You shouldn’t worry about things like whether you need to wash your hair before getting a haircut; getting a haircut should be a relaxing, enjoyable experience. Keeping your hair clean is important for many reasons, even if you don’t have a scheduled appointment at the salon. However, you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you’ve had a particularly busy week and didn’t have time to wash your hair that morning.
So, should I wash my hair before a haircut?
Keep reading.
Table of Contents
Should I Wash My Hair Before A Haircut?
The type of haircut you typically get determines whether you should wash or not. You should bring freshly washed hair to the salon if you’re getting a dry cut.
Build up on the hair can weigh it down and the hair may lay differently than it does when it’s fresh and clean. A good way to tell whether a dry cut is needed is by looking at the type of haircut you’re going in for. Your stylist might be more inclined to do a dry cut if you just need a light trim, bang touch-up, or you want to add some layers to give your hair a little more movement (but not much length). This method is also more frequently used on straight hair in order to give it more shape rather than curls or waves.
It’s a different story if you typically get your hair cut while it’s wet, which is the most typical technique. “Since most stylists prefer to cut hair wet rather than dry, many will decide to wash your hair before cutting it.” This is particularly true if you want to trim an inch or more off the ends, have curls or coils that could use a little stretching before cutting, or want to add a lot more texture and layers. If you belong to this group, you can probably skip the shampoo before going to the salon.
You can always call ahead of time and inquire if the salon or stylist will give you a dry cut or wet cut if you’re visiting a new location.
Considerations When Deciding Whether To Wash Your Hair Before A Haircut
You can decide whether to wash your hair before cutting it by responding to the following questions.
What Kind Of Hair Do You Have?
When deciding whether to wash your hair or not before getting a haircut, the texture of your hair is an important consideration. Your hairstylist can dry cut your hair if it is straight and unwashed if it is straight.
Your hairstylist will prefer to work on pristine clean hair if you have curly or wavy hair. Prior to visiting the barbershop for your haircut, you can wash your hair. Wet hair straightens out for precise cuts and a clearly defined hairstyle, so your stylist may decide to work on it.
What Style Of Haircut Do You Have?
On fine, straight hair, a straightforward cut is simple enough, and your hairstylist may be content to simply wet the ends before cutting your hair. On dry, unwashed hair, a simple trim can be performed.
Your hair needs to be tidy and free of product buildup and grime if you want a more intricate haircut. If your hair is dirty, when you wash it, your hairstyle might look unkempt.
Will You Be Having Your Hair Cut And Styled?
When visiting a salon, many clients have their hair cut and styled simultaneously. If you are one of them, you might want to make sure you wash your hair because you don’t want your freshly cut and styled hair to look greasy and dirty!
However, some hairstyles work best when the hair hasn’t been washed for at least 24 hours before styling. Ask your hairstylist if they would prefer that you wash your hair the day before your appointment.
Does Your Hair Stylist Prefer To Wash Your Hair?
Some barbers and hairstylists outright object to working on greasy or unclean hair. You must respect this and wash your hair before your appointment if your barber or hairstylist belongs to one of them. If they anticipate you washing your hair before your appointment, some hairstylists will let you know.
Before an appointment, some hairstylists prefer that their clients refrain from washing their hair. The reason for this is that they want to examine the client’s hair’s texture and state before cleaning it with the appropriate supplies.
Before cutting your hair, some people would like to wash your scalp and hair using unique methods.
Ask your hairstylist what they anticipate of you if you are unsure of what is expected of you.
Is A Hair Wash Included With The Haircutting Services At Your Salon?
Many salons today provide a free hair wash before a hair styling appointment. Find out if your hairstylist offers this free service by asking them. Other hairdressers will happily wash your hair before cutting it, but they will charge you for the service.
Ask your hair stylist if you need to pay for the service or if it is free. You can wash your hair before leaving for your appointment if you don’t feel comfortable spending money on a hair wash.
Do You Intend To Donate Your Hair?
Make sure your hair is spotless before getting a haircut if you intend to donate your freshly cut hair. Your hair can be thoroughly cleaned of all the grime and dirt by using a clarifying shampoo.
Tips For Washing Hair Before A Haircut
- Pick a shampoo that is made for the type of hair you have.
- Use a clarifying shampoo to give your hair a spotless shine. Clarifying shampoos are made to remove product buildup, grease, and grime without damaging or drying out your hair. A great clarifying shampoo free of chemicals, WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar thoroughly cleans your hair without harming it and leaves it looking healthy, shiny, and vibrant.
- Utilize a moisturizing shampoo, such as WOW Skin Science Coconut Milk Shampoo, if your hair is dry and brittle. It fights frizz and gives your hair the ideal amount of hydration.
- Following a shampoo, conditioning your hair is important, but moderation is key.
- Rinse the shampoo and conditioner completely to remove all residue.
- Prior to getting a haircut, make sure your hair is completely dry. The hairstylist will wet your hair before cutting it if they prefer to work on wet hair.
Will My Stylist Be Grossed Out?
Because they might be concerned that their dirty hair will disgust their stylist, many people wash their hair before going to the salon. If you don’t know the person well, it’s normal to feel awkward.
For starters, unless your hair is truly matted and unattractive, your stylist has probably seen worse. The only thing at play here is the probability law. Your semi-dirty hair is probably not going to be one of the professional horror stories that comes from their line of work.
It’s crucial to remember that hairdressers and cosmetologists enter (and remain in) their professions because they find some level of enjoyment in what they do. We almost guarantee that hair does not repulse them.
Nevertheless, respect should always be shown. Your stylist probably doesn’t want to deal with filthy hair, even though they have probably seen it before.
Prior to getting your hair cut, just continue to wash it as usual, ideally at least 48 hours before going to the salon.
Using Dry Shampoo Before A Haircut
The starch or alcohol in dry shampoo absorbs extra oils and grease and is typically sprayed onto the scalp and hair from an aerosol can.
If you have oily hair and can’t wash it right away, this works great. Although, dry shampoo does not actually clean your hair.
Dry shampooing is an excellent hair care addition, but it shouldn’t be used in place of regular hair washing. Use dry shampoo sparingly and not as a substitute for your regular shampoo for the best results.
Because of this, the majority of stylists advise against using it before an appointment. If you do, be sure to schedule a wash before the cut to get rid of all of the extra product.
Between your last wash and your arrival at the salon, you must avoid using any products, including dry shampoo.
The ability of your hair to absorb the color can be hampered by those products if not. The worst case scenario is that they might also harm your hair chemically by reacting with the dye.
How Frequently Should I Wash My Hair?
With the exception of salon visits, how frequently should you wash your hair is a question that is raised by all of this information.
The majority of experts concur that washing your hair daily is unhealthy. It removes the healthy oils from your scalp and hair that keep them protected from the elements. Your scalp produces those oils for a reason, after all.
More frequently than every few days is too often to wash. Next, it depends on the texture, type, and sometimes lifestyle of your hair (for instance, if you work out frequently and your scalp perspires frequently, you’ll need to wash more frequently).
If you have particularly curly hair, you can use dry shampoo in between washes, co-wash, the Curly Girl Method, Squish to Condish, or rinse your hair.
How To Prepare Your Hair For A Cut?
Let’s wrap things up with a firm response to some crucial queries.
Maintain your normal washing and hair-care routine for the week or two prior to getting your hair cut. As a result, when the time comes for your hair to be cut, it will look the most like it normally would. The best way to receive insightful feedback during your haircut appointment is in this way.
Wash your hair 24 to 48 hours in advance of getting a haircut if you’re most people. Your stylist won’t feel uncomfortable working on your hair if it’s not too dirty.
If you choose to color your hair as well, some of the oils intended to lessen hair damage (such as, split-ends).
Additionally, make sure your hair is dry and untangled when you show up for your appointment. If your hair is tangled up, it will take your stylist longer to untangle it, which could hurt.
Come to the salon with your hair down if you want to discuss a style or problems you’re having with your hair. It will be much simpler for your stylist to actually see what you’re describing than to imagine it unless they know you very well.
A qualified stylist ought to have sufficient knowledge to respond to a wide range of frequent queries and provide advice based on factors like face shape, skin tone, hair type, scalp condition, and type of haircut.
Prior To Coloring Your Hair, Should You Wash It?
Unless your hair colorist specifically advises washing your hair prior to the coloring appointment, you shouldn’t wash your hair before coloring it.
In order to reduce stress on your hair strands, we advise washing your hair 48 hours before going to the hair salon.
This is due to the fact that hair coloring procedures can be very damaging to your hair, so you should avoid using products that deplete the hair of its natural oils and moisture prior to a hair dyeing session (such as clarifying shampoo), unless you’re going to deep condition your hair beforehand to maintain the right balance of moisture and protein.
Ask your stylist for advice if you feel overwhelmed by all of this or are unsure of where to begin.
Additionally, washing your hair beforehand is typically a waste of time because the colorist will need to do so in order to remove the dyes. Your hair should be completely dry when you arrive at the salon because moisture affects the procedure.
In addition, if you’ve scheduled a trip to the salon for hair styling, such as before a major event like a wedding or prom, you need to hit a semi-clean “sweet spot.”
Because your hair’s natural oils can make styling easier and help keep the style in place throughout a long night of dancing and celebrating, you don’t want to have very freshly washed hair.
However, you don’t want it to be excessively filthy. Washing about 48 hours before styling is ideal for the majority of people, experts agree. But you might have to wait longer if you wash your hair less frequently.
Should I Wash My Hair Before A Hair Color Appointment?
If you have an appointment at the salon for hair coloring rather than a haircut, things are a little different. For this type of appointment, you should have clean, dry hair. “Make sure when showing up for a color application that the hair is dry as well so that the stylist can properly assess your needs and apply the color,” said Rivera.
It’s also helpful to know that you don’t have to wait to wash your hair again after dyeing it to “set” the color, like many people think. If you’re using the proper color-preserving hair products, you can wash it whenever you want and the shade should still be intact.
Should I Wash My Hair Before A Hairstyling Appointment?
For a hairstyling appointment — whether it be for a big event, wedding, prom, or graduation — you’ll want to show up with hair that’s clean, but not too clean. “Often, with updos, washing the hair the day prior is best because it allows the client to come to the salon with completely dry hair that is ready to style,” said Rivera.
If you decide to shower before the appointment, that’s fine; stylists can always use texturizing spray to give the hair some grit. Second-day hair is easier to work with and holds a style better.
Final Words
The experience of getting a haircut should be positive because it is a big deal, especially in a brand-new salon.
Finding a stylist you enjoy working with and having fun getting your hair cut are the most crucial things. We want to make it a little bit less stressful with this advice because it shouldn’t be.
Thank you for reading.
