High-school is a time for many students to find their identity, whether it be through fashion, music taste or hairstyle. The coronavirus quarantine provided a time for many people, young and old, to experiment with their hairstyle since they were not going to school or work. Even over the summers, many students dye their hair, as being out of school gives them the freedom to do so. However, this important form of self-expression should be expanded to throughout the school year. By allowing students to dye their hair, it promotes a healthy environment in which students can express their identity. It additionally helps peers to learn more about others by being able to see their classmates as they would like to be seen. 

Hair dying has always been a popular trend among teens, but recently, it has increased in popularity as more students were not going out as much and could not get their hair styled professionally due to lockdowns. All over Tiktok, teens were dying their hair bright colors and creating new hair trends. However, these trends did not end as people began to return to their normal lives, as the growing popularity of hair dying has encouraged people to use this as a way of self-expression. Allowing students to dye their hair helps build confidence and promote unique styles. It also fosters bonds between peers because they may find a common interest over their passion for hair styling and expression. 

“For me, I dyed my hair pink this summer and went to school with a faded pink hue,” senior Emma Messer said. “It was not as bold as I would have wanted it to be, but I still enjoyed having that little speck of individuality.”

Messer’s hair right after dying it pink

Once students go to college, the limitations of dress are removed, and students will be exposed to people with varying types of style. It is up to the student to stay focused in their learning environment despite the presence of classmates who may have extravagant hair colors. This also can be applied in the high school classroom, in that it is the responsibility of the student to not be distracted by other students’ appearances, and if that person cannot stay focused, it should not be the fault of the student choosing to express themself. High school students are not far from reaching college, so they should be held to the same expectations that they will face in college and environments of higher learning. 

“Right now, dyed hair at school is seen as a distraction,” Messer said. “However, I think we are mature enough to pay attention in class instead of at someone’s hair.”

Messer after dying her hair pink

In recent times, the workplace has also become more accepting of unnatural hair colors. This taboo has started to become outdated, as many managers are saying that it is becoming more accepted in the office. In a recent study by the company Accountemps, it was found that over 90 percent of managers feel workplaces have become less formal than they were 10 years ago. In the same study, 34 percent of managers expressed that non-traditional hair colors used to be unacceptable in the workplace but now are, while only 23 percent feel that it continues to be unacceptable. As workplaces are adjusting to new societal standards, it also feels fitting that schools should reflect these changes in society and the workplace to be more current. 

By allowing high school students to dye their hair, it creates an environment where students will feel more free to embrace the unique parts of themselves. It proves harmful to students’ self-esteem and individuality when they are not able to express their style or identity, even if it is just as simple as hair style. It also gives students the opportunity to show their true personality to their classmates who may not know them as well. The trend of hair dying should be embraced among high school communities as societal standards are changing to fit this new form of self-expression.