Caring for Senior Hair
“Caring for seniors is my calling,” Susan Turner, Stylist at Traditions at North Bend
For Susan, caring for seniors’ hair is more than a job; it’s a calling. A talented stylist with years of experience, she never expected to find her niche in senior haircare, but after having two sets of identical twins just 27 months apart, she needed flexibility in her career. She first found it at Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing Home and later at Traditions at North Bend. Now, she can’t imagine working in a traditional salon again. Her time at Traditions has given her not only a purpose but also connected her to a close-knit community she’s grown to love.
With seniors, haircare is more than just styling—it’s about building trust, lifting spirits, and helping people feel beautiful at any age. Here are some of the stories, tips, and insights Susan has gathered over her years of working with the elderly.
Transforming Gray to Glamourous
One day, a resident sat in Susan’s chair, lamenting about her graying hair. Susan suggested going blonde, and the resident’s face lit up with excitement. They went through with the color transformation, and now she comes in every few weeks for a touch-up. Ms. Nancy, as Susan calls her, is proof that blondes over 80 do have more fun! She feels more vibrant and confident, showing that sometimes a change in hair color can reignite a spark in life.
Another resident had been wearing partial wigs due to her thinning hair. Susan suggested she stop perming, explaining that perming can weaken the hair further. For perms to work, ammonium thioglycolate breaks the disulfide bonds in the hair, reshaping it around curlers, then re-forming new bonds with a neutralizing solution. This process can make hair especially fragile, particularly when combined with coloring. The resident trusted Susan’s advice, and within a few months, her hair became thicker and healthier. Now, she no longer needs to wear a wig and loves her weekly wash and style appointments.
Senior Haircare Tips
Here are some of Susan’s haircare tips specifically for seniors.
• For Women: If gray hair bothers you, consider dyeing it a shade lighter than your natural color. This softens the transition and blends the gray better. For those not coloring or perming their hair, conditioner may not be necessary and can actually weigh hair down, making it limp. But if you do perm or color, a good conditioner is essential to keep hair healthy.
• For Men: Susan has a special fondness for men’s haircuts, often keeping them “high and tight” for a sharp look. She encourages men to embrace baldness rather than relying on the classic comb-over. However, she’s always respectful of their choices. Men also need to watch for seborrheic dermatitis (commonly known as “cradle cap”)—a condition characterized by flaky, itchy skin on the scalp. Susan recommends using shampoos like Neutrogena T-Gel to help manage it.
• General Maintenance Tips: Hair changes throughout life, from puberty to old age. Many seniors notice their hair texture shifts, with curls or waves appearing or becoming more prominent. Susan helps her clients embrace these changes, often suggesting shorter styles for easy maintenance and a more manageable look.
Building Connections and Uplifting Spirits
For Susan, her work is about connection and kindness. She loves getting to know each resident, and they look forward to sharing stories and laughs. Her daughters often visit Traditions on their days off, dancing around and brightening the residents’ days. Susan feels grateful every day to have found a career that allows her to serve others in such a meaningful way.
Susan also goes above and beyond for her clients. She’s been known to rush over for last-minute styling sessions if a resident has a big event, like a wedding. She recently returned to work on a Saturday after a busy week to ensure one resident looked just right for a family wedding.
