Did you know that working in hairdressing can lead to some common injuries such as hair splinters, RSI and podiatric issues? Here, we break down what exactly this means, and share how you can avoid common injuries…
Remember, you should always consult a doctor or other medical professional for medical advice.
Hair Splinters
From ‘can hair splinters cause infections’ to ‘will a hair splinter go away’, we'll answer all your questions on this pesky salon injury…
Hair splinters occur when a small strand of hair becomes embedded into the skin and usually remains there until they are removed.
Unfortunately cutting hair on a daily basis means hair splinters are pretty much inevitable. They can cause discomfort and even pain, however the real risk posed is the possibility of infection, which is why it’s important to remove them as quickly (and cleanly) as possible. This means while it may be possible for a hair splinter to go away on its own, it’s best to take matters into your own hands and remove the hair with a tweezer. You can find out more about this here.
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Repetitive strain injury (often abbreviated to RSI) is a term sometimes used for pain caused by repeated movement of a certain part of the body. RSI can occur in many parts of the body, however the most commonly affected areas are: hands and fingers, forearms and wrists, shoulders and elbows.
RSI is not a type of arthritis – which is a common misconception. However, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a type of RSI. Specifically, CTS is a condition that causes pain and compression to the median nerve in the wrist. CTS is particularly common among hairdressers, but there are a few things you can do to help minimise this – just click here to find out more.
In addition to RSI, some hairdressers may experience more minor aches and joint pains. You can find some great stretches to help minimise and relieve these pains here.
Plantar Fasciitis
Working long hours on your feet, hairdressers are at a high risk of experiencing podiatric (feet) issues, with plantar fasciitis being one of the most common. Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the part of your foot that connects your heel to your toes. If you’re asking yourself ‘how do I know if I’m suffering from plantar fasciitis’, it’s worth taking note what times of the day you’re experiencing pain in your feet – plantar fasciitis often leads to pain that is much worse after sleeping or resting, and may ease during exercise, only to return after.
How can you ease foot pain such as plantar fasciitis? Common treatments include ice packs and comfortable shoes, however if the pain does not get better, it is recommended that you speak to your GP.
Burns from Hot Tools such as Hair Straighteners and Curling Wands
Most burns caused from hair tools are first degree burns, which means only the outer layer of the skin is damaged. As such, these burns are likely to heal in a few days to weeks.
To reduce the healing time of a burn, it’s important to follow the correct steps as immediately to the incident as possible: cool the burn immediately with cool or lukewarm water for about 10 minutes, or until the pain lessens. You should avoid using cold/ice water as this can decrease blood flow to the burn, which can in turn reverse the healing process.
Following this, it is recommended to cover the burn with clingfilm; not only will this keep the burn clean and prevent infection, but it can reduce pain by keeping air from the burns surface. You may experience blisters after a burn; this is normal, as blisters are a natural, protective response from out body. You should refrain from bursting any blisters, as this can lead to infection.
Chemical Burns from Bleach or Hair Colour
The NHS recommends visiting A&E if you experience any chemical burns.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin, which most often affects the hands. As hairdressers experience regular contact with dyes, tints, bleach and perm solutions, plus cleaning products, it may not be surprising to hear that up to 60% of hairdressers will develop dermatitis at some point.
There are three types of dermatitis (which the NHS explains in detail here) but there are some simple, universal steps you can take to help protect your hands. For example, always use vinyl or PVC disposable gloves when handling chemicals (you must not wash or reuse gloves), wash your hands gently with soft soap in between using any products that might cause irritation, and moisturise your skin morning and night.
Back and Neck Pain
Working on your feet all day, dealing with clients of different heights, while offering a rannge of services – it's no surprise that many hairdressers fall victim to back and neck pain. Here, Sam Villa Ambassador, Justin Michael Parra, stylist at La Bella Salon & Beauty Lounge, offers tips on how to master the correct body positioning when blow drying.
Justin says: "The reason correct body positioning is so important is because when we’re working behind the chair, we’re overworking some muscles while neglecting others and that’s what causes problems."
Correct Body Positioning for Blow Drying Hair
Guest Chair: Move the guest’s chair up or down depending on the height of their head and the services. The goal is to keep the arm in a an “L” position from shoulder to hand. This position reduces stress caused by having to lift the shoulders. Clipper cuts require a higher position while longer hair that requires elevation will involve a lower position.
Head and Neck: Don’t tilt your head side to side to look at hair; keep your head balanced, shoulders down and rotate shoulders left and right to view areas. This reduces stress on neck muscles.
Blow Dryer Nozzle: Move the position of a blow dryer nozzle to direct air flow versus contorting arms to redirect the air. Elbows should always be in a downward position to reduce stress on shoulders.
Stance: Do not plant feet and bend the rest of the body. Feet should be moving regularly to adjust weight, especially to offset holding a tool. Positioning one leg back and leaning in takes a lot of weight off the lower back. Engage the core muscles so the back muscles are not strained, and keep knees bend to distribute weight evenly. And always stand in front of each section to minimize strain.
