Social ServiceISCO 5141

Hairdresser

Hairdressers offer beauty services such as cutting, colouring, bleaching, permanent waving and styling clients' hair. They ask their clients about their hairstyle preferences in order to provide customised services. Hairdressers use clippers, scissors and razors. They provide hair and scalp treatments and shampoo, condition and rinse hair.

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Check yourself in a minute: hairdresser

Rate 5 of the 17 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

style hair

maintain equipment

use equipment for hair care

wash hair

identify customer's needs

About hairdresser

As a hairdresser, you are an artist and beauty professional dedicated to enhancing your clients' appearance and confidence through expert hair care and styling services. Your work includes cutting, coloring, bleaching, permanent waving, and styling hair according to clients' preferences and current trends. You'll spend your days consulting with clients to understand their desired look, discussing hair condition and limitations, and providing expert advice on suitable styles. Your technical skills encompass using clippers, scissors, and razors with precision, as well as applying chemical treatments safely and effectively. Beyond styling, you provide hair and scalp treatments, shampooing, conditioning, and rinsing services. This career requires continuous learning to stay updated with evolving trends and techniques. Poland's hairdressing sector offers excellent opportunities for growth, whether you advance to salon manager, open your own salon, specialize in specific techniques like coloring or wedding styling, or expand into related beauty services.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a hairdresser.

Client Consultation and Service Planning

Communicate with clients to identify their hairstyle preferences and desired outcomes
Assess hair type, texture, condition, and scalp health to determine appropriate treatments and styles
Advise clients on suitable hairstyles, hair products, and maintenance routines based on their needs
Stay up-to-date with hair style trends and incorporate latest fashion into recommendations

Hair Cutting and Shaping

Perform precision hair cuts using clippers, scissors, and razors to achieve desired styles
Create various styles including bobs, layers, fades, and texture techniques
Maintain proper cutting angles and proportions for balanced and flattering results
Adapt cutting techniques to suit different hair types and facial features of clients

Hair Coloring and Chemical Treatments

Perform hair coloring services including permanent color, semi-permanent color, and highlights
Conduct bleaching treatments while maintaining hair health and minimizing damage
Apply and manage permanent waving treatments to create lasting waves or curls
Mix and apply color formulations accurately while following safety protocols
Test for allergies and conduct strand tests before applying chemical treatments

Hair Care and Treatments

Shampoo and rinse hair thoroughly using appropriate products for different hair types
Apply conditioning treatments to improve hair texture, shine, and manageability
Provide scalp treatments and massage to promote scalp health and circulation
Recommend and apply hair masks, serums, and specialized treatments based on client needs

Styling and Finishing

Style hair using blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners to achieve desired looks
Create waves, curls, and updos for various occasions including events and weddings
Use hair products and styling tools ergonomically to prevent repetitive strain injuries
Apply finishing products such as hairspray and styling creams for lasting results

Equipment Maintenance and Work Area Management

Maintain and regularly sanitize all hairdressing tools including scissors, clippers, and brushes
Keep workstation clean and organized, restocking supplies as needed throughout the day
Follow health and safety regulations including proper chemical handling and waste disposal
Maintain professional appearance and ensure client comfort throughout service delivery

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (17)

hair colouringhair colouringThe theory and practice of colouring a hairstyle and various process steps and types such as bleaching, highlights, and balayage.hairhairHuman hair, its composition and interaction with various chemicals, environment factors and health issues.hair productshair productsThe qualities and applications of various styling products used on different types of hair, such as curling creams, hairspray, shampoos, and conditioners.style hairstyle hairStyle a person's hair using the appropriate techniques and products.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.maintain equipmentmaintain equipmentRegularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.use equipment for hair careuse equipment for hair careUse tools to cut, trim or shave hair, such as scissors, clippers, razors and combs.wash hairwash hairUse shampoo to clean clients' hair and scalp, use hair conditioners to create volume or make hair more smooth and shiny and afterwards dry the hair with a blow dryer or a towel.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.maintain customer servicemaintain customer serviceKeep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requ...curl haircurl hairCurl a person's hair using the appropriate techniques and products.process paymentsprocess paymentsAccept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attent...dye hairdye hairDye hair using a special solution to change its colour.stay up-to-date with hair style trendsstay up-to-date with hair style trendsKeep abreast of current and future fashion trends in hair styles.advise on hair styleadvise on hair styleMake recommendations to customers about suitable hair styles, based on their preferences and your own professional judgment.satisfy customerssatisfy customersCommunicate with customers and make them feel satisfied.

Optional (20) — show

manage schedule of tasksmanage schedule of tasksMaintain an overview of all the incoming tasks in order to prioritise the tasks, plan their execution, and integrate new tasks as they present themselves.sell hair productssell hair productsSell various styling products used on different types of hair, such as curling creams, hairspray, shampoos and conditioners.order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.manage a small-to-medium businessmanage a small-to-medium businessManage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.treat scalp conditionstreat scalp conditionsUse specialised lotions, shampoos or equipment to treat scalp or hair problems such as hair loss, hair damage, dandruff or psoriasis.offer cosmetic beauty adviceoffer cosmetic beauty adviceProvide customers with advice and beauty tips for creating a new look.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.maintain wigsmaintain wigsOrganise, maintain and repair wigs and hairpieces. Use special shampoos, conditioners and combs. Store wigs in a safe environment.maintain work area cleanlinessmaintain work area cleanlinessKeep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.organise product displayorganise product displayArrange goods in attractive and safe way. Set up a counter or other display area where demonstrations take place in order to attract the attention of prospective customers. Organise and maintain stand...maintain professional administrationmaintain professional administrationFile and organise professional administration documents comprehensively, keep customer records, fill in forms or log books and prepare documents about company-related matter.supervise staffsupervise staffOversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.apply hair cutting techniquesapply hair cutting techniquesApply various techniques that can be used in the process of cutting a person's hair, such as layering, slicing and face framing. Give artists haircuts and shaves for stage performances.recommend cosmetics to customersrecommend cosmetics to customersRecommend and provide advice on cosmetic products based on the customer's personal preferences and needs and on the different product types and brands available.help customers with hair problemshelp customers with hair problemsOffer solutions for or ways to deal with hair problems, such as gray hair, hair loss, hair damage or greasy hair, or scalp problems such as dandruff or psoriasis.treat facial hairtreat facial hairShape, trim or shave beards and moustaches, using scissors and razors.design hair styledesign hair styleDesign the styles of hair based on the preference of the customer or on the creative vision of the director.issue sales invoicesissue sales invoicesPrepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and...train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...maintain relationship with suppliersmaintain relationship with suppliersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

barber11 shared essential skills hairdresser assistant10 shared essential skills hair removal technician5 shared essential skills personal stylist5 shared essential skills aesthetician4 shared essential skills manicurist4 shared essential skills massage therapist4 shared essential skills masseur/masseuse4 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a hairdresser do?

What skills does a hairdresser need?

A hairdresser needs 17 essential skills, including hair colouring, hair, hair products, style hair, communicate with customers.

Will AI replace hairdresser jobs?

The AI disruption score for hairdresser is 25/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: monitor stock level, issue sales invoices, process payments. Most resilient: style hair, wash hair, treat facial hair.

AI Replacement Risk

25/ 100

Low Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

monitor stock level issue sales invoices process payments

Skills resilient to automation

style hair wash hair treat facial hair

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Quick Facts

SectorSocial Service

ISCO GroupPersonal service workers

Essential Skills17

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