To Wash or not to Wash? That is the Question...

There is a common question that most people ask or at least think about before their salon appointment. For those stylists that have deep roots in the hair game, we continue to encounter this question REGULARLY. Should I have clean hair before my appointment? The answer is, YES! You should never show up to your hair appointment with dingy hair. This includes not only color but haircut appointments as well.

Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to wash it the night before or the morning of your appointment, but as long as your hair isn’t greasy to the point of clumping together, you should be okay. Also, it is best to not show up with a messy top knot or bun as well.

There are a few reasons why clean and smooth hair is necessary before your appointment. If you’re getting your color done, i.e. highlights, root touch-up, gloss, etc., the layer of built-up oil and product residue could affect how the color processes. This means that if you are scheduled for highlights your hair could lift (lighten) either not as bright, or worse, spotty and uneven. This will create a host of problems for your hair stylist and could potentially cost you lots more money.

Another reason is that, if your hair is dirty, crimped, and creased from being worn up, it makes it harder for your stylist to analyze your hair. This is particularly important for a haircut. During my consultations for both haircuts and color, I like to see how the hair is going to naturally fall so that I can use certain cutting techniques or come up with specific highlighting and color placements for my clients. If your hair has been up in a bun all day, there’s no way that I’m going to be able to see how it naturally falls. I can either continue with the service and hope for the best, or wash and dry the hair, and as we all know—time is money.

The lesson here is to give your stylist the best possible canvas to work on. Both you and they will appreciate it and you’ll get optimal results when it comes to your hair service.

But of course, as I always say, when in doubt, reach out!