Having your hair washed at a salon is, for most people, a welcome moment of relaxation.
But one doctor has warned customers that, if they’re not careful, a hair wash could trigger a life-threatening stroke.
Dr Arun Naik, a consultant neurosurgeon based in India, has taken to his Instagram page to flag the dangers of bending your neck too far back over the sink.
The awkward positioning can compress or damage arteries in the neck, he explained, which can constrict the supply of blood to the brain.
In less severe cases, this could trigger unpleasant sensations like dizziness, blurred vision, numbness, slurred speech.
But if the arteries are squashed for a longer period of time, it can lead to a deadly stroke, Dr Naik told his 52,000 followers.
‘People with high blood pressure, diabetes or a history of neck issues are more at risk’, he added.
Doctors have coined the phenomenon ‘beauty parlour stroke syndrome’ — with the first case reported in the US in 1993.
Since then, several examples have been documented in the medical literature, including one 50-year-old woman who’s ‘beauty parlour stroke’ was initially mistaken for a gut problem.
Mother-of-two Adele Burns, from Glasgow, suffered a stroke at a beauty salon in 2016 after a colouring treatment required her hair to be washed six times. She was left unable to speak, see or move for 24 hours.
In another case, Elizabeth Smith, from San Diego, claimed she suffered a stroke because neither the bowl nor the chair were adjusted for her small frame, causing her neck to become overextended.
Those who frequent the hair salon should keep in mind key tips that will prevent ‘beauty parlour stroke syndrome’, Dr Naik advised.
Firstly, ensure your neck is adequately supported when resting it over the sink at a salon.
Dr Naik suggested asking for a towel or cushion to place under your neck to prevent the neck from leaning too far back and ‘hyperextending’.
Adjusting the salon chair or lowering the height of the sink so your neck isn’t stretched too far backwards, can also help.
Another vital tip is to simply take breaks. Dr Naik suggested changing positions to relive tension in the neck.
But you should also be aware of the symptoms of stroke — sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion, blurred vision, dizziness and a headache.
If you experience any of these unusual symptoms during or after a hair wash, notify the stylist and seek medical attention immediately.
Dr Arun Naik, a neurosurgeon based in India, suggests asking for a towel or cushion to place under your neck to prevent the neck from leaning too far back and avoid ‘hyperextension’
Stroke symptoms are commonly remembered under this four-letter acronym, FAST. Patients experiencing a stroke can often have their face drop on one side, struggle to lift both arms and have slurred speech, while time is essential, as immediate treatment for a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke can substantially slash the risk of a much deadlier major stroke
Dr Naik added that if you have a history of neck or vascular issues, you should let the salon staff know and consider opting for alternative hair washing techniques, such as using a handheld sprayer while sitting upright.
Strokes affect more than 100,000 Britons every year, and claim 38,000 lives.
This makes it the UK’s fourth biggest killer and a leading cause of disability.
Almost 800,000 people in the US are struck down each year, causing 137,000 deaths.
The problem occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, killing brain cells.
The damage can lead to long-term disability, affect how people think and feel and, in the worst cases, prove deadly.
