While we often hear about the joys of being a hairstylist or barber, less is often said about some of the actual hazards of the job—namely chronic pain and injury. What many have failed to realize is that creating incredible hair looks for clients comes at a serious price for hair pros: their health. The truth is that the people who work tirelessly to make us all look good are really suffering behind the scenes.
Each time these talented pros step behind the chair to do a cut, color, trim, fade, or style, they may be wrecking their bodies in the process. The nature of their job requires constant standing for hours on end, rapid and repetitive arm movements for cutting and blow drying, and handling heavy tools—all of which can put physical strain on the legs, back, hands, and wrist. If left unchecked or ignored, these strains can lead to serious injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, herniated discs, pinched nerves, and repetitive strain injury, some of which can require surgery. In worse cases, these injuries can even end your career.
As it stands, current studies have shown that 71% of hairstylists have developed an injury related to their job. As more and more health issues are on the rise amongst hair pros, The Tease felt it was necessary to hear from hairstylists and barbers about the realities of dealing with chronic pain and injury in our industry. Ahead, five hair pros talk about their personal work-related pains and injuries, the things they are doing to prevent future health concerns, what they wish more people knew about chronic pain in the salon industry, and much more.
Shaniqua Pender Duhaney, (@glamourbyshaniqua)
Traveling Hairstylist & Makeup Artist
On the Ways Her Career as a Hairstylist Has Negatively Affected Her Body: “Being a hairstylist has taken a toll on my body. Because I’m standing on my feet for eight or more hours a day, I have developed a herniated disk in my lower back, and now possibly arthritis in my right ankle. And, my back pain has caused neck pain from time to time as well. I started going to a chiropractor a few years ago, but had to stop because of my work schedule.”
On Whether Her Work as a Stylist Has Ever Resulted in a Physical Injury: “My biggest physical injury was a burn I got on my right forearm from my blow dryer. I was blow drying my client’s hair when the blow dryer at the base of the cord suddenly blew a small spark and the spark touched my arm. I stopped blow drying and when I looked at my arm, I had a small bubble of burnt skin. At first, it was really small so I wrapped it, but the following days after the bubble popped, it got infected and spread into a bigger circle with all these small bumps around the burn. I believe it was because I put Vitamin E oil on it. It started itching a lot and I later realized that I might be allergic to Vitamin E oil. It was a mess. I was in a wrap for weeks until it healed.”
On If She’s Ever Had to Step Away From Hairstyling to Seek Treatment for Chronic Pain or an Injury: “The only time I can remember over the past 10 years that I stepped away was when my back gave out two times in the past 3 years. I couldn’t go to work for a few days because I couldn’t stand up straight. Because of that, I went to the doctor to help with the pain. Now, I know the signs when my back is really stressed, so it hasn’t happened again outside of those times.”
On How She Manages Her Pain Between and During Her Salon Appointments: “During my client appointments, I try to sit down as much as possible. I also wear a brace from time to time around my ankle to help with foot and ankle pain and I’ve had to limit how many people I do in a day. So, instead of me doing five or six people in a day, like how I used to work six years ago, the max appointments that I have—depending on the service—is one to four clients a day. And, I don’t double book. I do one client at a time. Between appointments, I try to sit and stretch a little before my next client arrives.”
On Whether She’s Worried About How Long She’ll Be Able to Continue Hairstyling: “In a way, I’m not worried because I don’t plan to be behind the chair forever. I have a goal so I’m trying to set up some things so I don’t have to physically be in the salon anymore. Being behind the chair forever was never my goal. My clients hate it when I say I won’t be in the salon forever, but I know that I can’t be behind the chair for the next 20 years.”
On What She Wishes More People Knew About Chronic Pain Amongst Stylists: “I wish people knew that hairstylists aren’t robots and we can’t work all day and night in the salon like we once did 10+ years ago. A lot of my clients had to adjust to my schedule because some couldn’t understand why I wasn’t taking a weave client at 7pm at night. It takes a toll on our bodies physically and mentally. I would be at the salon past 8 or 9 pm sometimes and my body is paying the price now. Times have changed and the majority of hairstylists don’t take walk-ins anymore because I think we are realizing that we have to have time for ourselves to take care of our bodies, our home, and our mental health. A lot of stylists have families and we need to make our life work for us—not our clients. When we are hurt from working in the salon 24/7, although I have loyal clientele, they will find someone else.
I also wish people knew that being a cosmetologist is an actual career and not a hobby. I know a lot of people look at artists as if we do hair/makeup for fun and they don’t understand that this is our livelihood. Our rates have to reflect that so we can pay our rent, groceries, utilities, savings, etc. So, the same way that someone wants to work for a company, negotiates their salary based on their experience and education, has vacation days, and has sick days, the same goes for hairstylists. Artists can develop herniated discs, carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, arthritis in all parts of their bodies, high blood pressure, and Vitamin D deficiency because we’re indoors most of the day for multiple days, amongst many other things. So, I think people should give professional hairstylists/makeup artists a little grace when it comes to how we schedule our clients and how much we charge for our services.”
Brayden Simpson, (@_braydensimpson)
Barber at Artifact Barber Studio and Portfolio Artist with L’Oreal Professionnel
On the Ways His Career as a Barber Has Negatively Affected His Body: “When I made the switch from hairstylist to barber, I noticed my body position got worse. Bending over to do beard trims and shaves puts a huge strain on my back. I get really focused on what I’m doing and get up super close, and there really isn’t an ergonomic way of doing those services. Throughout my entire career though, the most consistent pain has been in my feet. Standing all day (in not the best footwear) doesn’t bother me until I stop moving, whether it’s on a lunch break or after work when I finally get to sit down.”
On Whether His Work as a Barber Has Ever Resulted in a Physical Injury: “Five years ago, I developed a shoulder injury from work. Any sort of clipper work requires repetitive motions holding a decently weighted machine. In all effort to not put a strain on your wrist, you want to move your arm which in turn puts all that movement on your shoulder. At least I feel like that’s how my injury occurred.”
On What Keeps Him Going Through All the Pain That He Deals With Working as a Barber: “I absolutely love what I do and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. My passion for cutting hair makes it all worth it to me.”
On Whether He’s Worried About How Long He’ll Be Able to Continue Barbering: “Yes and no! I know I don’t want to be working behind the chair 40+ hours a week for the rest of my life. I’m also a Portfolio Artist for L’Oréal Professionnel so I’m working towards dividing my time with clients and educating so it takes some of the stress off of my body.”
On Whether He Thinks There Are Enough Conversations Being Had About Chronic Pain in the Salon Industry: “I don’t think there are enough conversations about chronic pain in our industry. We see the latest innovations for people that sit at desks all day like exercise balls and standing desks, but there isn’t a lot about the ergonomics of being a barber or hairstylist.”
On What He Wishes More People Knew About Chronic Pain Amongst Barbers: “Start the preventative measures right away! It’s been a long time since I went to hair school, but we didn’t learn much about it. It should be taught early on in school or apprenticeships. We have a very physical job and just like doing a workout at the gym, you need to stretch and warm up.”
Laura Acerra, (@lift_lob_love)
Hairstylist Specializing in Dimensional Color and Extensions
On How She Manages Her Pain Between and During Her Salon Appointments: “Being on our feet all day, we tend to lock joints and have tight hips which can lead to lower back pain. We have one arm in the hair for hours on end, blow drying hair and throwing our alignment off. If you’re conscious of these movements, you can correct yourself often (unlocking your joints, frequently switching arms while blow drying, etc.). Taking small steps like this will slowly teach you a better routine for your body.”
On What She’s Doing to Prevent Future Health Concerns: “I make sure to do something for my health daily, whether it’s incorporating stretching, functional strength training, a good night’s sleep, meditation, healthy diet, yoga, visiting a chiropractors, monthly massages, drinking plenty of water, and so on.”
On Whether She Thinks There Are Enough Conversations Being Had About Chronic Pain in the Salon Industry: “I honestly don’t think we talk about pain prevention and proper posture enough in this industry which is why I like to educate in my reels and posts about proper posture and ways to correct yourself while working to prevent future damage. Social media has been a great platform to not only educate, but to motivate and inspire others. I use my channel to not only show the happenings and tips behind the chair, but also a glimpse into my behind the scenes of how I incorporate functional fitness and wellness daily.”
On What She Wishes More People Knew About Chronic Pain Amongst Stylists: “I wish more stylists knew that being preventative will help them in the long run. If you take care of yourself first, you’ll be able to take care of others behind the chair longer.”
Jamie Bagley, (@jamiebhair)
Hairstylist and Salon Owner
On the Ways Her Career as a Hairstylist Has Negatively Affected Her Body: “Twelve years into my hairdressing career, I started having pain in my right hip. Everytime I bent over and came back up it was sharp and breathtaking. After seeing several different doctors and specialists (and a lot of money later), I was diagnosed with a degenerative hip with a labrum tear. As a tall woman (6’0) working in a short person salon, I eventually had to open my own salon where the stations were elevated to fit me and prevent me from bending down so much.”
On Whether Her Work as a Stylist Has Ever Resulted in a Physical Injury: “A few years later, I started having pain in my right shoulder. My doctor told me that it was a repetitive stress injury likely linked with the mild scoliosis in my back and my hip injury. With all the standing and repetitive motion my body was over compensating.”
On What She’s Doing to Prevent Future Health Concerns: “When I was diagnosed with my hip injury, my doctor gave me a shot of cortisol and told me to keep my weight down and start doing yoga/pilates. The cortisol shot helped me and I started physical therapy and private pilates classes. Actually, working in my own salon that was built for me was when I really noticed my pain started to subside. I’ve had flair-ups since and Advil, along with constant yoga, helps to get me through. As for my shoulder, I have a good chiropractor and do yoga stretches everyday. It’s a constant bother. If I don’t keep up with yoga it gets too painful to work and I have to take longer breaks. If I work a long day, my right shoulder and body are beat. I can’t afford to take days off. I’m now noticing my left shoulder having issues from the overcompensation.”
On Whether She’s Worried About How Long She’ll Be Able to Continue Hairstyling: “I’ve been a hairdresser for 26 years now and working full time is not going to last for much longer. Over the pandemic shutdown, my injuries actually felt better and had time to rest. Now that I’m fully back in the swing, I feel my body is tired. My chiropractor and yoga is keeping me afloat, but I have to make some changes.”
On If She’s Ever Considered Giving Up Hairstyling: “I’m currently certified to be a nutrition coach and building my business. My plan is to start gaining clients slowly and eventually cut back on hair. I’d like to do both hair and coaching. I think nutrition coaching is a positive physical career intertwined with hairdressing a couple days a week. Any more than that and I’m afraid that hairdressing is going to cause a shoulder replacement, if it hasn’t already.”
On Whether She Thinks There Are Enough Conversations Being Had About Chronic Pain in the Salon Industry: “In my opinion, it should be said in beauty school that hairdressing has an expiration date of 10-15 years depending on your body and physical nuisances. I think that beauty school, or after-school training should teach body awareness and centering your body for preventive measures against carpal tunnel, arthritis, and other chronic pain issues, as well as to keep some physical exercise/yoga/pilates in your daily regime as a professional. It’s key to keep going and not to wait till you’re in need.”
Jennifer Slim, (@thejenniferslim)
Hairstylist Specializing in High Contrast Blonding and Extensions
On the Ways Her Career as a Hairstylist Has Negatively Affected Her Body: “Being a hairstylist for seven years, my career has caused a lot of neck, shoulders, and back tension. Being right-hand dominant, I’ve had a lot of wrist pains, tense fingers from time to time, and tennis elbow. Also, standing frequently has caused knee and hip pain.”
On How She Manages Her Pain Between and During Her Salon Appointments: “During appointments I sit when I can, such as when I’m balayaging or even cutting. I also will take breaks during my color appointments so even if I’m in the middle of a color application, I’ll stop and refill my water or grab a snack to give myself a break.”
On Whether She’s Worried About How Long She’ll Be Able to Continue Hairstyling: “I worry everyday how long I can sustain being a hairstylist. With the amount of physical work that goes into my color appointments, it is taxing on my mind and body.”
On If She’s Ever Considered Giving Up Hairstyling: “I’ve considered giving up being a hairstylist many times. I’ve even been close to finishing another degree. At the end of the day, I didn’t want to give up on myself. I know I love being a hairstylist and I need to find balance.”
On Whether She Thinks There Are Enough Conversations Being Had About Chronic Pain in the Salon Industry: “I actually don’t feel like there are enough conversations about chronic pain in our industry. I remember someone told me they want to come to me as a client but said I talked about my chronic pain a lot and it really shocked me. As if I’m offering a luxury service, I had to act and talk like a robot. It was discouraging, but I do feel like nowadays people are talking about it more. Not as much as it should be voiced, but definitely more than it was back then.”
On What She Wishes More People Knew About Chronic Pain Amongst Stylists: “I wish people knew that chronic pain doesn’t just affect us physically, but also mentally. We as hairstylists love to give our clients the best, but our body and mind can only do so much. Don’t be hard on your hairstylist when they need a break. When your hairstylist isn’t feeling 100% given them that day of rest. We all as humans need that.”
