Unconventional hair colors

Nurses General Nursing

Published

  1. Are wild hair colors ok in the hospital environment?

    • 32
      Yes, obviously. The fact that people seriously think hair color is a critical element of professional credibility is dumb.
    • 35
      It depends on the color. A nice dark allover purple? Sure, why not. Rainbow stripes or Jered Leto-Joker green? Maybe not.
    • 67
      No. Whether you like it or not people judge based on appearance, and bright blue hair might come across as immature or unprofessional.
    • 2
      Youths!! RUN!!!

136 members have participated

What are your thoughts on unconventional hair colors (purple, pink, turquoise, etc.) in the workplace?

I'm 30 years old and I've always wanted to try out a fun, totally unnatural hair color but until recently I've always been far too timid to actually go for it. For a while now I've been dying to try out the gorgeous silvery lavender or baby pink hues I see on other people.

My nursing school had an explicit "natural human hair colors only" rule, but now that I'm working for an employer that has no set hair color policy in place (and is also not referenced at all in policies relating to hygiene, general appearance, etc.) I'm wondering if I could actually pull this off.

For reference, I work on a tele/step down unit in a moderately conservative area. I ran this by my favorite house supervisor (for generational reference she would be a gen-xer) and she wasn't excited about the idea. Her position was that the hospital environment is where appearing to be "professional" is paramount, and that a huge chunk of the patient population is 65+ and might not look kindly on it. In short, pink hair would undermine my professionalism.

I understand her reasoning there, but I also feel strongly that hair color (or tattoos, for that matter) have absolutely nothing to do with competence or professionalism. If everything else about my appearance is boring and conservative as usual what difference does hair color make? Additionally, I think she's underestimating the older generations she's worried about offending. It's a bit of a stereotype to assume that all of our older patients would be clutching their pearls or eyeing me with suspicion just because of purple hair, right?

Thoughts?

roser13, ASN, RN

6,504 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Your thoughts are your thoughts and you are entitled to them. Your outward appearance does not necessarily reflect your competence.

It remains to be seen if your potential employers/patients feel as you do. If they don't, and tend to hold your hair color against you, as in "We only hire nurses with conventional hair colors," your personal situation will dictate whether you decide to hold fast to your standards, or to give in, in order to earn a living. Keep in mind that your managers/patients may have no desire/need whatsoever to accommodate your less-than-conventional hair choices.

Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.

The facility that I work for does not have a policy in place, and I know of many nurses, techs, etc who have unconventional hair colors. One of our hospitalists (who is older than me) has multi-colored hair (dark blue, dk green, purple and magenta highlights in her dk brown hair). It doesn't seem to be a problem.

However, the facility I worked at previously does have a policy in place: NO unnatural hair colors. And as this facility is owned by the largest system in the area, a lot of facilities have that policy in place. It is going to depend on the policy of the facility. I would suggest that you wait until after you are hired and know the exact policy. Sometimes unnatural hair color can be a deal breaker.

Guest219794

2,453 Posts

I ran this by my favorite house supervisor (for generational reference she would be a gen-xer) and she wasn't excited about the idea

You asked a knowledgeable experienced professional you know, like, and trust. She thought it was a bad idea. Now you are looking for opinions from a bunch of strangers unfamiliar with your community and work environment.

If this thread sticks around long enough, you should get a bunch of support.

Sour Lemon

5,016 Posts

I understand you to a point, because I've always liked the "crazy" colors, but never had enough nerve to try them in my youth. If I'm being honest about my opinion, though ...age 30 is too old for pink and purple hair unless you're involved in the arts and preforming on a stage somewhere.

Your facility may not specifically disallow purple hair, but it may not have had a need to up to this point. Proceed with caution. There may be other language about "professionalism" in the dress code that's open to your manager's interpretation as well as your own.

Specializes in Critical Care.

Fair enough! While I wouldn't be breaking any rules I would hate to spend a bunch of time and money on attaining the perfect shade of purple only to be told to dye it back.

Just curious about how other nurses view hair color in regards to "professionalism" and how tightly staff appearance is controlled at other hospitals.

Specializes in Critical Care.
If I'm being honest about my opinion, though ...age 30 is too old for pink and purple hair unless you're involved in the arts and preforming on a stage somewhere.

Hahahaha stop that. As far as I'm concerned, the day I stop being carded every time I buy alcohol and people stop assuming I'm a baby fresh out of college is the day I will CONSIDER being "too old" for something.

Besides, this might be the push I need to get that lounge act off the ground :cheeky:

llg, PhD, RN

13,469 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Personally, I am OK with unnatural hair color on other people -- but would never do it myself because I realize that it could hurt my career. Therefore, I voted for the "it depends" option. I recommend that you do some more assessment of your work environment (e.g. talk to your manager, educator, etc.) before taking action. If you truly feel that the culture of your workplace would be fine with it (and that 1 supervisor was an outlier), then go for it -- though I would keep it relatively tame at first. But if you find hesitance/resistance ... then you'll need to be prepared for some negative consequences if you go ahead with it.

I always wanted what I call "rock star hair" -- wild and colorful -- but never did it because of wanting to be successful in my career. However, I have found compromises over the years. Right now, my hair is very short and can be describes as fluffy, spikey, tosselled, messy, etc. depending on the exact length and product that I use. My natural color is multiple shades -- of gray and brown. So, it's kind'a rock starish in a way -- as least I like to tell myself that.

llg (age 61)

Extra Pickles

1,403 Posts

generally speaking if you find yourself asking if something is unprofessional, and someone you know and trust tells you it's unprofessional, it's unprofessional!

if you don't care that crazy hair colors might negatively affect your career then you should do whatever you like with your hair, it's your hair. but if your career is important enough to you to worry that crazy hair colors would hurt your chances of success in a professional environment then you shouldn't get crazy hair.

we all make choices in life and some things are a priority and some things aren't. you just have to figure out where your career and cosmetics fit onto that scale lol!

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I am a makeup artist on the side, and I love all forms of creative expression, including funky fashion, hair, makeup, etc. That said, my pink hair comes from a spray can or chalk that I can temporarily apply on days off and wash away in the shower. A nurse's unnatural hair colors shouldn't detract from their perceived competence and professionalism, but in reality it unfortunately does. I have no interest in changing or challenging this. I just play by the rules, minimize drama, and collect my paycheck with my dirty blonde hair.

loriangel14, RN

6,931 Posts

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

My employer has no policy and I work with nurses with purple, pink, red and lavender hair. Two are over 50 and respected charge nurses. One gal has red with a blond chunk and then a thin stripe of electric blue. It doesn't stop her from being an awesome nurse. Saying you cannot be professional unless your hair is boring is silly. We actually have a doc with spiky purple hair. He's still a popular surgeon.

YOU may feel strongly that " hair color (or tattoos, for that matter) have absolutely nothing to do with competence or professionalism. " Your patient population.. may or may not feel differently about that.

" I'm working for an employer that has no set hair color policy in place (and is also not referenced at all in policies " So go ahead .. come to work with pink spiked hair.. and see what develops. Especially with paranoid psych admissions.

As for me.. when I see extremes in hair style or nose diamonds , or tattoos.. it is distracting and I then start focusing on the nose diamond thingie.

It's your hair.. best of luck.

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