If you are a hairstylist, you know how much your hand hurts every day. Sometimes your arms, wrists, and hands hurt so much that it becomes difficult to do other tasks at home. Perhaps you know it’s necessary to take a break in between works. But, hairdressing is such an intense profession that it might be hard to take care of yourself. So, why did this happen? Generally, hairstylist hand pain is called carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s a painful disorder that affects the hand and is caused by repetitive motion injuries. Also, you can say, overuse injuries in hairdressers. So, how do hairdressers not get carpal tunnel?
A modern survey in 2014 showed that 15% of salon professionals are already dealing with carpel tunnel syndrome. Other 35% of professionals tend to get this problem in the future. So, our guide will tell you everything you need to know about carpal tunnel syndrome, significantly, how to protect your hands from injury at work.
Do Hairdressers Get Carpal Tunnel?
We know hair stylists who work in salons and have their hands used in scissors all day long. So, we have always wondered if hairdressers get carpal tunnel. The question comes up a lot when talking about injuries that people suffer from at the workplace.
If you do any handwork for your job, whether it’s writing or typing, or even playing guitar professionally, then you’re going to be more susceptible to developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition. It’s pressure on the median nerve as it travels through the wrist area, resulting in pain, numbness, and tingling sensations. It can spread over the arms, such as fingers and thumb. In some cases, this could lead to muscle weakness.
Hairdressers seem to be at high risk for carpal tunnel, still in danger of developing hand problems due to the overuse and stress on their hands. It is a type of hairstylist hand problem.
Now let’s see how hairdressers do not get carpal tunnel.
How Do Hairdressers Not Get Carpal Tunnel?
Although there are several ways not to get carpal tunnel problems here, we mainly mention using scissors. As scissor is the most important tool, the CTS problem will hopefully reduce if they can maintain a high-quality pair of scissors. How can they do this?
- Instead of blunt blades, a hairdresser can use a sharp scissor. Usually, blunt blades are not that sharp and require more effort to cut the hair.
- At least once a year, you should sharpen the scissors.
- Usually, offset scissors are comfortable to use, but it depends on the individual. But ensure that the hairstylist should feel comfortable while using it.
- Instead of heavy or lightweight, balanced weight scissors are preferable. It will not put unnecessary stress on the hand and wrist.
- Careful while using scissors, whether they are properly working or not. If not, don’t just over-tighten the screws. Better you need a servicing.
Sometimes if the scissors are ok, also we can see hairstylist tendonitis is affected in CTS problem. Let’s see how this can happen?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Hair Stylists
For a hairstylist, hands and other parts of the body can be affected by carpal tunnel syndrome. As they become very busy with consultations, haircuts, hair color, blowing, drying, styling hair all day, their other parts of the body are prone to be affected by this syndrome. Such as:
- Neck and back
- Elbows
- Forearms
- Shoulders
- And wrists/hands, of course.
What are the signs a hairstylist can face when he gets a CTS problem?
- Tingling, burning, or itching in the palm
- Restless hand
- Fingers feeling swollen
- Decreased grip strength
- Clumsiness and numbness
- Weakness in the hands or forearms
- Chronic cold hands
It seems the symptoms are similar to arthritis. But are hairdressers prone to arthritis?
Are Hairdressers Prone to Arthritis?
Did you know that hairdressers are three times more likely to suffer from arthritis than the average person? It can be due to repetitive movements, chemicals, and constant hand washing. Arthritis is a condition in which inflammation or injury leads to pain in one or more joints. People who work with their hands must take steps to protect themselves from this debilitating disease.
Research showed that hairdressers have a higher prevalence rate of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OA is most commonly seen among the ages 40-60 years old. RA affects women between 30-40 years old. It attributes to exposure to hand microtrauma due to repetitive work-related activities such as shampooing and cutting hairs.
Now it’s a question of how to prevent carpal tunnel as a hairdresser?
How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel as a Hairdresser? Or How Do Hair Stylists Take Care of Their Hands?
- To prevent carpal tunnel, the best thing is to train your hands and wrists. This way, you will be able to strengthen them. Also, you can prevent this by avoiding repetitive movements that can cause pain in the long term.
- For example, it would also help if you regularly change positions while working at a salon with scissors when doing haircuts. It would help if you gave yourself short breaks between tasks that require high-intensity effort on your hands. This way, Your fingers won’t get tired too quickly over time.
- When it comes to standing up instead of sitting down all day, this could work in favor because standing may give blood circulation more opportunity than sitting does. It also helps to faster recovery after intensive use.
- In addition, when using machinery at work, like hairdryers, always use protective gear on hands and arms. Like this, it will add another line of defense between harmful elements and skin. Also, don’t forget to take breaks from time to time during intense activity with machines. In this way, muscles around joints won’t get tired out so easily.
- Also, it’s a good idea to stretch out fingers during work break times. Particularly in-between haircuts using salon equipment. Doing so will give muscles more opportunity to tone down their tension levels. It means less adrenaline rush along with better blood flow in the fingers.
Yet, can you do hair if you have a carpal tunnel problem?
Can You Do Hair with Carpal Tunnel?
CTS problem manifests in pain and tingling sensations on the hand. It can progress into numbness if left untreated for too long. So, if you are a hairstylist, you should ask your doctor if it’s okay to work in a salon and dye hair work.
If they give the green light, make sure to take extra special care of yourself during this time.
First, find a good moisturizer or Coconut Oil and apply as needed throughout the day. Keep up on self-care (like taking breaks).
You may need help from someone to buy gloves. It’s good to use because this will protect your hands from direct pressure. At home, you can also use gloves for washing dishes and doing laundry work.
Finally, you can use different certified carpal tunnel brace if you observe hairdressing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Why Do Hairdressers Get Carpal Tunnel?
Unfortunately, hairdressers or barber’s professions are like to get a high incidence of CTS. It happens for many reasons. One of the primary reasons is they build repetitive stress on their hands and wrists. It makes the hand soft tissue fatigue and eventually creates carpal tunnel syndrome with heavy pain and numbness.
Not only hairdressers but any other cosmetology field profession people can get this problem. Such as CTS are common in make-up artists, beauticians, estheticians, etc.
So if you think about why my wrist hurts as a hairdresser, you will get a clearer answer.
Why Does My Wrist Hurt as a Hairdresser?
It is very common for hairdressers to complain about their wrist hurting. It happens because of a longer period of working time. Especially when you have your hands in the same position while cutting someone’s hair; also, it can be due to repetitive movement. Even it can happen simply trying too hard and pushing through the pain instead of stopping.
Do Barbers Get Carpal Tunnel?
It turns out that not all professions are equally at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, barbers and hairdressers generally do NOT get it as often as people who work with their hands (like factory workers).
But if you look at the occupations where CTS is very common, hairdressers might be more likely than average. Also, researchers think it could just be because these jobs tend to involve lots of repetitive works.
Even though barbers don’t use their hands as much as other people, there is still some risk. Because they often stand for long hours at work and do physical labor like carrying heavy things around.
The tips and tricks are designed to help you keep your hands in good shape while working with your hair. Whether you work as a hairstylist or not, these hand care guidelines help reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
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