Hairdressers are particularly prone to suffering from painful skin conditions due to hazards in a hair salon caused by prolonged exposure to water and chemical hair products. Dry and itchy skin is something many hairdressers and barbers endure, including the most common conditions: eczema, dermatitis and allergic reactions.
Commonly caused by hair dyes, perming solutions and cleaning agents; up to 70% of UK stylists suffer skin damage during their career, according to workplace health watchdog the Health and Safety Executive. When the skin is continually in water, it can cause further irritation.
Eczema
Eczema on the hands is particularly problematic for hairdressers, as constantly being in contact with water can cause this painful skin irritation.
Surveys show 40% of hairdressers have eczema, which starts with the skin becoming red and itchy. The most severe symptoms include blistered, flaky and cracked skin and open cuts so painful that it’s hard to bend the fingers, making it difficult to work.
Doctors might advise to stop working until the skin’s condition improves but this isn’t an option for many hairdressers, as around 65% are self-employed in the UK, so they’re not earning if they can’t work.
Consider health and safety in a hair salon and take preventative measures, rather than waiting for eczema to break out. If you have sore skin already, make an appointment with a dermatologist for allergy tests to find out whether a specific substance is responsible and try to avoid contact with it in future.
Then complete a course of treatment prescribed by a health professional, such as corticosteroid ointment, moisturising cream and prednisone anti-inflammatory tablets.
Once your hands are feeling better and you return to work, wear protective gloves for the hair and beauty sector to prevent future outbreaks. Eczema is a particularly painful condition, but it shouldn’t mean the end of your career. With the appropriate treatment and protection, it’s possible to carry on working.
Dermatitis
Exposure to water and hair products contributes to dermatitis. A skin condition suffered by around 50% of hairdressers within three years of starting their career; it causes dry, cracked skin and inflammation of the hands. There are two types: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.
The irritant contact variant occurs due to repeated contact with common hairdressing chemicals such as bleach, hair dye, treatments and shampoos. Constantly wet hands and the friction of hairdressing tools can also contribute to the problem.
Allergic contact dermatitis is due to an allergy to a specific substance when you’re handling it repeatedly. This can include hair dye or perming solution, for example. It can take months or years to develop.
One common cause is an allergy to paraphenylenediamine, known as PPD - an ingredient found in hair dye. Other potentially hazardous substances include bleaches such as hydrogen peroxide and ammonium persulfate, and glyceryl monothioglycolate which is found in acid perming solutions.
If you already suffer from dermatitis, seek medical help to find a cure. To prevent future outbreaks, wear protective disposable nitrile gloves and keep your hands moisturised. Check your skin regularly for signs of an outbreak and treat immediately.
Allergic reactions
Hairdressers are prone to allergic skin reactions as a result of their constant exposure to all kinds of products and substances. Symptoms vary in severity and can start with itchy palms, either immediately after using a particular substance, or several hours afterwards.
A rash can follow, or red, itchy lumps on the skin, known as hives. Other symptoms can include blisters and a stinging or burning sensation. If you suffer any discomfort, especially if it looks infected, or impacts your daily activities and sleep, seek medical attention.
The NHS has produced a guide for hair stylists to reduce the risks of allergic reactions, including using nickel-free tools such as scissors and removing jewellery at work, as this can exacerbate the reaction.
Some salon treatments carry a higher risk than others.
Why hairdressers should wear gloves
The NHS also advises taking preventative measures, such as wearing nitrile gloves as a barrier against coming into contact with hair styling products. A popular choice for salons, they are made of synthetic rubber and are resistant to the chemicals found in hair treatments such as bleach and dyes.
They are also durable and have a high level of puncture resistance. They also provide a viable option for people who have a latex allergy, as they are latex-free. Their textured surface provides excellent grip, enabling precise work, and they can help prevent the spread of bacteria and provide a clean working environment.
Other suitable gloves that can be worn by salon staff include latex gloves, which are comfortable and offer a snug fit with a “second skin” feeling. Enabling superior dexterity, they protect against chemicals such as hair styling and cleaning products, including detergents.
Another option is vinyl gloves, an alternative to latex. A particularly cost-effective choice, they are resistant to many substances, including hair dye. They can also protect against punctures from sharp objects such as razors and scissors.
Wear gloves when preparing, mixing, applying and rinsing out products such as perming solution, hair dye and bleach; when shampooing/conditioning hair; to wash out mixing bowls and other tools; and when cleaning the salon. Throw disposable gloves away after use and don’t wash and reuse them. Keep your skin well moisturised at all times.
What musculoskeletal disorders do hairdressers suffer?
It’s not only chemicals that can affect hairdressers, as they’re also at risk from musculoskeletal disorders due to the long hours of standing and repetitive motions they carry out. The most common is back pain, experienced by around two-thirds of hairdressers at some time.
The second most common ailment, MSD (neck ache) is suffered by around 50% of hairdressers. Carpal tunnel syndrome is experienced by 42% of stylists due to the repetitive motions carried out every day.
Respiratory issues are also common among hairdressers due to working in environments where airborne chemicals are prevalent, leading to asthma-like symptoms or respiratory irritation. Symptoms including wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and a tight chest have been experienced by 33% of hairdressers, with 20% having left the industry as a result.
The physical demands of hairdressing can also impact mental health and overall well-being, with 20% of salon workers in the UK reporting they have experienced work-related anxiety and stress at some point.
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