As the owner of Heather Annz Hair Salon, I often get asked if clients should wash their hair before coming in for an appointment. The answer depends on what services you have booked, the condition of your hair, and your personal preferences. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to wash before your salon visit:
Pros of Washing Your Hair First
- It’s courteous to your stylist. Coming in with freshly washed hair shows respect for your stylist’s time and skills. They will appreciate not having to work with excessively dirty or oily hair which can be more difficult to color, cut, and style.
- Better color results. When hair is washed, the cuticle is opened and more receptive to color absorption. Color also appears more vibrant on hair that is free from oil and product buildup. Washing before color services leads to better results that last longer.
- Accurate haircuts. Clean, product-free hair is easier for stylists to assess in terms of texture, curl pattern, growth directions, and other factors that impact how hair is cut. Stylists can better customize cuts to your hair’s natural tendencies when the hair is washed.
- A cleaner experience. Washing at home minimizes loose hair shed during salon services adding to the mess. It provides a more pleasant experience for both you and your stylist.
Cons of Pre-Washing Your Hair
- Added time. If you are crunched for time, the extra 15-30 minutes spent washing and drying your hair can make you late for your appointment. Call ahead to confirm if washing at the salon will delay your start time.
- Difficulty styling. Freshly washed hair that is puffy or frizzy can be harder for stylists to blow out smoothly or set in an updo style. Unwashed hair with a little natural oil is often more cooperative. Discuss your stylist’s preference based on the looks you want.
- Disrupting your routine. Some clients prefer to wash at the salon to avoid messing up their at-home hair wash routine or schedule. As long as hair is not excessively dirty, washing at the salon is typically fine. Just be sure to budget in extra time for the service.
- Saving time. Skipping a wash before shorter services like a bang trim, blowout or treatment can save you time both at home and in the salon chair. For express services under an hour, washing at the salon is usually efficient unless your hair is overly oily.
Overall, while washing before most salon visits is ideal, use your best judgment based on the factors above regarding your hair and the types of services booked. A quick phone call to your stylist for their recommendation is also never a bad idea. At Heather Annz Hair Salon, our goal is for you to have an enjoyable, customized experience with stunning results. We are happy to work with you as needed to determine the best approach for your hair before your appointment. See you soon!