Professional patient-centred care is what counts.

I'm a nursing auxiliary, soon to be degree student, and I have a different hair colour pretty much every week. Like Mary Walls Penney, the nursing home nurse who was confronted about her appearance (Nursing Standard online), I also have tattoos on show. However, I work in a day surgery unit and have never received negative comments about my appearance. Actually, patients often comment on my hair or tattoos; it's usually a nice ice breaker. What matters is being professional and caring.