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Overview of typical hairdressing risk factors

ActivityProductsCan lead to inflammationsCan cause allergiesAppropriate skin- protection measures

Hairwashing, Hair care, Hairstyling

Shampoo, Rinse, Conditioner, Tonic, Hair gel, Hair wax

yes

yes

Long-cuff; Single-use-gloves

Colouring agents

Oxidation agents, Bleach, Blonding agents

yes

yes

Single-use gloves

Perms

Perming liquid

yes

yes

Single-use gloves

Hair straightening

Brazilian Straightening

yes (with "Brazilian Straightening" also severe burns and cancer risk)

yes

Single-use gloves; Do not use "Brazilian Straightening", extremely dangerous to your health!

Cleaning

Cleaning agents

yes

yes

Reusable gloves

Contact to work devices

e.g. scissors and shavers

no

yes

Use of nickel-free tools

Skin protection

Protective gloves

no

yes

Use of latex- and accelerator-free gloves

Skin protectionSkin protection preparations, skin cleaning agents, skincare creams, skin protection creamsyesyesLow-allergen preparations without perfumes, artifical colours or preservatives, mild ph-skin-neutral skin cleansers (syndets)

Hair cutting

Hair

yes

(yes, with colouring residue on the hair)

Arm protectors and closed shoes

There are some people that have a genetic oversensitivity of the skin and mucous membranes to natural substances (atopy). This can be bronchially manifested in conditions such as neurodermatitis (or atopic dermatitis), hay fever, or allergic asthma. These so-called “atopics” have far more sensitive skin. The above-named “outer” risk factors can more easily harm the skin in such cases, and can more easily produce occupational skin diseases than in “non-atopics”.   

Atopics who work as hairdressers should pay particularly close attention to their own skin, and should protect and care for it diligently.