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Adult haircutting experiences

Mantra
over 3 years ago

Just been for my first hair cut in more than 2 years.

Since the lockdowns I've enjoyed the quiet, the routines, the lack of pressure to be out in busy places socialising.

Went back to somewhere I have been before and I was totally unused to it. Pains, sensory overwhelm, couldn't understand convos, went into my shell and could have agreed to anything (but thankfully a day later I can see I didn't have my head completely shaved or anything too drastic, haha, phew.) When I eventually got home I was ready to meltdown. Fearful of the sudden change to my hair.

Last time I was there I had no idea I was autistic. I don't remember SO much overwhelm, but I do remember it being a 'bigger' experience but couldn't pinpoint how. Yet I also remember some times of complete quiet - which tended to be when there was lots of white noise from hair dryers, etc. I could zone out, kind of an out-of-body experience, but also ran the risk of getting disorientated and forgetting what I'm supposed to do, leading to panic.

I totally understand that hairdressers and barbers could be hugely overwhelming places now, and I'm seriously considering cutting my own hair, but I don't think I'd do well with that at all so for now I'll continue putting myself through this as infrequently as I can...

What are your experiences with hair cuts - especially before and after the lockdowns?

Also, have any of you ever confided in a hairdresser / barber about being autistic? Did it help?

Parents
  • over 3 years ago

    I like hair cuts - my wife has a visiting hair dresser who cuts my hair too - she knows I'm aspie - but only from chatting about stuff - she has a young autistic nephew so I'm a source of real-world autistic data

    I'm like a cat - I could sit all day having my hair combed, pulled, trimmed - I normally pull my own hair when I need to stim.

    I hate shaving in every possible way.

  • over 3 years ago in reply to Plastic

    This sounds blissful!

    I love massages and touch, but not at the same time as sensory overload and has to be from someone I know I trust. I have lots of links with people taking advantage of me physically and me not realising (me not catching social cues, I think), so trust has to come first. My PTSD episodes were about when I was hit as a child as well :(

    It sucks that a sensory experience that can give so much pleasure can be associated with trauma. Glad not to have lost the pleasurable side completely though.

Reply
  • over 3 years ago in reply to Plastic

    This sounds blissful!

    I love massages and touch, but not at the same time as sensory overload and has to be from someone I know I trust. I have lots of links with people taking advantage of me physically and me not realising (me not catching social cues, I think), so trust has to come first. My PTSD episodes were about when I was hit as a child as well :(

    It sucks that a sensory experience that can give so much pleasure can be associated with trauma. Glad not to have lost the pleasurable side completely though.

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