Long Hair in Clinical Rotations

[Small Cell Carcinoma]

I am currently a second year male medical student with mid-back lenght hair. As I prepare to begin rotations this summer, I am starting to wonder how this may affect me with impressions. Is it acceptable to wear it loose like I usually do, or is more appropriate to tie it up...........or is it better to just cut it all together. I kind of enjoy keeping my hair long and since it has been roughly 10 years since a discussion like this has taken place on this forum, I am curious to see if attitudes have changed towards this issue.

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[Rekt]

I am currently a second year male medical student with mid-back lenght hair. As I prepare to begin rotations this summer, I am starting to wonder how this may affect me with impressions. Is it acceptable to wear it loose like I usually do, or is more appropriate to tie it up...........or is it better to just cut it all together. I kind of enjoy keeping my hair long and since it has been roughly 10 years since a discussion like this has taken place on this forum, I am curious to see if attitudes have changed towards this issue.

It's 2018, so you can just sue

 

[el_duderino]

It's not "inappropriate," but some people - patients, colleagues, and preceptors - will absolutely judge you on it. This will possibly (or even likely) affect your grades and treatment.

Not that my personal opinion should matter to you, but I think hair that long on a male is almost always an absolute fashion disaster.

 

[DBV]

Though this is chamging, Medicine is full of old white guys. Cut your hair if you care more about grades and opinions. If you care more about expressing yourself via your appearance, keep it.

 

[el_duderino]

Though this is chamging, Medicine is full of old white guys. Cut your hair if you care more about grades and opinions. If you care more about expressing yourself via your appearance, keep it.

Yup, and many patients will be older people with traditional social views. I just reread my 4th year dean's letter yesterday, and the comments sections are littered with attendings and residents talking about what patients said about me.

 

[mimelim]

Totally risk adverse? Cut it and conform. The chances of this harming you in the working world that is hierarchy driven is relatively high. 95% of the time it is going to be a snide remark, scoff from staff member etc. But, those small things can add up, or it becomes a lightning rod for other complaints.

Or you can roll the dice. Nobody can quantify the actual risk for you and nobody here can tell you how important your hair/fashion choices are to you. Just know that while the risk of something big/bad happening is pretty damn small, the likelihood of some sort of headache coming from this is somewhat high.

 

[theonlytycrane]

3rd year med student in 2018

 

[Small Cell Carcinoma]

Totally risk adverse? Cut it and conform. The chances of this harming you in the working world that is hierarchy driven is relatively high. 95% of the time it is going to be a snide remark, scoff from staff member etc. But, those small things can add up, or it becomes a lightning rod for other complaints.

Or you can roll the dice. Nobody can quantify the actual risk for you and nobody here can tell you how important your hair/fashion choices are to you. Just know that while the risk of something big/bad happening is pretty damn small, the likelihood of some sort of headache coming from this is somewhat high.

Yeah I see what you mean. I totally get that some people in medicine have very conservative/traditional views (I include myself in that category). However, considering how long it has taken me to grow it out this long (including a very awkward “medium” length stage), I would hate to cut it all off just to find out later that this may not have been necessary.

 

[el_duderino]

Yeah I see what you mean. I totally get that some people in medicine have very conservative/traditional views (I include myself in that category). However, considering how long it has taken me to grow it out this long (including a very awkward “medium” length stage), I would hate to cut it all off just to find out later that this may not have been necessary.

The other option is to not cut it and find out later that you really, really should have.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Can you tie it back in a way that looks very professional?

 

[Small Cell Carcinoma]

Can you tie it back in a way that looks very professional?

I definitely could. I am just not sure if others would perceive it that way.

 

[wholeheartedly]

I definitely could. I am just not sure if others would perceive it that way.

One good way might be to find some people to ask, ie attendings.

I've seen a small number of guys able to pull off this look, but not a lot. It's hard to tell without a visual and I wouldn't recommend you post a pic here.

Of course the simplest solution is to cut it.

 

[DocWinter]

You'll have to be extra vigilant to present yourself appropriately in 4th year on your interviews.
Cut it and regrow in residency if you are really in love with it.

 

[jhamaican]

Your long hair as a male will hurt you.

Nobody may say anything, but it will show through in your evaluations and during match

Impressions are everything.

Medicine is still very old fashioned and conservative.

If you simply want to match pathology, PM&R, family medicine etc... Fuk it and everyone who doesn't like it can suck a fat one

If you are gunning for plastics, dermatology, ortho etc... Cut your hair tonight! They are looking for anything to separate candidates.

 

[Smurfette]

I had someone in my med school class with very long hair. He was also an older student. He always wore his hair back in a ponytail and I believe years later, still has long hair. I never heard any major talk about his hair during 3rd or 4th year although I'm sure he took some flack. But he had a likable personality and could handle criticism. It's doable, but some people aren't going to like it. It's not actually unprofessional unless it's unkempt or in the way.

Bear in mind some people (medical staff and patients) are just not going to like any number of things about you or your classmates, whether it's hair, clothes, or stuff you can't change like accents/skin color/gender. Pick your battles; if you want to keep your hair long, do it, but realize you may get some negative feedback. If you're comfortable with that, great. If not, well, you'll need to change it.

 

[Psai]

If you don't look like this, don't bother.

 

[JonathanHusky]

you know how sometimes guys get a line on the side of their head with a haircut? is that inappropriate?? uhhh asking for a friend...

 

[DBV]

you know how sometimes guys get a line on the side of their head with a haircut? is that inappropriate?? uhhh asking for a friend...

Not really sure what you're talking about but if you have to ask...

 

[el_duderino]

Not really sure what you're talking about but if you have to ask...

For real.

Come on guys. You're in a service profession, and you're in the initial training phases. Your job is to make people feel better. If you're willing to make people feel uncomfortable just so you can have unusual hair, then so be it. Understand that your unorthodox fashion choices will make some people not like you or distrust you. If that's how you want to stand out, go for it, but surely you have to see what the risks are.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Cut your hair you damn hippie

 

[rg2o3]

I would say that short, clean hair will be perceived as professional. On the contrary, the long hair may be perceived in many different ways. Is it really worth it to have long hair and have the possibility of it impeding on your professional career? I may be biased, as I am older and was in the military, but imo clean cut hair is always the way to go.

 

[DiscusKeeper]

you know how sometimes guys get a line on the side of their head with a haircut? is that inappropriate?? uhhh asking for a friend...

If you're talking about a cut-in part, totally fine.

If you mean getting crazy designs shaved into the side of your head, that's probably not a good idea lol.

 

[JonathanHusky]

If you're talking about a cut-in part, totally fine.

If you mean getting crazy designs shaved into the side of your head, that's probably not a good idea lol.

yea a cut in part... not talking about getting the krebs cycle shaved into the side of my head lolol

 

[DiscusKeeper]

yea a cut in part... not talking about getting the krebs cycle shaved into the side of my head lolol

Haha then I'd say go for it. Cut in parts are very stylish but still professional. I usually get one and I've never had a single issue.

 

[WingedOx]

Can you tie it back in a way that looks very professional?

You can totally make it "party in the back" as long as it's "business in the front"

 

[ortnakas]

Agree with @Psai. The risk averse move is cutting it off. Attendings (and patients) might be judging you, overtly or covertly. If you want to keep it, I definitely suggest tying it back.

 

[Small Cell Carcinoma]

You'll have to be extra vigilant to present yourself appropriately in 4th year on your interviews.
Cut it and regrow in residency if you are really in love with it.

Hmm I’m starting to wonder if this could have been part of the reason why I had so many post-interview rejections when I was applying to medical school, as I had long hair then too.

 

[el_duderino]

Hmm I’m starting to wonder if this could have been part of the reason why I had so many post-interview rejections when I was applying to medical school, as I had long hair then too.

Ah, the light has gone off...

 

[Small Cell Carcinoma]

Ah, the light has gone off...

Still highly disappointing to see how someone may judge you negatively just for having a certain hairstyle. I wonder if a woman would be judged similarly for having short hair?

 

[Psai]

Still highly disappointing to see how someone may judge you negatively just for having a certain hairstyle. I wonder if a woman would be judged similarly for having short hair?

If it's not flowing to their toes, I'm not interested.

 

[el_duderino]

Still highly disappointing to see how someone may judge you negatively just for having a certain hairstyle. I wonder if a woman would be judged similarly for having short hair?

Every woman in medicine has story after story about getting called nurse, patients addressing the male medical student instead of the female attending, etc.

 

[Small Cell Carcinoma]

Every woman in medicine has story after story about getting called nurse, patients addressing the male medical student instead of the female attending, etc.

Sort of unrelated but OK?

 

[yeasports]

Cut your hair and donate it. A win from every angle, and you won't look back in anger.

 

[JonathanHusky]

Sort of unrelated but OK?

as in most women get judged period, regardless of if they have short hair or not

 

[Stagg737]

you know how sometimes guys get a line on the side of their head with a haircut? is that inappropriate?? uhhh asking for a friend...

I think it's partially a regional thing as well. I've heard attendings on the west coast say "man-buns" can be considered professional but have never heard this anywhere else.

The style I think you're describing would be completely fine in my midwestern city, as a couple very popular sports heroes have that haircut and I see people in suits with it all the time (including hospital admins). Go to another midwestern city and I doubt this would be the case.

 

[DBV]

Still highly disappointing to see how someone may judge you negatively just for having a certain hairstyle. I wonder if a woman would be judged similarly for having short hair?

Welcome to the real world. We are your tour guides, pain and regret. And yes the game is rigged.

 

[jhamaican]

Still highly disappointing to see how someone may judge you negatively just for having a certain hairstyle. I wonder if a woman would be judged similarly for having short hair?

lol. how sheltered are you? ever had a real job?

We always joke that medicine is the only field where people get upset about being judged on people skills and appearance.

Welcome to the real world, well almost. You still remain well sheltered within the ivory castle at this point.

 

[Goro]

Still highly disappointing to see how someone may judge you negatively just for having a certain hairstyle. I wonder if a woman would be judged similarly for having short hair?

This is a profession where you get judged until you're Professor Emeritus. It goes with the territory. When you put on that white coat, you go into character.

 

[Crayola227]

When you put on that white coat, you go into character.

^^
This. Love this.

 

[Aerus]

you know how sometimes guys get a line on the side of their head with a haircut? is that inappropriate?? uhhh asking for a friend...

As long as it's not a crazy design, I think it's totally fine. I have a line on the side of my head, but it doesn't really stand out in any way and just makes my haircut look clean and neat.

 

[Aerus]

Still highly disappointing to see how someone may judge you negatively just for having a certain hairstyle. I wonder if a woman would be judged similarly for having short hair?

Women get judged for wearing too little make-up, for wearing too much make-up, for having skirts that go above the knees, for talking too assertively, for not speaking up enough, for wearing the same outfit too many times, for being too chubby, for being too skinny, for showing too much cleavage, for not having enough cleavage, etc. We guys have it pretty easy in terms of being judged.

 

[el_duderino]

When you put on that white coat, you go into character.

That's a great line.

 

[Peach Newport]

This is a profession where you get judged until you're Professor Emeritus. It goes with the territory. When you put on that white coat, you go into character.

From now on, this line is only allowed to be spoken as the opening monologue to a doctor show, with the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” playing in the background.

 

[NurWollen]

If you don't look like this, don't bother.

...

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[Durty-Trixxx]

I would think you could only get away with long hair in very liberal cities like Manhattan or L.A. or San Francisco. Even in those places, you'd probably be asked to tie it back into a bun so your long gorgeous hair is not flopping into patient's faces during physical exams.

If you're fabulously good-looking, I would guess you'll get more leeway on the hairstyle than a dude who looks like a homeless person.

Try sporting long hair in places like Iowa or Kentucky or Texas and they wont be calling you "student doc" anymore --- but a slew of unsavory insults that question your sexual orientation and such. Attendings, residents, and your fellow students will make your life hellish and you'll eventually cave in and cut the mane.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Depends on where you are. More liberal places are going to tolerant.

Humans are a bunch of biased pricks, and doctors are no exception to the rule. It's up to you to decide how risk averse you want to be.

I know male physicians with long hair, some with ear piercings, some with visible tattoos (including very top of the chain physicians), one with snakebite piercings (although he doesn't wear them in the hospital), and one who used to have a Prince Albert piercing (NSFW, don't ask how I know).

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

Still highly disappointing to see how someone may judge you negatively just for having a certain hairstyle. I wonder if a woman would be judged similarly for having short hair?

I cut my hair boy short for a period of time in residency, and sure enough, I think I was taken a little more seriously. Now I have long hair again and suddenly the “nurse” situations are back. Of course, I’m an attending now, so it happens less frequently, because by the time I come in, my PA or resident has introduced me to the patient, or at least told them about me.


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[sunshinefl]

I cut my hair boy short for a period of time in residency, and sure enough, I think I was taken a little more seriously. Now I have long hair again and suddenly the “nurse” situations are back. Of course, I’m an attending now, so it happens less frequently, because by the time I come in, my PA or resident has introduced me to the patient, or at least told them about me.


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You're a lady?! Our whole life together has been a lie. (I always thought of you as a male. I'm not sure if d/t name or post style....)

 

[Oso]

If you're fabulously good-looking, I would guess you'll get more leeway on the hairstyle than a dude who looks like a homeless person.

*sigh of relief*

 

[Small Cell Carcinoma]

I would think you could only get away with long hair in very liberal cities like Manhattan or L.A. or San Francisco. Even in those places, you'd probably be asked to tie it back into a bun so your long gorgeous hair is not flopping into patient's faces during physical exams.

If you're fabulously good-looking, I would guess you'll get more leeway on the hairstyle than a dude who looks like a homeless person.

Try sporting long hair in places like Iowa or Kentucky or Texas and they wont be calling you "student doc" anymore --- but a slew of unsavory insults that question your sexual orientation and such. Attendings, residents, and your fellow students will make your life hellish and you'll eventually cave in and cut the mane.

I don’t think think I look unkempt, but I definitely do not consider myself to be a very attractive person (maybe a 4-5) so if what you are saying is true, I may not get much leeway.