Free shipping to 48 States!
Toll Free 1-800-882-4045
Visit our UK Site

Sensory Haircut Solutions

Written on . Posted in ADHD, Autism, Quick Tip, Sensory Processing Disorder, Sensory Solutions, Sensory Tips


For those who struggle with sensory processing, haircuts can be stressful and upsetting. Luckily, there are plenty of sensory haircut solutions to help make the process easier; in this post, we’ll run through some tips for being able to offer sensory-friendly haircuts. 


Sensory-Friendly Hairstyles

For some people, just having hair can be a trigger. Before you can head to the salon or break out the scissors, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. This applies whether you are getting your own hair cut or thinking about your child.

  • Short cuts, like a buzzcut or a pixie cut, can eliminate the need for brushing, make washing much easier and remove the feeling of strands of hair on the neck or shoulders. However, they may necessitate the use of clippers and will require more frequent cuts to maintain the style.
  • Long hair will need cutting much less frequently but comes at the cost of needing more brushing, washing and time for styling. It also means having strands of hair that can brush against the skin.


 


Sensory Haircut Solutions

Preparation

  1. Decide whether a salon haircut is the best choice. Many neurodivergent people find that a great solution to haircut sensory issues is cutting their own hair at home, allowing them to bypass certain triggers and be more comfortable. A good compromise on these might be a home-visit stylist.
  2. Be clear in advance about how the day will go. If you are a caregiver, make sure you are very clear about what day and time the haircut will be, how long it will take and what else will happen that day. Visual reminders are usually best!
  3. Discuss hairstyles in advance. You might want to consider what length and style you would like, and the sensory issues that each might solve/present. 
  4. Plan a reward or recovery period after the cut. A haircut can be mentally draining so following it up with a treat of some kind or even just some time to lay around the house is a great way to ensure that the aftermath of the haircut is sensory-friendly too.
  5. Roleplay the situation. Particularly for children, it can be useful to do some roleplay – ask them the same sort of questions a hairstylist might and let them prepare answers. This can reduce anxiety and help them acclimate, as well as giving you an idea of some of their preferences.


General Sensory-Friendly Haircut Tips

Wherever the haircut takes place, these tips are good to know!

  1. Allow frequent breaks. This is a great sensory haircut solution to avoid becoming uncomfortable – you (or the stylist) might cut for one minute and then stop, using a timer to make the time easier to manage. You might implement a stop/start rule, where the person having their hair cut can choose to say ‘stop’ when they need a break or if something is making them uncomfortable.
  2. Offer sensory products as a distraction. Portable sensory toys can be used to provide positive sensory stimulation and offer comfort. For example, our Perfect Petzzz are soft, huggable and simulate realistic breathing to calm and reassure.
  3. Use alternative seating. Although this is easier to do at home, taking something along like a vibrating sensory cushion is a great way to provide sensory stimulation and make the process easier. Even just standing or sitting on the floor can help!
  4. Acclimate to key stimuli ahead of time. You might listen to the sound of clippers or scissors or smell hair products so that these things are less overwhelming in the moment. 
  5. Have a consistent routine. To minimize the stress of haircuts and sensory processing, try to ensure that they are done on a consistent schedule. This might be the same hairstylist or barber every time, the same salon, the same time or day in the month.


 


In the Salon

If you decide that visiting the salon or barber is your preferred sensory haircut solution, there are a few ways to make the visit more enjoyable.

  1. Research your hairstylist. If you do decide to go to a salon, make sure you research the stylist, as you might be able to find one in your area who has experience with offering sensory-friendly haircuts. 
  2. Book a quiet time. Where possible, try to avoid visiting the salon or barber on a Saturday afternoon when it will be busy. Ask when they are typically quieter, as this will be a little less overwhelming.
  3. Take someone with you. If you are an adult going to the salon, you might ask a friend to come with you. Many salons are fine with this, especially if you come at a quiet time, and your friend can help distract you or even field small talk for you!
  4. Cape or no cape? Most hair salons offer some kind of cape that wraps around the neck to catch hairs, but there are alternatives if that isn’t suitable. Some people choose a towel around their neck to stop trimmed hairs going into their shirt for a more sensory-friendly haircut. Others wear a ‘haircut shirt’, always the same shirt to ensure that their other clothes don’t end up with spiky bits of hair stuck to them.
  5. Consider extra services. Many hair salons or barbers will offer different elements as part of the cut, including a hair wash, a scalp massage or styling the cut with products. This may be useful – some people find that the scalp massage relaxes them and prepares them for a lot of head-touching – or may be overwhelming. You can say no to anything if you don’t want it!


 


At Home

  1. Create a relaxing environment. Being at home means you can be surrounded by comforting or distracting toys and devices; play any music you like (or none!) and even use aromatherapy. Encourage safe stimming – fiddling with a tangle toy or touching a fiber optic carpet won’t involve movement if you’re trying to cut their hair, but might help them cope.
  2. Do the trim on a sheet or tarpaulin. For those who find trimmed hairs a sensory nightmare, doing the haircut on a sheet means that all of the hair can be easily gathered up and nothing will stick to carpets or rugs to torment you later.
  3. Clothing optional! When cutting your own hair or your child’s hair, it might be best to do it in the bathroom and simply not wear a shirt. That way, when the cut is over, you can simply step into the shower and wash it all away!
  4. Watch a movie. One great sensory haircut solution is that if you cut their hair in front of the TV, you can put on a comfort movie or TV show to distract them. You could also sit in front of a bubble tube or some fiber optic strands to help calm them.
  5. Take your time. The great thing about cutting your hair at home is that there are no time limits. In fact, you don’t even have to finish the cut in one sitting. While this might drag out the process somewhat, it can be significantly more comfortable.


We hope these sensory haircut solutions, tips and tricks help your or your child to navigate haircuts more successfully. Check out our blog for more articles about disability and neurodivergence, covering topics like sensory-seeking behavior and autism facts and myths. Alternatively, check out our wide range of sensory products to stimulate the senses, and even create your own sensory room with our free 3D design service!