Musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs can arise from repeated repetitive strain or movement or awkward posture. Hairdressing is one of the industries heavily affected by the condition and it’s hoped the new app and a campaign targeting hairdressers will help the industry prevent and fight the disorder

Hairdressers across the UK are being targeted in a campaign aimed to prevent the onset of Musculoskeletal Disorders in workers.

Hairdressing is one of the industries most affected by the condition, with standing for long periods of time, repetitive gestures and bad posture while blow drying and shampooing, blamed for a host of medical conditions such as severe back and neck pain and carpal tunnel syndrome affecting the hands and wrists. In the US alone it is estimated that twenty billion dollars is lost due to absenteeism and financial compensation.

As the worldwide industry leader, L’Oréal Professionnel have been working with the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health to help the world’s 7 million hairdressers prevent and fight Musculoskeletal Disorders, which account for 75% of the profession’s health issues.

The announcement was made at the largest European gathering of hair industry elite for the brand, attended by 2,200 hairdressers from over 50 countries, with the aim of raising the standard and working conditions of the global hairdressing Industry.
Beyond the significant financial implications, research suggests musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can lead to hair stylists having to retire up to a decade early.

The programme, L’Oréal Professionnel With You Against MSDs, aims to train hairdressers and provide them with a 15-minute daily exercise regimen to prevent and fight the disease in the workplace. It was developed in partnership with the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health, an international network of 1000 professionals including scientists, physicians and osteopaths across 100 countries. Since its launch in 2015, over 100 000 hairdressers have been trained.

Also developed in partnership with the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health, the new free to access app, “15 Coach” announced at the event, hopes to reach all 7 million hairstylists worldwide, in addition to their commitment to train all 1,000,000 L’Oréal Professionnel partners by 2018.