Helping Your Child Prepare for a Haircut

Haircuts can feel overwhelming for some children — especially if it is their first haircut, they are nervous about new experiences, or they are sensitive to noise, touch or unfamiliar surroundings.
This page is here to help parents prepare their child in advance, understand what to expect, and make the visit as calm and positive as possible.

Before the Haircut: Simple Ways to Prepare

Before the appointment:

Talk about the haircut positively and simply.
Show your child photos of the salon before you come.
Explain what will happen: sitting in the chair, cape on, hair being sprayed, scissors or clippers, then finished.
Avoid promising “it won’t hurt” if your child is already anxious — that can accidentally make them think pain is expected.
Bring a favourite toy, comfort item, snack, tablet or headphones if they help your child feel settled.
If your child is sensitive to noise, touch, clippers or hair on their skin, tell us before the appointment so we can prepare.

What to Expect at the Salon

When you arrive, your child can take a moment to look around before the haircut starts. We do not rush children into the chair.
Depending on your child’s age and comfort level, they can sit in one of our car chairs or a regular salon chair. We can use scissors, clippers, or a combination of both.
If your child needs breaks, wants to stand up, prefers to watch something, or needs more time to settle, that is completely fine. The aim is to make the experience as positive and manageable as possible.

For Nervous or Sensory-Sensitive Children

We understand that some children may need a quieter, slower or more flexible haircut experience.

We can take extra time before starting.
We can reduce noise where possible and avoid clippers if they are a problem.
Your child can bring headphones, a favourite toy, tablet or comfort item.
We can pause the haircut whenever needed.
We can adapt the order of the haircut to what your child is comfortable with.
Parents can tell us in advance about any triggers, preferences or things that help their child feel calm.
If your child has autism, sensory sensitivities or finds haircuts especially difficult, please let us know when booking. We can prepare the appointment around their needs.

First Haircuts

A first haircut is a big milestone, and there is no need to rush it.

Let your child watch what is happening before the haircut starts.
Bring a favourite toy, comfort item or distraction if it helps.
It is fine if your child wants to sit on a parent’s lap rather than in the chair.
We can pause at any time if your child becomes upset or needs a break.
We can take a small lock of hair for you to keep.
We can also provide a first haircut certificate to mark the occasion.
The goal is not to force a perfect haircut. The goal is to help your child leave with a positive experience so the next haircut is easier.

Prepare at Home With Our Haircut Social Story

Our Haircut Social Story helps children understand what will happen before they arrive at the salon.
It uses simple language and pictures to show the haircut step by step — arriving, sitting in the chair, wearing the cape, having hair sprayed or cut, and finishing the visit.
Parents can go through it at home before the appointment, as many times as needed.

Tell Us What Your Child Needs

Every child is different. If there is anything that helps your child feel calmer or anything that can make a haircut harder, please tell us before the appointment.
You can let us know about sensitivities to clippers, noise, water spray, hair touching the face or neck, sitting still, mirrors, or unfamiliar people.
We can also arrange a quieter appointment where possible. The more we know beforehand, the better we can prepare the visit around your child.