Hair Care Professionals as Community Health Partners in Detection and Management of Alopecia: A Pilot Survey Study.

BACKGROUND

Alopecia is one of the most common diagnoses encountered by dermatologists; despite this, patients with hair loss often seek help from hair stylists prior to seeing a physician.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this pilot survey study was to investigate hair stylists as hair loss community health partners and identify how dermatologists can potentially play a key role in cosmetology education.

STUDY-DESIGN: Twenty-four New York City hair stylists completed a novel 23-item survey via email.

RESULTS

When encountering hair loss in clients, stylists not formally educated about alopecia reported initially recommending their clients see a dermatologist, while those who were taught on the subject reported first recommending over the counter products as treatment. Hair stylists with alopecia training were equally as likely as those without alopecia training to believe hair styling practices do not contribute to hair loss.

CONCLUSION

Our data support the need for integrated dermatologic training in cosmetology schools, particularly in the area of hair loss, with combined support of established hair instructors and dermatologists. Developing a brief curriculum regarding the fundamentals of alopecia etiology, diagnostics and therapeutics could equip hair stylists with useful evidence-based information they can use to help their clientele prevent and detect early stages of hair loss. By doing so, we can increase accessibility to quality hair care in the community and therefore streamline the process of alopecia patients getting the medical care they need. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(8): 908-910. doi:10.36849/JDD.5643.