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washing hair in shower. Or bath.

(42 Posts)
Fennel Wed 21-Apr-21 20:40:22

After breaking my ankle and confined to a wheelchair for a few weeks I could no longer reach the basin to wash my hair.
So I tried washing it in the shower. As I expected I got soapy water in my eye and it's still weeping.
how do other people manage? do you just wash it without shampoo?

Redhead56 Sun 25-Apr-21 11:15:26

I wash my hair in the basin more in control that no shampoo in my eyes.

eazybee Sun 25-Apr-21 10:16:20

When we first had a shower in the 1970s I found it very difficult to was my hair without getting soap in my eyes, but I soon learned, by adjusting the angle of my head, but using baby shampoo, non-stinging, certainly helped!

Oldbat1 Sun 25-Apr-21 09:45:03

Get yourself a shower seat - not too expensive. Make sure you have a non slip mat in the shower. I wash my hair every morning in the shower with my back towards the shower never have a problem with shampoo in my eyes. It is a power shower so not gentle. Good luck getting organised.

Franbern Sun 25-Apr-21 09:40:19

I use a small shower stool so that I can sit throughout my shower. Tend to have my head forward when washng my hair, no shampoo in my eyes.

In my bath I have a normal shower head and also a smaller hand held one. So, if I am using trhe bath, and want to wash my hair I use that smaller one.

There are very many different sorts of aids out there to assist people who have mobility problems in getting in and/or out of their baths.

BlueBelle Fri 23-Apr-21 15:51:46

I ve always washed my hair cleaned my teeth and everything else needing cleaning in one fell swoop in the shower every morning around 7am
Why not ??

Fennel Fri 23-Apr-21 15:18:29

Thanks for all the replies/ideas.The most mentioned seems to be put your head beck - i wouldn' risk that as a stand holding onto bars at 2 sides and I couldn't do that if I turned my back.
but I'll soon be able to manage with the sink, standing ,as it has a mixer tap with space beneath for my head and for my hands to massage my scalp.

Elegran Thu 22-Apr-21 11:10:14

We were just discussing this problem at our zoom meet-up yesterday. One of us was recommending these inside-out shower caps - www.amazon.co.uk/Shampoo-Haircare-residue-Massage-Drench?tag=gransnetforum-21

henetha Thu 22-Apr-21 10:45:03

I always wash my hair in the shower. I stand with my back to the shower and positioned just right so the water does not run down my face. Then shampoo and rinse.

Charleygirl5 Thu 22-Apr-21 09:50:02

silverlining what will happen if and when you can no longer get in and out of a bath? I have not had a bath for around 12 years because of that.

Sitting on a bath stool helps balance problems and I have no problem washing my hair. It is a fiddle turning the water off and on but I have it to a T now. If you cannot move the handset around that would be a different ball game.

Teacheranne Thu 22-Apr-21 09:47:33

If mobility is an issue, make sure you have something to hold onto when you step out of the shower as it’s too easy to trip over the rim of the shower tray! I’m lucky as my basin is close by to hold onto.

simtib Thu 22-Apr-21 09:44:22

simtib

Have not had a bath for years. Shower and wash my hair every morning. Just start at the top and work down.

My Mum also has showers and has a seat that she places in the shower.

Callistemon Thu 22-Apr-21 09:37:28

simtib

Have not had a bath for years. Shower and wash my hair every morning. Just start at the top and work down.

It's not that easy with a broken ankle as Fennel has.

simtib Thu 22-Apr-21 08:31:41

Have not had a bath for years. Shower and wash my hair every morning. Just start at the top and work down.

silverlining48 Thu 22-Apr-21 08:10:31

How about dry shampoo, you just spray it on and give it a rub.
Or not worry at all. I know someone who didn’t wash hers for 6 weeks and it looked ok.

silverlining48 Thu 22-Apr-21 08:07:03

I don’t shower as my balance is poor, especially with eyes closed, so wash hair while sitting in the bath. Works for me.
Hope you feel better soon Fennel,

Grannynannywanny Thu 22-Apr-21 08:04:33

Just read your post Puzzler61 and you and I were thinking along the same lines!

Grannynannywanny Thu 22-Apr-21 08:00:14

Fennel I wonder if one of these bath attachments might help you. It attaches to both bath taps and the hose leading to the shower head in this particular one is extra long at almost 6 feet. So it should reach your head comfortably if you were sitting on a stool leaning over the side of the bath.

I had one of them when I used to put my small grandchildren in the bath together. I found it good for washing my granddaughter’s hair when it was a bit longer and thicker than her little brother’s.

www.amazon.co.uk/Croydex-AA107022-Shower-Bathroom-Connector/dp/B08CK33GX7/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=bath+taps+shampoo+hose+longer+length&tag=gransnetforum-21&qid=1619073676&sr=8-17

Puzzler61 Thu 22-Apr-21 07:55:58

Sorry you have broken your ankle Fennel.
I’ve read your OP and I use the shower, but not in the bracket.
It lifts down and I lean over a bath, hold the shower hose in my left hand and do shampooing with my right.
I do it as quickly as possible as it does make my back ache but I find it better than standing in the shower, I have never liked to wash my hair that way. Just one of the many odd things about me different to most grans on here.

Santana Thu 22-Apr-21 07:28:02

I get really sore eyes which are aggravated by any kind of shampoo, even the no tears variety. Shutting them doesn't work entirely as the shampoo finds its way in somehow. My eyes swell and get red raw.
So I use swimming goggles, much to everyone's amusement, but it does work!

Calendargirl Thu 22-Apr-21 07:01:03

Just to be different!

I still wash my hair at the basin (to me, the sink is in the kitchen).

I realise I am in the minority.

BigBertha1 Thu 22-Apr-21 06:59:50

I do the same as kittylester

welbeck Wed 21-Apr-21 23:24:57

OP, why not use, no more tears or similar baby shampoo.
it doesn't sting.
don't do anything risky, with manoeuvres.
i am having some problems lately. i used to just put my head under the single bath tap, while i was having a bath, to wash hair. don't have a shower. but now i can hardly turn the cold tap, it is v stiff, and if i can open it, i struggle to close it.
can't get anyone in. don't ask.
wish i'd had them changed a few years ago, when i had the basin taps changed to neat levers.
the bath ones haven't got much grip. stupid design.

Oopsadaisy1 Wed 21-Apr-21 22:39:48

I stand with my back to the shower head, tilt my head back, but I have a folded up flannel over my forehead/ eyebrow area, that stops the soapy water from running into my eyes, with years of practise it stays in place leaving me with both hands to wash hair.

Returnofthemc Wed 21-Apr-21 22:23:36

It's really difficult to get into a new routine
I've broken numerous bones over the years, I have osteoporosis
Take it slowly...
I have a hair towel and a bath towel ready over the shower
I wash my hair facing backwards
Hope this helps a little bit
Good luck Fennel

Charleygirl5 Wed 21-Apr-21 22:11:24

It is trial and error but I feel you need something to sit on. I use the shower head hand held.