DANGERS LURKING IN BEAUTY PARLOUR AND IN BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Beauty parlour stroke syndrome can arise from overstretching of the neck in various contexts, including dental settings, chiropractic treatments, and certain yoga poses.

- DR P.S. VENKATESH RAO

The terms "beauty parlour/centre/shop" and "beauty salon" are used interchangeably, but are of British and French origins respectively, and have minor differences in meaning. To most people, a beauty parlour or salon is an establishment that provides cosmetic and grooming services to enhance personal appearance, such as haircuts, hair colouring, styling, perms, manicures, pedicures, threading, waxing, facials, and makeup application, and may have a cosmetic studio with comprehensive beauty treatments, a tattoo studio, and a cosmetics and fashion retail shop.

BEAUTY PARLOUR STROKE SYNDROME: Dr. Michael Weintraub coined this term in 1993, in an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, after he studied five women who developed vertigo and stroke-like neurological symptoms after their shampoo sessions at hair salons. It is caused by excessive straightening (hyperextension) of the neck, compressing the blood vessels (vertebral arteries) that supply the lower part of the brain, thereby depriving it of blood supply. The brain is metabolically very active, requiring a huge amount of energy, making it extremely sensitive to a lack of oxygen and blood flow. An interruption of blood flow to the brain for over 10 seconds can cause unconsciousness, and after a few minutes, permanent brain damage. This is why a stroke has to be treated within minutes to avoid permanent damage. Employees of beauty salons, barbers, and hairdressers should be educated about this syndrome during vocational training, so that they do not overextend the client's neck. This syndrome can arise from overstretching of the neck in various contexts, including dental settings, chiropractic treatments, and certain yoga poses.