new thread
Just graduated from my paramedic certificate program, got nationally registered, and I have a job as an EMT-Paramedic now. I work for a small relaxed company so I didn't end up having to cut my hair. I'm regrowing it for the second time and its had about a year's growth. I can NEARLY put it in a ponytail (the front isn't quite long enough). Anyways, I've been tucking it behind my ears in the meantime. At home I let my hair air dry after a shower. What should I do at work? I work long shifts (days at a time sleeping up there) and if I got a call during a shower (which hasn't happened yet but will) or even a long time afterwards my hair will be a big soaking mop. That and it's getting pretty cold outside. Do I need to avoid washing it at work (in which case it gets greasy and messy from sleeping and looks unprofessional) start blow drying it (which damages it and still won't help if I get caught while showering) or what? Being wet isn't THAT much of a problem but it tends to be messy, even when I brush it out before showering and it's bad/hard to brush it out wet. If someone could suggest some routine to keep it tangle free after a shower or dry it quickly or some other solution, that would be great. Thanks people!
During the 80s I worked as an EMT and waist length hair at the
time. I never had a problem, usually kept in a pony tail
or braided it. If a call came while is was in the shower
I just tied it in a pony tail or did a braid if I had time.
Again, my hair isn't long enough for a ponytail or braid. And a soaking wet messy mop isn't very professional looking to most patients as well as it being freezing at 3:00am for hours on the highway.
I would just do what you're doing now. If I were in your position and a call came in while I was showering I'd just rinse some water over it (very quickly, not worry about it too much), shake it out real fast, pat it over with the towel real fast, and then tie it up in a ponytail. I also keep a wide-toothed comb around the shower at home to brush it out while I'm washing and make sure the water reaches all the hairs (it doesn't pull out my hair the way a normal brush would when wet).
First of all, a big CONGRATS to you for getting your paramedic certificate! I've seen other paramedics with long hair before (not all that uncommon out here in Northern California, at least); so I imagine the problem doesn't have to be of too serious concern.
Based on what you narrated about the possibility of getting a call while right in the middle of taking a shower some day, I'd purchase a bottle of "no-rinse" shampoo -- they are usually intended for bed-ridden patients in hospitals or other elderly shut-in types; but they can work for younger people just the same... You just apply it according to the bottle's directions, towel-drying and rubbing it clean, rather than rinsing it out with actual water.
On your days off when you're at home you can always make sure to give yourself a normal shampooing and conditioning with regular shower water; but this is an idea I would consider if I was in your shoes, if you have to be away from home for days at a time, staying on-call for work-related emergencies at the drop of a hat.
Also, the longer your hair eventually gets, the more you'll find it not quite as necessary to shampoo as frequently as when you had short hair. A thorough hair-brushing when your hair is dry can do wonders in "freshening" up your scalp and mane -- I've been an avid proponent of dry-brushing all of my life, it really does help keep the hair & scalp clean and healthy between shampooing days...
I hope my comments have helped!
- Ken in San Francisco
Zach, congratulations on passing your paramedic certificate program - that is not an easy course to get through! You should be proud of that accomplishment! :)
I agree with Ken to give waterless shampoo products a try, to see if you like them.
Another suggestion is to ues powder; I have used it many times for more than 10 years and have had good results. Personally, I buy powder that has corn starch as the main ingredient, not talc as the main ingredient, although I have used talc in the past.
The purpose of putting powder on dry hair is to absorb any excess oil between washing/rinsing with water. It doesn't *clean* your hair, just absorbs some of the oil and makes it *look* cleaner. Just sprinkle a small amount on either side of your part, and in the back, close to the top where the oil is most noticeable. Use the fingers of one hand to rub your hair/scalp in a zig-zag motion wherever you put the powder. (Don't worry, it's easy - you can't mess this up!) :) Then brush your hair out. If you do get powder in your part, just use a damp washcloth to get it out. I will say though, that I have blonde hair, and I don't know if using powder will make darker hair appear lighter or not.
Another suggestion is to just embrace the "wet look." Not with wet (freezing!) hair, but using gel/pomade/other product that will tame your hair and give it a professional, sleek look ~ not a greasy/dirty look.
Good luck in your new job, Zach, and on your hair journey! :)
Maybe I'm wrong, but don't a lot of paramedics wear caps these days? It seems like that would solve your problem.