Our personal appearance can affect our day. Feeling fresh and pampered can make or break your attitude. When individuals are ill or needing care, sometimes the littlest thing, like washing and styling their hair, can make a big difference in their confidence, motivation and self-image, particularly if they are welcoming visitors. When an individual experiences a loss of independence or ability, a clean, combed head of hair is a simple way to help them feel their best, which might inspire them in their recovery or ongoing health battle. Here is how to give a loved one the full beauty treatment at home.
A cosmetic outing
If the person you care for is able to leave home, ask if he or she would like to go to the salon or barber shop. It's part of many people's routine, and it can be a chance to see and meet other people.
Help for washing and styling someone’s hair at home
If the person can't go out, but can pay for a stylist, ask if the stylist will come to the home. If they aren’t willing to come to your loved one’s home, ask the stylist or barber to show you some basic skills for cutting and styling hair.
If you can't get professional help, try to find a simple style that pleases your loved one and is easy for you to do and maintain. In some cases, a short hair style may look best and be easier to care for. The internet is filled with inspiration for hair care and styling.
Washing a loved one’s hair at home
Try to wash the person's hair as often as he or she wants, or at least twice a week. You can use a no-rinse shampoo or a dry shampoo when you can't use water.
Start by gathering your supplies. Depending on where you will wash the person’s hair, you may need:
- A towel or salon cape to drape over the shoulders
- Wet or no-rinse shampoo, condition or a all-in-one product
- A hair-washing tray for the sink or an inflatable wash basin for the bed. The tray has a U shape on one end and an opening or spout on the other. The water runs down the tray into the sink.
- A towel to dry the hair
- Wide-tooth and fine-tooth combs. A wide-tooth comb can help gently remove tangles. A fine-tooth comb can help when you style the hair.
- A hair dryer and a hair brush
Home washing and styling considerations
You may be able to shampoo your loved one's hair when you help them take a shower. If that isn't a good option, you can wash their hair by having them sit in a chair at a sink. It is also possible to wash someone's hair in bed.
When washing your loved one's hair, let them do as much of the washing as possible and assist when they can’t do the motion.
If your loved one has dementia, they may not like the feeling of water on their head or face. Try to keep water off of the person's face, and if they don't want their hair washed with water, use a dry shampoo or a no-rinse shampoo.
Washing and styling hair in a chair at a sink
If you are washing someone's hair in a sink, you can buy a hair-washing tray at a medical supply store to help you.
- Have the person sit in the chair and face away from the sink.
- Put the towel or cape over their shoulders and upper body to keep their shirt dry.
- Put the hair-washing tray over the person's shoulders, with the U shape against their neck. The other end of the tray should be in the sink.
- Wet the person's hair by pouring warm water from a container over the hair. Or you can attach a hose and nozzle to the sink faucet to spray water on the hair.
- Wash the person's hair with no-tears shampoo. Rinse the hair. Apply conditioner if the person uses it. Rinse again.
- Dry the hair with a towel.
- Comb the hair, and then use a hair dryer and a brush to style the hair as the person wishes.
Washing and styling hair in bed
You can wash the person's hair using an inflatable hair-washing basin. The water collects in the basin to keep the bed dry. If you are washing someone's hair in bed, you can place a waterproof sheet on top of the bedding to help keep it dry.
- Have the person lie flat. Position the basin underneath their head, with their neck resting in the U-shaped opening.
- Pour warm water from a container onto the hair. Shampoo the hair and then rinse it a couple of times. Apply conditioner if needed. Rinse again.
- Dry the hair with a towel.
- Comb the hair, and then style it with a brush and a hair dryer.
Copyrighted material adapted with permission from Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
