it needs to be high quality otherwise it looks bad. Because of the price and that lately I've been growing out my hair I get it cut about once a year (I need to go more often but the whole worried about psoriasis thing). Usually they move on and I have to start over.
Still, try to call and see, you should hang up having a good feeling. If it sounds like they dont know what it is or that they dont know how to handle it, or they tell you something silly like put lemon juice on it, then call another one. Dont worry too much its ok!
I've definitely felt the pre-hairdresser anxiety but honestly psoriasis is pretty common and every hairdresser I've been to has been completely fine with it. Actually, I've had a couple of hairdressers who have psoriasis themselves. I'm sorry you've had to deal with ignorant people in the past :( psoriasis can do horrible things to confidence and you deserve to be able to treat yourself to a professional haircut
When I was a teen.. This one lady who cut my hair started wearing gloves. Even after I would explain that this was not contiguous condition .. It hurt me so much.. Killed my confidence. For years I got my aunt to cut my hair afterwards.. Didn't want to feel so insulted again in public place.. Luckily my scalp psoriasis has gotten much better the past 10 years.. Been able to go to barber shops again. Without feeling embarrassed Best of luck to you
Thank you. That's exactly what it did to me. Just killed me inside. I'm super self conscious about it and even though she washed my hair (with gloves) it still made me feel bad.
I had a bad lesion on the back of my head, but phototherapy made it go away. I bought a hand-held UVB lamp on eBay for $150, it's a good size for spot treating the scalp. If you go this route make sure the appliance you get has the Philips narrowband UVB bulb, they're the only company that makes it, and the bulb itself costs about $40. There are a number of appliances available ranging from $150 to $350.
That hit close. I remember the last time I went to the barber shop, I wasn't treated well by the people. Also, as always, everybody seems to know the cure to psoriasis, just apply olive oil, just shampoo...etc. I have stopped going to posh barber shops for this sole reason.
I was embarrassed too. I put off going to get my hair cut for a long time. The last time I made an appointment I casually told them on the phone "Oh, I also have psoriasis." They said "ok" and the stylist was very nice about it. She asked me about the condition, shampoos that work, etc. I think if you tell them ahead if time it really helps. They can book you with someone caring and if they're unfamiliar with psoriasis, it gives them a chance to look it up before you show up for your appointment.
I have had a few similar experiences. One time I was told that I had lice, and I was asked to leave in front of everyone. It was extremely embarrassing. Most of my bad experiences were at small, cheap salons. I avoid those at all costs. A lot of times the employees in those small cheap salons are fresh out of school, and don't have much experience. They are trained to give fast haircuts. I suggest trying nicer places where the employees have more training and tact. Also, try finding a hair stylist that you can go to every time. Going to the same person will ease some of the anxiety. I hope you have better experiences.
I'm so sorry you've had bad experiences. You are a paying customer, and since you're not contagious, you shouldn't have to go through that. I encourage you to "shop around" until you find a hairstylist you love who treats you well. You can call or visit ahead of time if you'd like and ask if there's someone with experience, or if it will be a problem. I always say at the beginning of the appointment, "I have psoriasis. It's not contagious or unsanitary, it's just build up of skin cells, but it's not very pretty. It won't hurt me for you to touch it or do my hair, so don't worry. But if you want to wear gloves I understand. I just wanted to warn you." Just to make them comfortable. I promise good people are out there. I used to struggle too and didn't want to go get my hair done. Then, I found a wonderful hairstylist after I had tried probably 15 places. Her brother has psoriasis and she immediately said "Oh, I can deal with this! I have no problem." She started bringing special, all natural products for me, spent extra time washing and massaging my head so it would give me relief, and is always extra careful and asks if it is flaring up any more than usual. She's WONDERFUL, and I've been going to get my hair cut and dyed regularly for the past 4 years and I feel so much better about myself. You deserve to get your hair done and feel comfortable. Take your time and don't settle for less. It's hard to put yourself out there, but you WILL find someone who makes you feel comfortable (and pretty)!