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Hello everyone. I am new here and I was hoping for some advice/input/opinions on how to grow your hair out and how it relates to your job.
A little background first: I have had long hair twice in the past (shoulder length and longer). It takes my hair about 10 months to be considered "long" and 12 months to have a decent ponytail that will stay put. Of course, up until that time I have a long, terrible "awkward" phase with thick, wavy, "floofy" hair. The floofy "wings" calm down as it gets to ponytail length but like I said it takes a long time to get there. I never had much trouble growing it out in the past because I had a rather menial job where I could wear whatever I wanted and I could wear a hat to work. Now I have a salaried supervisor position in my company and I cannot wear a hat to work and I am expected to look fairly professional (although we dress business casual, no suit and tie stuff). Getting a different job is not an option because this one pays great compared to what else I could get. Of course, as in any big business my superiors are very conservative, not to mention judgemental. I only know of maybe 1 other supervisor in our region who has long hair. I'm not looking for a promotion anytime soon, so I'm not worried about long hair messing up my "corporate image" a little but I am concerned that I will be under a lot of pressure to cut.
However, every time I have cut my hair I wish I hadn't. I love having my hair long, because it just feels "right" to me but I always abhor the long in-between stage. After about 3 months from my last cutting I will need to start using gel to keep it under control but the back of my neck will still be very curly and unkempt looking until it's long enough and the bangs reach back to tie it all in a pony.
I guess I'm just wondering if anyone out there has gone through this and what your experiences have been? I know that if I get it long again I will never cut it again unless I go bald. I'm 30 and, although my hair has receeded a little, it is still pretty full and thick. Maybe I'm too old to have long hair?
Lastly, what is the general concensus for diet, supplements, etc. that will help me grow my hair faster?
Any help would be MUCH appreciated!!!! Thank you!!!!
You could talk to your supervisors and ask them how they would feel if you were to grow your hair long. give them the timeline you presented us and see how they react. I would personally run away from a paycheck that didn't let me have my hair in its natural state, but that's just me :)
I think this kind of discussion is easier to do before you actually start growing them because once they're long and there IS pressure to cut, discussions will usually get more.... flaming :)
good luck with that!
-vincent
I work in is a small company, and we have a pretty slack policy towards dress code and personal presentation, which is pretty typical of New Media industries. So I can't really speak from any personal experience, but I'd say that if you plan on growing your hair out at work then the key to is going to be staying 'presentable' whilst you grow out.
I'd sugest you try the 'Slicked Back' look for work out. Its a pretty conservative style and won't upset anyone, its easy to maintain with a little Gel and if you keep the back trimed it won't become aparent to your superiors that you are growing your hair for about 12 months. After which time you reckon your hair will long enough for a tail.
Just a thought.
Yo..just checking to see if you've got an email address. Wanted to drop you a line... you can email me if you want to keep it secret, or not if you want it X-tra secret. Peace.
I've been there too, although I was directly told if I didn't cut It I would be fired, I did, hated myself and grew it back out. I worked for 3.5 years and I was laid off in feb with a bunch of other younger folks who wern't as conservative as the company wants. They actually had the nerve to call me and say I might get my job back if I cut it, I said no thanks, and am now looking. I would suggest that you allways have some savings, and if you can, don't talk to anyone about this, don't give them any info, and do what you want. Read your companys dres code, see what it says. Don't ever talk to anyone alone if you can, I would have had a killer discrimination suit if I could have had some one else hear the things I was told. Anyway, good luck and do what makes you happy.
I think the most important thing I have ever learned is to stop worrying what others think, say, ect about.
Sorry to hear about that...I don't really expect any direct confrontation from my bosses (although you never know..) but I do anticipate some offhand comments and/or discrimination in terms of being on the wrong end of favoritism, perks, etc. I agree with you that I will not mention what I am doing to them - I will just do it and see how my relationship with my bosses changes. Thank you for your input, you illustarted exactly what I feared might happen. Hopefully no one will have the..ahem.."balls" to say anything about my hair style and personal choices. I will still be a model supervisor despite my shaggy hair so hopefully they are "enlightened" enough to accept it.
My personal experiences and thought:
I have had jobs where I have had much pressure to either get a haircut or have an uneasy time with my supervisors.
I am now 53 and have been re-growing my hair for the last 2 years now.
When I was in my early 20's I had shoulder length hair.
Stayed like thst until my early 30's.
I got a haircut and kept it short until 2 years ago when I started to regrow my hair. It is taking twice as long to grow my hair now as it did when I was 30 years younger.
(Had a family, my son was growing up, and I cut my hair due to pressures at work.}
My son is 28 years old now, and I am unfortunately divorced.
I was in retail management for the appx 25 years.
Now I am a commercial truck driver, 18 wheeler.
Some methods that I used early on was to buy a short hair wig and wear that to work. Wig wore out, got a haircut afterwards, got tired of hasseling with the wig, so I did not buy another one.
I wish that I had never gotten a haircut, my advice is to find a way to keep your hair as long as you want your hair to be.
If I had not gotten a haircut, my hair may be down my back by now.
As far as nutrients, eat healthy and exercise, take vitamins for
the hair.\and regular vitamins.
Take care,
Mike
When I started my current (Corporate) job about three years ago, I had (uncharacteristically)been into short hair for a couple of years and for the first few months alway had a #4 (1/2") crewcut. I decided that I wanted to grow my hair long again as I had alway had long hair...shoulder length or longer since I was 17 ( I was 44 at the time I started the job).
I did not cut my hair for over two years and not once did anyone say anything about it growing out.
Finally, a few weeks ago, I foolishly got my hair buzzed off into a crewcut again.
When I went into work, everyone was shocked. No one noticed it growing but they definitely noticed it cut.
So, my advice is, "as long as you are a good employee...don't worry about it". Most people do not seem to notice gradual change.
And by the way...I'ver already started growing mine back again and can't wait to reach terminal lenght in 3 or 4 years.
Good luck !!!
Well, let me share my experience. I’m a 48 year old assistant controler with a mid sized architects firm. The working environment is very casual; anything goes. One guy even works in his bare feet. So obviously my long hair has never even been an issue here. I got the job after the first interview. I must admit I have excellent credentials; bachelors degree in finance + major in accounting (no CPA though). I speak 3 languages and I master Windows, Excel & Accpac.
That being said, it was another story at my previous job. I was an auditor where we had to go from client to client. As my hair was getting longer, the boss had hinted that it I would not be able to let it grow much longer. At that point, I started looking elsewhere; 2 weeks later, I had my new job with the architects. Never been happier! Another + is the fact that the workload is normal. Accounting jobs can be quite stressful, with plenty of deadlines & overtime. At 48, I would not want to go back to those days. One needs a balanced life to be healthy. Work isn’t everything.
So what’s my advice? Well I say take it one day at a time. Observe the evolving situation with detatchment. Always keep your hair neat, tied in a pony tail (if it’s long enough). If you do get an ultimatum from the high brass, I admit It’ll be a tough choice. If the executives can look beyond their bigoted impression of a long haired male employee & recognize that your qualifications are more important to the organization than their negative perception of your long hair, they will want to keep you.
Be assertive and firm about your choice to sport long hair, however stay calm and never get into a heated argument on the subject.
I have been taking 1 multi vitamin a day for the past 35 years. I do not believe it helps hair growth in particular but it does contribute to maintaining a healthy body. Stress takes a heavy toll on ones health and I know first hand how devastating it can be. My live-in g/f of 8 years lost ¾ of her hair as a teenager part of it grew back after her bout with stress & depression but she must wear a wig for the rest of her life as she still has large bald patches on her head.
I wish you luck.
Marc A
Marc
I work for a very large corporation in Management. I have never had any problems from anyone about growing my hair out. Just do it and see what happens. I believe you can still grow your hair and dress and look professional. If you think you may be on the receiving end of pressure, then my recommendation is to keep the eyes away from your head. Dress even more professional during your awkard stage, keep your neck and ears clean (Meaning keep those little tuffs of hairs shaved). Use some product that contains no alcohol. Little things like this can go a long way and has worked for me. PEople will notice your hair is growing, but it will be subtle with your overall look.
I've got two experiences to share. My first growth was between the ages of 16 and 22, while going to college and working at a grocery store. When I hit shoulder length, they told me, along with two other long hairs to cut it or else. The other two did, I refused, didn't argue or get irate, stayed calm and offered to compromise however we could. We agreed I could wear a ponytail and hide it down the shirt, plus I went to a very early morning shift, in which the store was closed for 3 of my 8 hours. Many of my coworkers told me they would have never fired me over it. I kept that growth until graduating from college, and with the anticipation of a professional job in a semi-corporate environment (I'm a mechanical design engineer), cut it short.
My latest job, which I've had 5 years, is in a pretty casual manufacturing environment, and I have little contact with customers or the like. I've had a mullet a little past my shoulders before, no problems. Last year I cut it way short, hated it, now I haven't cut it since September, decided to let it all go. I don't foresee any problems.
Important things to keep in mind are: try to be damn good at what you do, keep a positive attitude, don't get angry or belligerant if something is said about your hair, be flexible, and keep it as neat with an overall neat appearance. Many people in my position at this company get away with t-shirts and old jeans, not shaving for three days. Just to make sure I'm only fighting one battle, I wear nice jeans and a collared shirt everyday, shave pretty regular, and in my awkward stage, I'm using the gel.
Hope this helps, good luck. I understand you concerns, they've been big to me, but at age 32 and still loving long hair, I finally decided it's gonna grow no matter what this time.
