Should you wash your hair before getting a haircut?

Categorized as Hair Care

Last Updated on March 27, 2022 by Rei

You should wash your hair a day before going to the salon if the salon you’re going to doesn’t include hair washing. Washing your hair before a haircut would make it easier for your hairstylist to cut your hair because oily hairs are harder to cut.

Its also a common etiquette to not go to hair salons with smelly hair, so if you’re prone to that, definitely wash your hair before going.

Another reason why you want to wash your hair before getting a haircut is to remove any knot making it easier for your hairstylist to cut your hair in proper length.

Now that I’ve given you the gist of the article, read on as I explain in more details why you should wash your hair before a haircut:

Table of contents

Is it rude to get a haircut with dirty hair?

While most professional hairstylists wouldn’t comment on how dirty your hair is if they noticed that your hair is dirty. Most stylists would still wash your hair before cutting your hair because dirty/oily hair is harder to cut.

Also, hairstylists deal with all kinds of hair every day, what’s dirty for you might be normal for them. All in all, just wash your hair if you think it’s dirty and if you forget, don’t stress too much about it.

Do hairstylists prefer you wash your hair before getting a haircut?

A hairstylist cutting a newly washed blond hair.

Some do while others would still requires you to wash your hair before cutting it. It depends on how clean your hair is or what you’re hairstylist think would yield the best result.

Hairstylists are thought at school to always wash their client’s hair because clean and newly washed hair is easier to cut and it gives better results than the opposite.

Is it okay to wash your hair before a haircut?

A girl washing her hair before getting a haircut.

Yes, it’s okay to wash your hair before getting a haircut, this would ensure that your hair is not too oily. This would also make it easier for your hairstylist to cut your hair and avoid slipping of scissors.

It’s actually harder to cut oily hairs, so make sure that your hair is not too oily when getting a haircut.

Most people would actually wash their hair before getting a haircut as an etiquette to not go to salons with dirty/smelly hair.

Why should you wash your hair before a haircut?

A hairstylist washing a girls hair before getting a haircut

Here are some of the reasons why you should wash your hair before a haircut:

  • It makes it easier for your hairstylist to cut your hair. Oily hairs are harder to cut and could cause scissors slippage.
  • So that you’re hair is not too smelly before getting a haircut. While most hairstylists wouldn’t comment when they notice this, you should still consider this if you’re prone to it.
  • So that you can get rid of any knots making it easier for your hairstylist to cut it to the proper length.

Does every salon wash their clients hair before cutting?

No, some salons would cut on dirty hair to save time and money. Always go to salons that wash your hair before cutting. Some states even require salons to wash their client’s hair before cutting for hygienic purposes.

What would happen if you forget to wash before getting a haircut?

A hairstylist cutting a newly washed hair.

It would depend on the salon, most salons would offer to wash your hair if your hair is too oily to cut properly. While others would cut it without washing it.

Don’t stress about it! Hairstylist deal with all kinds of hair types and they know if you’re hair requires washing.

Conclusion

If the salon you’re going to doesn’t offer hair washing before a haircut, you should definitely wash your hair a day before going to the salon.

This would ensure that your hair is clean enough for your hairstylist to properly cut.

By Rei Garnet

I've been a hairstylist and worked for salons for over 8 years and I want to share my passion and knowledge with a wider audience. My goal is to give everyone the best hair they could possibly have.