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?

Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.
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.

I'm laughing out loud at the "generational reference". Really, my pamplemousse La Croix almost went down the wrong way. As a Gen X-er, I want to thank you for remembering us. I also feel I must add my completely outdated and useless opinion. In a word well known by my generation: "Whatever".

I couldn't care less what color your hair is (or what tattoos you have). I am perfectly blasé on the subject. Tattoos and pink/purple/green hair abound these days in my neck of the woods and therefore they have long stopped being interesting or showing individuality. I also don't connect skill level, competency or anything of that sort to the color of someone's hair. You can be a mighty fine nurse with purple hair.

That being said, I have worked with (and gone to school with) a few people (for generational reference, they were "millennials") who seem to have a bit of a chip on their shoulder about their body art and hair color/style. I sometimes commented that you can do what you want with your hair and your skin, however, in doing so, you have to understand that people will have opinions or thoughts about it that you might not appreciate. These thoughts could be about anything from assessments of your professionalism (or lack thereof) to just plain thinking you look ridiculous (or beautiful!). If you choose to get a tattoo or have an unconventional hair color, you'll just have to deal with that fact and whatever may or may not come of it. Oh and personally, I stopped getting carded quite a while ago and I dare anyone to tell me I can't wear ponytails and my pink romper anymore!

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Specializes in Psychiatric.
I'm laughing out loud at the "generational reference". Really, my pamplemousse La Croix almost went down the wrong way. As a Gen X-er, I want to thank you for remembering us. I also feel I must add my completely outdated and useless opinion. In a word well known by my generation: "Whatever".

I couldn't care less what color your hair is (or what tattoos you have). I am perfectly blasé on the subject. Tattoos and pink/purple/green hair abound these days in my neck of the woods and therefore they have long stopped being interesting or showing individuality. I also don't connect skill level, competency or anything of that sort to the color of someone's hair. You can be a mighty fine nurse with purple hair.

That being said, I have worked with (and gone to school with) a few people (for generational reference, they were "millennials") who seem to have a bit of a chip on their shoulder about their body art and hair color/style. I sometimes commented that you can do what you want with your hair and your skin, however, in doing so, you have to understand that people will have opinions or thoughts about it that you might not appreciate. These thoughts could be about anything from assessments of your professionalism (or lack thereof) to just plain thinking you look ridiculous (or beautiful!). If you choose to get a tattoo or have an unconventional hair color, you'll just have to deal with that fact and whatever may or may not come of it. Oh and personally, I stopped getting carded quite a while ago and I dare anyone to tell me I can't wear ponytails and my pink romper anymore!

I'd look forward to seeing you everyday in your pink romper!

How many times have you heard "I couldn't do your job".

Couldn't do it? Okay cool, well I can.

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Personally, I don't care if someone has tattoos/dyed hair and wouldn't think they were incompetent.

HOWEVER...this seems like a bad idea since you already know that your manager isn't super into it. Why don't you get those clip on dyed hair strands and clip them into your hair on your days off, then remove them before going in to work?

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
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.

THIS!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
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!

Bear in mind as well that at your present stage in your career, purple hair might not be a deal breaker. But should you want to advance your career into administration, education, etc. at some future date, the decision makers may well remember you (negatively) as "that one who had the purple hair". So you risk the loss of future career moves if you choose to go ahead with with the dye job.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

If you're really determined, I know of several nurses who wore their hair in unnatural colors or dramatic cuts and just wore a scrub cap at work all the time, similar to the way people with arm tattoos wear long sleeves at work. They can't object to your hair at work if they never see it.

Unfortunately, many institutions have dress codes that prohibit wearing scrub caps at work except in the OR.

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Dye it a weird color and just tell anyone who asks that it's due to a genetic disorder.

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Specializes in ER.

no! unprofessional. Just as nose rings, face tattoos. We are a profession. Professional demeanor, professional decorum.

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Hi there, I have a small strip of pink in my hair. They never said anything. The old fogies gotta go! Try it. If they tell you get rid of it, you can always get it colored back near your color.

Where, exactly... should I go?

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Specializes in ICU.
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:

Actually, everybody pretty much gets carded these days. Even 80 year old women. It's a policy many places have in place so people don't have to differentiate. So, that card doesn't really work here. I'm actually kind of in agreement with that sentiment that you are 30, not 18, and that makes a difference in professionalism. It's one thing to put a couple of hidden streaks in there. I guess us Gen-Xr's are just old fogies these days.

That 18 year old with green hair will probably get hired over the 30 year old with green hair. There's a difference whether you want to see that or not. I know you already have a job, but I'm hoping you understand what I am saying here.

Look, I'm 40, I get it. There are times when I would love to have lavender hair or do something just way out of the ordinary. I do not in any way, shape, or form, look 40. I still wear Pink sweatpants and T-shirts. At home only. They are the most comfy, long lasting, clothes out there. Some of their sweatpants I have had for almost 5 years and still look great. Plus, I can afford $54 for a pair of sweatpants that will last me. Most 22 year olds can't. But, you won't see me wearing them to Target. I know I'm technically too old to wear that stuff. But, I can't get past the comfort. Plus, I wear my hair in braids, at home. You won't see me do that at work. I know I'm not 20.

I don't advertise that I am 40. But I will pull it out when I'm dosing out some wisdom. People respect wisdom. With age comes a little bit of stability and wisdom. I absolutely feared turning the big 4-0. But, I will tell you this has been the most fabulous year of my life. But I do recognize that I won't be wearing any sequin mini-dresses anytime in life anymore!!

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Specializes in Haem/Onc.

To be fair, my hospital does have a policy that says my hair has to be natural colours, and I still dyed mine pink. I slowly pushed the limits though, dying it a pretty bright red which is a normal colour around here, although not natural, and then covering that with pink so I had dark pink hair, and then when I bleached it I ended up with paler pinky red, and kept bleaching until I was blonde. Then when I was blonde I dyed my hair pastel pink on my days off with a colour that should wash out, and it didn't wash out completely, so my hair was very pale pink at work, and my manager didn't really care at all. I did bleach it back to blonde within a few weeks though.

I'm with you on not seeing why it should be unprofessional, but accept that some people do think it is, and that those people could affect things enough it probably isn't worth it.

I don't know how long your hair is, but maybe you could dip dye the ends and then just tuck them out of the way when your hair is up for work?

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You show up at work with a 'unconventional Hair Color" or Hairstyle and you will be going home that day without pay, and not coming back until you look professional.

Last year had a employee come to work with a Mohawk, He tried to tell me it was a military thing. He got sent home that morning. He came back later that day with very short hair. I don't play.

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