I have a couple ideas for you...hopefully they'll help!
First of all, I have heard of cosmetologists that "specialize", or so to speak, in trichotillomania. You could google if there are any in your area.

I have also told hairdressers that I had a bad dye experience that burned my head/severely damaged my hair at my crown (I've said that I went to a cosmetology school and let a student work on my hair). I don't know what color your hair is, but I have blonde hair that I highlight, so this isn't totally out of the realm of possibility, as far as they are concerned. I don't like lying, but I also don't like the judgments that usually accompany people learning about trich for the first time.

What I've done recently has just been honest with the girl who does my hair. She is also my friend from high school, so I had a lot of anxiety about telling her. I've been seeing her for a couple years now, so I know she has had to have noticed it before, but she has never said anything. I made sure I could trust her before I told her, and I told her over text because I'm a big weenie. However, she was so understanding and I'm very glad I told her. I personally believe that hairdressers should be educated about trich! Its debilitation enough without having to worry about getting your hair done! The numbers I've seen suggest that maybe up to 4% of the population has it, so it would be beneficial for there to be more education/less stigmatization in the cosmetology field. Who knows....it might even help their business to be able to advertise that they're knowledgeable and understanding of individuals with trichotillomania...I know that would be someone I would trust! If you can feel brave enough to tell them, even just on the phone ahead of time, I would do that. However, I know how much easier that is said than done :(

Hope this was at least a little helpful!
kristen

Thanks Kristin. I might mention it on the phone before hand - will probably use the dye experience bit.

Thanks!

I'm now okay with telling people I have trich, but in the past I have feigned illness. I would just tell the hairdresser that I was severely ill that caused my hair to fall out in clumps. They would usually respond with happiness that I'm doing better (since the hair was growing back in) and it didn't go further than that.

hey so two answers.
i just recently cut my hair by myself for the first time. i have always watched hairdressers when they did it so i more or less knew what to do. its so freeing to not need to depend on anyone else to cut your hair. im sure you can find something on youtube. my hair is also curly so i'd rather sacrifice a little unevenness rather than have someone touch my hair.
or this actually has also worked for me. one time when i was getting my hair done the hairdresser commented on all the different lengths. so i told her i had been to a different country and the water there really messed up my hair. i had been to a different country and the water did do damage to my hair although it is different than trich damage but whoever it is probably won't know the difference. and actually the hairdresser agreed with me about it and said how it happened to her once also

when I feel weird about my hair... I just tell people I have a medical condition with my hair that caused it to come out.. sometimes I say it was stress related.. sometimes not...

this way I am not technically lying because actually I DO have a medical condition.. its called Trich.. but I am not going to tell them that... if they ask what it is I usually just say I don't like talking about it.. or it makes me feel uncomfortable to talk about.

I really liked the hair dye thing actually.. that is gold! love it.. I might actually try that some time.. XD

After a few bad experiences with hairdressers, I started cutting my own hair, and have now been doing so for 4 years. It took some practice but I got it down to a science now, even learned to do layers. I'm not sure I would go back to a salon even if I had a full head of hair! You should really look it up on youtube, its not as scary as it sounds once you get used to doing it yourself. And for me, I find using a razor is easier then scissors because it keeps the ends from being so blunt, and less obvious if you mess up too.

I have only had two hairdressers that have ever done my hair since my pulling started almost 9 years ago, and both times they just thought it to be stressed related. So i played if off. I would really like to get a new hair person but I just can't make myself because I don't want to have to explain it to them, as my mom (who doesn't know the real reason) has always done the talking for me since this started. So i guess the only real advice would be to try and find a hair person that you like and stick with them because that way they know you and you hair (whether or not they know the exact cause) that way you don't have to explain yourself over an over.

DamienLiu I'm sorry but I have no idea what you're talking about :/

I'm going to see a stylist in my area, the only stylist in my area, that advertises about having helped people with trich, alopecia, ect. I'm hoping that she will be someone that I can go to for hair cuts from now on, hoping!
When I've gone to get hair cuts I usually say I have a medical condition. most of the time they won't question me but when they have I just say that it has a long hard to pronounce name and that I'm being treated for it. I have called ahead to let the stylist know about me before I show up so that I don't have to talk about it much in front of other clients but that hasn't always worked because I've shown up and was still given a random stylist but it's worth a try.
I've always felt better after getting my hair cut, it's nice to do something for yourself once in a while. It is sometimes SUPER AWKWARD but at least it's only for a short while and then you're out of there! Good luck!

I used to really dread going to the hairdresser as I am forced to look in the mirror while they expose my visibly bald parts and the whole of the salon can see too. I agree it is best to find one hairdresser you like and trust and keep going back there. I also try to plan my cuts when it is a quiet time at the salon so there are less people. I have been lucky with the hairdressers I`ve seen, they have all been sympathetic and not made a big deal out of it. I usually just tell them I have some bald parts before they touch my hair and then they know and usually say due to stress if they ask more. If you tell them straight away they can cut your hair so it will cover the bald patches as best as possible. The last time I braved going to a new one it was a very positive experience and I was surprised how much better my hair looked and how easier it was to cover my patches so it has helped me stay motivated to overcome trich.

Now I have found a hairdresser who does my hair really nicely I try to use that as motivation and a reward for doing well with not pulling. I try to fit it in with my goals by telling myself if I have more regrowth next time I go then it won`t be such a big ordeal for me to go.

Hope it goes well!