Boldly colored hair?

[ladymiresa]

I'm participating in an SURF this summer and am wondering if it would be heavily suggested that I not have a non-traditional hair color? I would think it shouldn't matter too much. In the past my hair has been several different bright colors (purples, pinks, etc) and I've never felt my professors treat me differently. However, this summer I'll be working more with physicians and research scientists and they're not as used to seeing college students and may share a different perspective.

I know the safe route is to just keep my hair natural and, if it's likely to be an issue, then that's what I'll do. But if I'm over thinking it and should just have fun and dye my hair while I'm young, then I'd like to do that.

Thanks.

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[gyngyn]

Don't do it.

 

[xffan624]

I'm participating in an SURF this summer and am wondering if it would be heavily suggested that I not have a non-traditional hair color? I would think it shouldn't matter too much. In the past my hair has been several different bright colors (purples, pinks, etc) and I've never felt my professors treat me differently. However, this summer I'll be working more with physicians and research scientists and they're not as used to seeing college students and may share a different perspective.

I know the safe route is to just keep my hair natural and, if it's likely to be an issue, then that's what I'll do. But if I'm over thinking it and should just have fun and dye my hair while I'm young, then I'd like to do that.

Thanks.

This is a professional environment. You only have a summer to make a good impression. Having a crazy hair color would not facilitate this. Also, please ensure you are meeting the dress code for whatever environment you are working in.

 

[swearonmemum]

make a good first impression and then do the whacky color. 'swat I did and no one cared.

 

[JustAPhD]

There's a vast difference in going to class with a unique hair color and working in a research lab (and you see some pretty unique people in research).

 

[tenblackalps]

I've never seen a medical student with a wacky hair color

 

[El-Rami]

I've heard administrative folks in professional research environments brag about firing interns because of body piercings and the like. Do you really think having a bold, unnatural hair color will fare you well? Wacky hair colors drive many physicians up the wall because they are very conservative folks, so if you want to go to medical school, I suggest you get used to sticking to a natural hair color.

 

[Goro]

I have, but only during exam block weeks.

I've never seen a medical student with a wacky hair color

 

[KungFuPanda123]

I have, but only during exam block weeks.

you witty one you

 

[Goro]

It's a coping skill (for the students, not me).

you witty one you

 

[mehc012]

I've never seen a medical student with a wacky hair color

I have. M4, already matched in Plastics, apparently had the hair all through med school.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm participating in an SURF this summer and am wondering if it would be heavily suggested that I not have a non-traditional hair color? I would think it shouldn't matter too much. In the past my hair has been several different bright colors (purples, pinks, etc) and I've never felt my professors treat me differently. However, this summer I'll be working more with physicians and research scientists and they're not as used to seeing college students and may share a different perspective.

I know the safe route is to just keep my hair natural and, if it's likely to be an issue, then that's what I'll do. But if I'm over thinking it and should just have fun and dye my hair while I'm young, then I'd like to do that.

Thanks.

To be blunt, it's time to grow up. If you want to be regarded and treated like a professional, groom yourself like one. If bold hair is somehow more important to you, this conservative path won't be the right career for you.

Also, just because you've "never felt your professors treat you differently" doesn't mean it didn't happen. You will never really know what opportunities and accolades might have fallen into your lap if others only felt you projected yourself differently.

 

[mehc012]

To be blunt, it's time to grow up. If you want to be regarded and treated like a professional, groom yourself like one. If bold hair is somehow more important to you, this conservative path won't be the right career for you.

Also, just because you've "never felt your professors treat you differently" doesn't mean it didn't happen. You will never really know what opportunities and accolades might have fallen into your lap if others only felt you projected yourself differently.

Wow, someone is grumpy. Glad to see that the medical field will be getting less conservative as we go on...

 

[Lucca]

I can't imagine anyone in science other than uppity Harvard types caring about what you look like. One of the PIs at UCSF literally has dirty dreds (she is white too), one of the well respected profs here (formerly at Duke Med) has pink and blue hair, etc. I've never met a male field biologist who didn't wear anything but cargo shorts everyday.

Physicians will care. It's dumb, but keep it North East Prep School until you have enough credibility behind your name (cough tenure cough) to do whatever you want. Eventually, it will also affect how your patients view you and until there is a radical change in the style opinions of the 50 and up crowd, we have to play by the rules for the sake of maintaining their trust in our authority and professionalism.

 

[mehc012]

I can't imagine anyone in science other than uppity Harvard types caring about what you look like. One of the PIs at UCSF literally has dirty dreds (she is white too), one of the well respected profs here (formerly at Duke Med) has pink and blue hair, etc. I've never met a male field biologist who didn't wear anything but cargo shorts everyday.

Physicians will care. It's dumb, but keep it North East Prep School until you have enough credibility behind your name (cough tenure cough) to do whatever you want. Eventually, it will also affect how your patients view you and until there is a radical change in the style opinions of the 50 and up crowd, we have to play by the rules for the sake of maintaining their trust in our authority and professionalism.

Don't forget the people who embrace the conservatism themselves as they join the field...sadly I think we have to wait far beyond the 50+ crowd.

 

[JustAPhD]

Wow, someone is grumpy. Glad to see that the medical field will be getting less conservative as we go on...

Eh, I can see where he is coming from. Hot pink dyed hair (as an example) is generally not a good look for any professional, and will most certainly be viewed as immature by many of your superiors. Perhaps in the future when the millennials are the bosses of the world it may be more relaxed --- in fact I suspect it will be --- but for now the OP would be drawing attention to herself in all the wrong ways.

 

[gyngyn]

Don't forget the people who embrace the conservatism themselves as they join the field...sadly I think we have to wait far beyond the 50+ crowd.

I grew up in California in the late sixties/early seventies. If you watch a movie from this time period you see will some outlandish grooming and style. Those same people with Afros a yard wide and Marimekko print miniskirts as short as belts began to look entirely "normal" by the time they applied to residency and still groom conservatively today.

 

[ladymiresa]

Alright thanks guys. I figured this would be the answer but just wanted to make sure I wasn't over thinking it. Thought maybe I could rely on my credentials, involvement, and experience to speak for me but I guess purple hair is just too loud.

 

[mehc012]

I grew up in California in the late sixties/early seventies. If you watch a movie from this time period you see will some outlandish grooming and style. Those same people with Afros a yard wide and Marimekko print miniskirts as short as belts began to look entirely "normal" by the time they applied to residency and still groom conservatively today.

Yup. It matters more while you're still in school...but by the time you're 'safe' from repercussions (relatively speaking...your appearance will always impact your work relationships and patient interactions) you tend to be past the crazy-hair stage anyway. Ah, well.

 

[Law2Doc]

Wow, someone is grumpy. Glad to see that the medical field will be getting less conservative as we go on...

Sorry, did you guys not want an honest answer? Ok then, everything will be puppies and rainbows and people will judge you for only non-superficial things. 🙂

 

[mimelim]

Sorry, did you guys not want an honest answer? Ok then, everything will be puppies and rainbows and people will judge you for only non-superficial things. 🙂

http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-generation-y-yuppies-are-unhappy.html

Much better to stick to reality, otherwise you go from puppies and rainbows to grass fields and flowers with unicorns vomiting rainbows and a very sad generation Y.

 

[mimelim]

I can't imagine anyone in science other than uppity Harvard types caring about what you look like. One of the PIs at UCSF literally has dirty dreds (she is white too), one of the well respected profs here (formerly at Duke Med) has pink and blue hair, etc. I've never met a male field biologist who didn't wear anything but cargo shorts everyday.

Physicians will care. It's dumb, but keep it North East Prep School until you have enough credibility behind your name (cough tenure cough) to do whatever you want. Eventually, it will also affect how your patients view you and until there is a radical change in the style opinions of the 50 and up crowd, we have to play by the rules for the sake of maintaining their trust in our authority and professionalism.

Don't forget the people who embrace the conservatism themselves as they join the field...sadly I think we have to wait far beyond the 50+ crowd.

Yup. It matters more while you're still in school...but by the time you're 'safe' from repercussions (relatively speaking...your appearance will always impact your work relationships and patient interactions) you tend to be past the crazy-hair stage anyway. Ah, well.

I run pretty libertarian, so at baseline, I think that people can and should do whatever the **** they want. I am all for people rocking their inner true self, even if it is rather far out on the 'freaky' spectrum. But, that is a personal choice and people judge you for your personal choices. While I consider this to be unfortunate and wrong, I don't think that it is disputable that this is a very real thing. A few things to recognize. #1 Lab science is not the same as medicine. While image is important in the lab, it is far less important than if you are working with patients every day. Trying to compare the attire of field biologists to physicians is a pretty hard. Harvard is very liberal in this regard compared to most of the country.

I think that fundamentally what this falls down to is a "me me me" mentality vs. a "service of others" mentality. Having out there style choices calls attention to you, when fundamentally our interactions with our patients is entirely about caring for them. When I see a patient in clinic, I am serving them. Am I being paid, yes. Am I getting something (education, training, experience etc) out of it, of course. But fundamentally, our day to day interaction is about caring for them. Putting them at ease is part of the job. I don't judge them for not agreeing with my libertarian viewpoints. Again, it isn't about me. It is about them.

 

[mehc012]

I run pretty libertarian, so at baseline, I think that people can and should do whatever the **** they want. I am all for people rocking their inner true self, even if it is rather far out on the 'freaky' spectrum. But, that is a personal choice and people judge you for your personal choices. While I consider this to be unfortunate and wrong, I don't think that it is disputable that this is a very real thing. A few things to recognize. #1 Lab science is not the same as medicine. While image is important in the lab, it is far less important than if you are working with patients every day. Trying to compare the attire of field biologists to physicians is a pretty hard. Harvard is very liberal in this regard compared to most of the country.

I think that fundamentally what this falls down to is a "me me me" mentality vs. a "service of others" mentality. Having out there style choices calls attention to you, when fundamentally our interactions with our patients is entirely about caring for them. When I see a patient in clinic, I am serving them. Am I being paid, yes. Am I getting something (education, training, experience etc) out of it, of course. But fundamentally, our day to day interaction is about caring for them. Putting them at ease is part of the job. I don't judge them for not agreeing with my libertarian viewpoints. Again, it isn't about me. It is about them.

We've had this debate before (pretty much all of us in this thread, I think) and so I'll just refresh that for me, I think the crucial point is proper grooming - aka taking enough time and care with your appearance that it is clear you are clean and respectful of the people around you and the environment you are in. I think it is possible to have an appearance which emphasizes this respect without compromising what you are able to look like outside of work. And honestly, if you take care with how you do it, I believe that these days you can have an appearance which expresses yourself without bothering 95% of people. Unfortunately, while you're in the midst of building your career, the risk you run if someone in that 5% is in a position to permanently alter your career path is too high for most. Asi es la vida.

 

[mimelim]

We've had this debate before (pretty much all of us in this thread, I think) and so I'll just refresh that for me, I think the crucial point is proper grooming - aka taking enough time and care with your appearance that it is clear you are clean and respectful of the people around you and the environment you are in. I think it is possible to have an appearance which emphasizes this respect without compromising what you are able to look like outside of work. And honestly, if you take care with how you do it, I believe that these days you can have an appearance which expresses yourself without bothering 95% of people. Unfortunately, while you're in the midst of building your career, the risk you run if someone in that 5% is in a position to permanently alter your career path is too high for most. Asi es la vida.

I don't think that any amount of grooming can hide your pink or blue hair enough to not bother more than 5%+ of people. This isn't about that one attending that will slam you for it. This is about the hundreds of patients, colleagues and staff that you interact with on a daily basis. It obviously depends heavily on where in the country you are, but I doubt that anywhere is less than 15-20% and in many places it is 70%+. I think that those numbers make a huge difference when making these decisions.

 

[mehc012]

I don't think that any amount of grooming can hide your pink or blue hair enough to not bother more than 5%+ of people. This isn't about that one attending that will slam you for it. This is about the hundreds of patients, colleagues and staff that you interact with on a daily basis. It obviously depends heavily on where in the country you are, but I doubt that anywhere is less than 15-20% and in many places it is 70%+. I think that those numbers make a huge difference when making these decisions.

I'm not talking about hiding it. I'm saying that the whole picture matters. Compromising could mean doing some undercut dye instead of a whole head, or picking less extreme colors, and always maintaining a more professional/clean-cut appearance other than the unchangeable part itself in order to compensate for it. And I'm also not talking about the initial impression these folks will have on it...I'm estimating the number that won't be able to adjust that initial knee-jerk impression (and remember that there also always exists a patient demographic which likes that sort of style). And while 5% may be an underestimation, 70%+ not being able to get over any preconceptions they have with a clean, professionally-dressed, well-groomed person with some color in their hair is more ludicrously extreme than I have encountered in any of the parts of the country I have lived in. But hey, I figure at least 5% of people will just irrationally hate my face, or the way I talk, or everything about the world that day anyway.

 

[Dr.Smexy]

What could boldly colored hair possibly does for you that you want to keep it? Express that you're a rebel and don't like the norms? Sorry to break the bad news but if this is true, medicine ain't for you. That you a happy and carefree person? Just act and be happy...the message will be clear. Or that you want to always standout? There are clothes for that and your behaviors speak just as loudly. Maybe that you are just a cool cat and people should stop to pay notice? This is not high school anymore. You are cool when you get things done and make people you work with happy. In conclusion, evaluate what is TRULY important and understand that people see you as the image you project.

 

[Lucca]

I run pretty libertarian, so at baseline, I think that people can and should do whatever the **** they want. I am all for people rocking their inner true self, even if it is rather far out on the 'freaky' spectrum. But, that is a personal choice and people judge you for your personal choices. While I consider this to be unfortunate and wrong, I don't think that it is disputable that this is a very real thing. A few things to recognize. #1 Lab science is not the same as medicine. While image is important in the lab, it is far less important than if you are working with patients every day. Trying to compare the attire of field biologists to physicians is a pretty hard. Harvard is very liberal in this regard compared to most of the country.

I think that fundamentally what this falls down to is a "me me me" mentality vs. a "service of others" mentality. Having out there style choices calls attention to you, when fundamentally our interactions with our patients is entirely about caring for them. When I see a patient in clinic, I am serving them. Am I being paid, yes. Am I getting something (education, training, experience etc) out of it, of course. But fundamentally, our day to day interaction is about caring for them. Putting them at ease is part of the job. I don't judge them for not agreeing with my libertarian viewpoints. Again, it isn't about me. It is about them.

I believe and agree with this, I just think eventually people will care less about things like tattoos and piercings and hair color. ER staff already seem to be embracing tattoos and such from what I've seen but this city is an outlier compared to Houston.

 

[mehc012]

What could boldly colored hair possibly does for you that you want to keep it? Express that you're a rebel and don't like the norms? Sorry to break the bad news but if this is true, medicine ain't for you. That you a happy and carefree person? Just act and be happy...the message will be clear. Or that you want to always standout? There are clothes for that and your behaviors speak just as loudly. Maybe that you are just a cool cat and people should stop to pay notice? This is not high school anymore. You are cool when you get things done and make people you work with happy. In conclusion, evaluate what is TRULY important and understand that people see you as the image you project.

OP never even remotely implied that they didn't understand what was important...just that, if colored hair were NOT a problem, they'd prefer to have it. You clearly don't understand why, which is perfectly fine. If you don't get it, you don't get it. That's OK...you don't have to. No need to be rude about it, though.

I believe and agree with this, I just think eventually people will care less about things like tattoos and piercings and hair color. ER staff already seem to be embracing tattoos and such from what I've seen but this city is an outlier compared to Houston.

Yeah, I've been in a few areas now and ERs seem to be pretty open to these things in general at this point. Perhaps that will spread.

 

[mimelim]

I'm not talking about hiding it. I'm saying that the whole picture matters. Compromising could mean doing some undercut dye instead of a whole head, or picking less extreme colors, and always maintaining a more professional/clean-cut appearance other than the unchangeable part itself in order to compensate for it. And I'm also not talking about the initial impression these folks will have on it...I'm estimating the number that won't be able to adjust that initial knee-jerk impression (and remember that there also always exists a patient demographic which likes that sort of style). And while 5% may be an underestimation, 70%+ not being able to get over any preconceptions they have with a clean, professionally-dressed, well-groomed person with some color in their hair is more ludicrously extreme than I have encountered in any of the parts of the country I have lived in. But hey, I figure at least 5% of people will just irrationally hate my face, or the way I talk, or everything about the world that day anyway.

If I had to guess, in the large metropolitan area that I work in, the number is 20%+ would have some sort of negative reaction to it. That is just based on commentary from faculty as well as patients. At our community hospital, it will easily be north of 40%. Part of it is about baseline preconceptions. The other part is about expectations for different positions. While few may have knee jerk reactions to their fast-food server having pink hair, the number who are distracted or less comfortable with their physician is always going to be considerably higher.

I mean heck, just being a woman will make some people feel less comfortable. Right? Absolutely not. But, a very real issue, even in more progressive areas.

 

[mehc012]

If I had to guess, in the large metropolitan area that I work in, the number is 20%+ would have some sort of negative reaction to it. That is just based on commentary from faculty as well as patients. At our community hospital, it will easily be north of 40%. Part of it is about baseline preconceptions. The other part is about expectations for different positions. While few may have knee jerk reactions to their fast-food server having pink hair, the number who are distracted or less comfortable with their physician is always going to be considerably higher.

I mean heck, just being a woman will make some people feel less comfortable. Right? Absolutely not. But, a very real issue, even in more progressive areas.

True. But we're also reinforcing this reaction by keeping it a rare and uncomfortable thing. If no doctors ever appear even slightly outside the 'norm' for the profession, anyone who does is always going to look "not like a doctor" (which is what is so uncomfortable in the first place). At some point, in order to make changes, you have to accept that those who dislike change (not an insignificant population) are going to dislike the transition. Now, hair dye arguably isn't worth the discomfort of that transition, either for the the patients or the physicians (especially compared to, say, having woman physicians as you mentioned), but I wouldn't be surprised if people eventually get used to the idea. It's just not that far outside of mainstream anymore to have some streaks or undercuts.

 

[getdown]

It's rather simple really. In a professional environment dress and act professional if you want to be taken seriously. When working under someone their opinion matters in the trajectory of your career. Often millenials think they can do whatever they want, whenever they want but that's never true in the work place. Probably what gives millenials such bad reputations at workplaces these days.

 

[Law2Doc]

I believe and agree with this, I just think eventually people will care less about things like tattoos and piercings and hair color. ER staff already seem to be embracing tattoos and such from what I've seen but this city is an outlier compared to Houston.

Right now it's just an outlier thing and thus not a good career move. Maybe it will become more prevalent, or maybe there will be backlash -- the 1980s "me" generation erased many of the liberal changes of their hippie parents-- you didn't see long hair and bell bottoms for long. It's very possible the tattoo /piercing craze won't even catch on in conservative fields before the next generation reverses that trend and reverts back to crew cuts and buddy holly glasses.

 

[mehc012]

It's rather simple really. In a professional environment dress and act professional if you want to be taken seriously. When working under someone their opinion matters in the trajectory of your career. Often millenials think they can do whatever they want, whenever they want but that's never true in the work place. Probably what gives millenials such bad reputations at workplaces these days.

You're overreacting and generalizing with little reason right now. Chill plz.

 

[El-Rami]

Don't forget the people who embrace the conservatism themselves as they join the field...sadly I think we have to wait far beyond the 50+ crowd.

What's wrong with the conservatism?

 

[JustaDO]

I see things like this, and I think the old tutelage applies - > if you have to ask, then you already know the answer.

 

[mehc012]

What's wrong with the conservatism?

It's restrictive. Hair is the least issue I see with it, honestly.

 

[El-Rami]

It's restrictive. Hair is the least issue I see with it, honestly.

What's better? Conservatism or the other extreme? After all, would you as a patient rather see the well-groomed physician in khakis, shirt, tie, and dress shoes or Dr. Lexus?

 

[mehc012]

What's better? Conservatism or the other extreme? After all, would you as a patient rather see the well-groomed physician in khakis, shirt, tie, and dress shoes or Dr. Lexus?

I've never once said that physicians should not be well groomed and well dressed.

 

[atomi]

It's restrictive. Hair is the least issue I see with it, honestly.

You seem to have confused conservatism with modern PC-era liberalism where you are crowd-shamed for not openly accepting progressive ideals. A core tenant of conservatism is individual liberty. Whereas liberalism has devolved to punishing those who don't conform to the groupthink.

 

[atomi]

We've had this debate before (pretty much all of us in this thread, I think) and so I'll just refresh that for me, I think the crucial point is proper grooming - aka taking enough time and care with your appearance that it is clear you are clean and respectful of the people around you and the environment you are in.

Grooming is done to make yourself more attractive and visually pleasing to others in order to improve your social interactions.

When you dye your hair neon colors as part of your "grooming" you are making your appearance worse for the purposes of shock value. You can't make up for it by making sure that your nose hairs are impeccably trimmed. No more than you can intentionally spray your self with manuere-scented cologne and make up for the fact that you have an unpleasing odor coming from your neck by making sure that your feet have a lovely scent of fresh flowers.

 

[mehc012]

Grooming is done to make yourself more attractive and visually pleasing to others in order to improve your social interactions.

When you dye your hair neon colors as part of your "grooming" you are making your appearance worse for the purposes of shock value. You can't make up for it by making sure that your nose hairs are impeccably trimmed. No more than you can intentionally spray your self with manuere-scented cologne and make up for the fact that you have an unpleasing odor coming from your neck by making sure that your feet have a lovely scent of fresh flowers.

I disagree with your definition of grooming. To me, being well-groomed is about showing respect for the people and environment you will be in by being clean, dressed as is typical for the occasion, and having put enough effort into your appearance for that day that it is obvious you value the interactions you will have. It does/should not dictate permanent characteristics.
Basically, grooming is, to me, how you arrange your temporary, daily appearance. Hair dye and tattoos are more permanent choices; to disallow them would be to dictate what people can do 'off-the-clock', which bothers me. Yes, I understand that not everyone agrees with me. I'm not asking them to, just expressing my PoV.

As a side note, you are the one imposing the interpretation of hair dye as "making your appearance worse for the purposes of shock value." Honestly, I dgaf what you think of my hair color...if I dye my hair, it's because I think it looks awesome, not because it will shock you, and certainly not because 'it looks worse.' To me, the appeal of unnaturally colored hair is simply that I think it looks phenomenal. When I see it on others, it makes me happy and excited, and I love the idea of looking like that myself. So before you go judging people for the 'message' they're supposedly trying to send with their hair color or whatnot, take a second to think that perhaps that message comes from you, not them.

You seem to have confused conservatism with modern PC-era liberalism where you are crowd-shamed for not openly accepting progressive ideals. A core tenant of conservatism is individual liberty. Whereas liberalism has devolved to punishing those who don't conform to the groupthink.

Right now, I'm literally only discussing conservative as it has been referenced in this thread - the group of people who would prefer to restrict physicians/students to a similar appearance. We can define it differently if you like, and then I will alter the phrasing of my response accordingly. In the end, though, it really makes no difference. I am SO not trying to get into the tired 'liberal vs conservative', 'us vs them', polarized, meaningless, ****e-slinging contest that is modern politics. I'm not discussing politics, I'm discussing hair dye.

 

[7331poas]

So you can have a pink Mohawk as long as you wear a nice suit to work?

I don't follow the logic.

 

[mehc012]

So you can have a pink Mohawk as long as you wear a nice suit to work?

I don't follow the logic.

Ideally, yes. Though again, mohawk is how you style your hair on a given day (depending on the setup), so you should be able to find a way to make it more mainstream for the workday. My PERSONAL beliefs would support the statement above, though, and I don't see anything illogical about that. I care that you show respect for your work...but I dislike the concept of dictating people's off the clock appearance.

Realistically, no. The world is not ideal. People are going to judge you by stupid **** like the fact that you have dye in your hair.
I will say, though, that you're exaggerating what I've said - I said that most people should be able to find a compromise where they can express themselves without being unprofessional, and that things outside of the norm generally require that you are more fastidious on other aspects of your appearance than others have to be.


Personally, between the physician with pink streaks in their hair, who is impeccably dressed, clean, and has their hair tied in such a way as to minimize the appearance of the dye, and a physician with no hair dye, but who is unshaven, in stained/wrinkled clothing, I'd prefer the one who looks as if they've taken the time/effort to dress well for their time in the hospital. Yet I've seen dozens and dozens of the latter and no SDN threads lecturing people about the effects that will have on their patient relationships.

I'm not saying that hair dye is acceptable, or that it's worth fighting for and changing the status quo right now. I've actually said the opposite of both in this very thread. I'm simply saying that it's rather silly that it's such an issue, because it's SO irrelevant, and that I don't find it disrespectful to make (semi)permanent changes to your body based on your personal preferences, as long as you maintain the work-specific, daily expectations. It's rather like how I support hospitals banning smoking and drinking on their premises/during work hours, but I am staunchly against hospitals which ban smoking or drinking PERIOD for all of their employees, even off the clock (yes, that exists).

 

[El-Rami]

I cannot think of any situation where a suit and pink mohawk would look aesthetically pleasing (even with a "normal" hairstyle instead of a mohawk). Conservative dress works because of its understated elegance. I also don't feel it is nearly restrictive as you say, even for guys who have fewer clothing options.

Also, appearance will always be important to human beings. It'll always affect their perception of others, and that'll never change. It's a fact that certain professions will dress differently than others, and people will form their own schemas of what people should or shouldn't wear in certain situations.

 

[atomi]

As a side note, you are the one imposing the interpretation of hair dye as "making your appearance worse for the purposes of shock value." Honestly, I dgaf what you think of my hair color...if I dye my hair, it's because I think it looks awesome, not because it will shock you, and certainly not because 'it looks worse.' To me, the appeal of unnaturally colored hair is simply that I think it looks phenomenal.

You're confused. Nobody looks better with non-naturally occurring hair pigments. Nobody. It's unnatural and our brains are programmed to pick it out as such as quickly as if one had a rhinoceros horn for a nose. People do it to get the attention of others. plain and simple. Whether that's a conscious realization or subconscious is a different matter. But by all means, dye your hair in rainbow streaks and blame those evil conservatives trying to suppress your individuality when things don't work out all that well.

In the end, it's about our patients. The reason we dress nicely and look serious is the same reason pilots where those goofy uniforms with wings and stripes and hats. Most passengers would be uneasy if the pilot stumbled on the plane in flip flops, grease stained jeans, a marlboro t-shirt, a 6 day beard and unkempt hair.

 

[ifnotnowwren]

I think mimelim summed it up perfectly, this is a career that is centered upon the service of others, there are going to be plenty of things we will do to make those we are serving more comfortable that will come at a "cost" to our self-expression or convenience. I'm currently working as a scribe for an internal medicine physician and when I first got the job, she was working private practice. I was told I could wear what I want, but my day to day style is along the lines of Free People, so I went and bought a handful of professional, stylish (but not flashy or sleazy) clothing, so that her patients wouldn't think "who is this hippie writing down everything I say". I'm content to keep my bohemian clothing to evenings and weekends, I don't feel the need to express my "personal sense of style" at work.

Part of the thing is that we are going into a field where you will be in a small room, staring intently at another person for awhile, and that facilitates observations about each other, which naturally lead to opinions. The internal medicine doc I work for gets comments on heels when she wears heels, "no heels today?" when she wears tennis shoes, "oh you wear scrubs sometimes?", comments on her wedding ring, and my all time favorite "You looked more blonde when I saw your picture online, I picked you because I wanted a blonde doctor". My mom was telling me about the ENT she saw and the first thing she said about him was "He was wearing crocs!". It's natural.

 

[7331poas]

Personally, between the physician with pink streaks in their hair, who is impeccably dressed, clean, and has their hair tied in such a way as to minimize the appearance of the dye, and a physician with no hair dye, but who is unshaven, in stained/wrinkled clothing, I'd prefer the one who looks as if they've taken the time/effort to dress well for their time in the hospital.

How about the decision between the doctor who chose to have a work appropriate haircut, AND is well dressed. Its not an either or.

In all honesty, if I am about to start a very risky procedure, I expect my doctor to be extremely serious about the situation. Serious about the risks and the idea that my life is at stake here.

If my doctor then showed up with pink hair and a seemingly happy go lucky appearance, that would concern me quite frankly.

 

[utmn]

I had DREADLOCKS during my first research position. Turns out, the MD I worked with loved them. I did all my shadowing with them, all of my undergrad volunteering, and turns out I still got into med school. I'll be one of the voices of dissent here saying that self expression in the form of hair color or style is not a ship sinker until likely your med school interviews. You do you. Especially if you've already gotten the position.


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[Womb Raider]

100% don't dye your hair.

Also, if I were you, I'd put more stock into what the physicians and ad com members of this thread are saying than the random pre-meds.

 

[7331poas]

I had DREADLOCKS during my first research position. Turns out, the MD I worked with loved them. I did all my shadowing with them, all of my undergrad volunteering, and turns out I still got into med school. I'll be one of the voices of dissent here saying that self expression in the form of hair color or style is not a ship sinker until likely your med school interviews. You do you. Especially if you've already gotten the position.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

Did you interview with the dreads? We have all said that research is laid back if you noticed.