Living with psoriasis has its challenges, one of which is visiting the barber. Between the embarrassment you feel having someone else so close to your hair and the need for a cut that camouflages your symptoms as much as possible, barber visits can be stressful and uneasy. Below, you'll find a few tips to make your barber appointments easier and more productive for both you and the barber.
Call and talk to the barber beforehand.
Even if a place accepts walk-ins, it's to your advantage to call the barber shop and make an appointment beforehand. At this point, you should let the barber or their receptionist know that you have psoriasis. This ensures they will leave a little extra time for your appointment, and it also means the barber won't be taken aback when they see your scalp. Most barbers will have seen psoriasis before, so they won't be alarmed if they know what to expect. You just don't want to catch them off guard at a particularly busy time when they may not be able to give your hair the extra care and attention it needs.
Bring your own products, if needed.
If you use a specialized shampoo, such as a coal tar shampoo, bring it with you to the barber. Many salon products may be irritating to your psoriasis, and you don't want to take the chance and have a bad breakout the next day. If your products come with any unusual instructions—for example, if you need to leave the shampoo on your scalp for a minute before rinsing—point these instructions out to your barber. Do pay to have your hair washed before your cut, as this will remove any loose skin and make it easier for your barber to work.
Bring photos of haircuts you like.
This is a helpful tip for anyone, but it's even more important when you have psoriasis and are looking for a cut that will cover or camouflage your patches. Look for pictures of styles that have a lot of hair in the areas where your psoriasis is worst. Discuss each photo and what you like about them with the barber. They may have to make a few adjustments to suit your unique hair, but they should be able to craft a cut you love while taking your psoriasis into account.
With the tips above, visiting a barber shop (such as Barber Bart) with psoriasis can be a pleasant experience, not an embarrassing one.
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