Hair/job compatability?

**enfys** · December 9th, 2009, 03:13 PM

Does anyone else have a job that disagrees with long hair? I don't mean by dress codes, I mean the actual job requirements.

I've started working in a model making workshop and because of solvents being sprayed and clouds of dust from sanding we have to take various masks on and off through the day and switch to whatever is most comfortable. The more heavy duty masks have wide rubber strips that fix snuggly around the back to your head.

I already had to wrap the straps with masking tape because the seams were snagging and it was all I had to hand. It's a pain to get the back secured around a hairstick, but a stick bun is easier to re-do in a hurry. Braids tucked into clothes are too itchy. Goggles tangle into my hair near my ears.

It never crossed my mind this job would be damaging to my hair; friction from rubber wasn't part of my career plan!

Since I look pretty dishevelled in work I know it's affecting my hair at least by pulling strands loose.

Does anyone else find this with their work? What career path are you on and how do you make it hair friendly? Again, I don't mean dress codes as such, more health and safety wear codes.

**teela1978** · December 9th, 2009, 03:37 PM

Have you tried covering your hair with a scarf or a bandana or something similar to keep the masks/goggles from pulling? The only times I've had to use such apparatuses I had a hair covering as well which definitely helped with hair-grabbiness of those rubber things.

My current job is pretty long hair friendly. I put it up and forget about it. If its down it can be an issue, but there's usually a stick of some sort around.

**motormuffin** · December 9th, 2009, 03:42 PM

You could try this...Bouffant Hat...look at the picture up on the page.
I have a messy shop...I don't go down there anymore but this is what I could see you using. You could pin it at the front and put your hair in it...then put a band like a pony in the back so its not floppy.

**teela1978** · December 9th, 2009, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by motormuffin

You could try this...Bouffant Hat...look at the picture up on the page.

That's what we wore... it was a level 3 biohazard facility though, you might be able to get by with something more reusable. Worked pretty well under goggle straps.

**enfys** · December 9th, 2009, 03:59 PM

I so intensely do not want that to be my only option! I think it may be though...Now I know why no-on else there has hair past their collar.

I always forget but what is the site that shows ways to tie a scarf creatively? All I can remember is that they have a load of thumbnails.

**mira-chan** · December 9th, 2009, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by enfys

I so intensely do not want that to be my only option! I think it may be though...Now I know why no-on else there has hair past their collar.

I always forget but what is the site that shows ways to tie a scarf creatively? All I can remember is that they have a load of thumbnails.

It's the Tznius site that has the various scarf styles.

I have the same type of hair environment as teela, up and forget it, but down is a hazard.

**motormuffin** · December 9th, 2009, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by enfys

I so intensely do not want that to be my only option! I think it may be though...Now I know why no-on else there has hair past their collar.

I always forget but what is the site that shows ways to tie a scarf creatively? All I can remember is that they have a load of thumbnails.

I suppose you could make your own like it. The elastic seems to help more than just tying a bandana on. My husband just shaves his head so nothing sticks to his hair. The other guys will wear the whole suit with the hood. Any guys with hair had it in a pony under the hood. I think you can get some grey colored ones through grainger but they usually cost more.

**enfys** · December 9th, 2009, 04:13 PM

That's the one! Thanks Mira. It's bookmarked this time.

Loose is really too hazardous. I wouldn't even wear a braid unless it was inside my clothes, tucked under my bra strap. There are extractor fans and machines everywhere so I would get scalped. Scary.

**JamieLeigh** · December 9th, 2009, 04:28 PM

I'm a mom of five, and my long hair is VERY incompatible with my job, lol. If I ever try to wear it down, by lunchtime it's up just because I'm tired of pushing it out of the way. Or getting it pulled.

**Pierre** · December 9th, 2009, 04:57 PM

How about a bun on top of your head? Or securing it with a Flexi or a hair scroo?

My job doesn't care about long hair. I sit at a desk and draw on the computer.