OR hair advice - please do not laugh! (long-ish)

[HeatherB,CST]

[color=#191970]ok, ladies, (and gents too) the former hairstylist is coming to you pros for hair advice! i am in the first semester of a 2-yr surgical technology program after 10+ years as a colorist/stylist.

[color=#191970]my hair has been short since my 12yo was born, and about a year ago i started growing it out. right now my hair is at that annoying length between chin and shoulder. it is just barely long enough to put in a ponytail without anything falling out, but the ponytail is a big silly puff on the back of my head. thinking ahead to 10 or so months from now when i will start clinicals, would it be wiser for me to grow it out longer, or just go short? i like short hair, but i also wanted to go long once more before i get too old to pull long hair off. my thinking is that if i grow it over the next year, it will be long enough to put all up under the hat/cap.

the problem with long hair, though, is that my hair is extremely thick and wavy. when i shampoo it, it takes about 45 minutes to blow it dry if it's long. at longer lengths i usually shampoo every 3 or 4 days. (shower cap on off-days, i still shower lol) but if i am going into an or, i would want to be freshly shampooed every day. i am not willing to get up 45 minutes early to blow it out, and it takes 2/3 hours to air-dry. if i put it up in a bun wet, it will still be damp inside 24 hours later, probably even mildewy at that point .

short would abviously be simpler in the morning, i can air-dry short hair on the way to work, but more maintainence haircut-wise. my apprehension is that this is really my last chance to have long hair. also, my hubby would love to see it long again. he doesn't get final say, but i still wanna make him happy if it isn't too much of a pain in the rear for me. if i go short now, it will most probably end up staying short until i leave this earth.

i am at the point where i need to choose whether to cut or grow, and i really just want to make the best practical decision. i would love long, but i am not going to base my decision on how cute i look. i am also happy in short hair, if it needs to be so. if someone can share experiences or things i can do to make the long thick hair work in the or, i would love it. if most or gals just end up going short anyway, i'm gonna do it now, because the puff ponytail is driving me insane. i also want to avoid starting clinicals and realizing that i have to really quick find someone to cut it because it is a problem in the or.

i hope this doesn't sound like a silly or shallow question. it really is important to me, and i would love some inside info. my hair has obviously been a big part of my professional identity in the past. the criteria for a professional image are very different in this industry than my previous one. [color=#191970]

fwiw, color is not an issue, i will not be going magenta or blue anymore, i outgrew that phase!

thanks!

heather

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Don't blow it out everyday for the OR. Stick it up on your head in a bun or braid. Style it for occasions.

:)

[HeatherB,CST]

Do you think the fact that it stays wet in a bun/braid all day will be a problem? Microbe-wise I mean...it really does smell musty after 18 hrs in a wet bun, even if it's squeaky-clean to begin with. Tap water has so many critters in it. Ew.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Can't you dry it a little and put it up when you get to work? It should be drier by then, no?

[HeatherB,CST]

Possibly. It's the most fuzzy/uncontrollable (imagine trying to contain a small tumbleweed in a rubber band and scrub hat) when it's half-dry, unless I coat it with a silicone-type serum. My main concern is little rebellious strands working their way out of the scrub hat. What's the rule of thumb about hair products in the OR? Do I need to be product-free in case of pt sensitivity?

Thanks for being patient with me. I am painfully aware that this subject is considered by many to be frivolous and not worthy of so much discussion. Hair is different because it's attatched to you. You can't just leave at home if it's not workin' for ya.

[ebear, BSN, RN]

There are scrub caps that you can order that are specifically designed for long hair. Just slightly dry your hair before going in to work, no need to wear it in a bun with the appropriate cap. Styling products are fine, as your hair will be completely covered (and will look like crap) all day. I have worked with MANY nurses who do this.

ebear

[HeatherB,CST]

There are scrub caps that you can order that are specifically designed for long hair. Just slightly dry your hair before going in to work, no need to wear it in a bun with the appropriate cap. Styling products are fine, as your hair will be completely covered (and will look like crap) all day. I have worked with MANY nurses who do this.

ebear

LOL Looking like crap is fine, it will look lousy under a cap at any length. I am concerned about the logistics of keeping myself all put together during a long procedure. If those caps work, then I'm good. Thanks!

One more question, then I promise I'll stop it: Does that mean I could get away with shampooing every other day as long as the cap is a new clean one, or should I still stick to the every morning plan?

[ebear, BSN, RN]

Frequency is entirely up to you! I personally think every other day is sufficient. The caps have a covered elastic band at the nape of the neck and a wide flat band at the front. They do a good job of keeping the hair contained. Occasionally, a strand of hair escapes from ANY cap! Someone who is not scrubbed will tuck it back in. Now, get off your "rock of ages" and go do it!

ebear

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Personally, I wouldn't worry that microbes will jump out of the patient, through the air, onto and through the cap, and into your hair.

[HeatherB,CST]

Personally, I wouldn't worry that microbes will jump out of the patient, through the air, onto and through the cap, and into your hair.

I'm sorry, Suesquatch, I did not word that clearly. I was thinking the reverse - my big fat rebellious hair contaminating the field.

Thanks to you both for the input!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry, Suesquatch, I did not word that clearly. I was thinking the reverse - my big fat rebellious hair contaminating the field.

Thanks to you both for the input!

Goodness, no. Just smoosh it into th cap.

:)

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I keep my hair long enough to put into a pony tail, clip, braid, or bun.

My hair is not wet in the morning, because i don't shower in the morning. I shower in the evening. I want that fried human tissue smell GONE!!!

The main thing i focus on (aside from the obvious neat and clean) is never putting my hair up in the same way everyday. I get more breakage, not to mention that sore spot from the hair getting pulled.