Beauty Salons

Abstract

African American women suffer disproportionately from a wide range of health disparities. This article clarifies how beauty salons can be mobilized at all levels of the social-ecological framework to address disparities in health among African American women. The North Carolina BEAUTY and Health Project is a randomized, controlled intervention trial that takes into account the unique and multilevel features of the beauty salon setting with interventions that address owners, customers, stylists; interactions between customers and stylists; and the salon environment. The authors make explicit the role of the political economy of health theoretical perspective for understanding important factors (social, political, historical, and economic) that should be considered if the goal is to create successful, beauty-salon-based interventions. Despite some important challenges, the authors contend that beauty salons represent a promising setting for maximizing reach, reinforcement, and the impact of public health interventions aimed at addressing health disparities among African American women.

A Literature Synthesis of Health Promotion Research in Salons and Barbershops

“…Historically, salons and barbershops have been instrumental to the economic, political, and social development of their communities. 4 Luque et al’s recent review 5 synthesized the peer-reviewed literature on barbershop-based programs with an aim toward offering lessons learned for researchers and practitioners; however, only 16 articles were abstracted and were limited to studies targeting black men in urban settings. Feasibility and intervention studies were combined, and although training of barbers was reported, there was no assessment of their involvement in the interventions.…”

Feasibility of Utilizing Ethnic Beauty Salons for Cervical Cancer Screening Education

“…These findings also suggest that cosmetologists can be utilized as potential lay health educators to deliver cervical cancer-related information to their customers. Although none of the cosmetologists in the current study reported that taking extra time to learn about cervical cancer-related material and provide it to their customers was difficult, previous studies showed that it was challenging due to their busy work schedules (Linnan & Ferguson, 2007; Linnan et al, 2012). Besides, cosmetologists in the current study indicated that they most preferred to learn about cervical cancer by watching videos and having one-on-on conversations with health care experts.…”

“…Although we were not able to ascertain whether the health-related information shared between cosmetologists and customers was accurate (or scientifically sound), these patterns of communication indicate that cosmetologists can play an essential role as navigators for their customers seeking health-related resources or guidance related to health care services and as mediators who can disseminate health-related information among their own customers. Previous studies provide support to the view that beauty salons are places where cosmetologists can openly talk with their customers about many subjects, including health, and are in a position to play the role of helpers who can assist their customers and facilitate referrals to appropriate health agencies (Linnan & Ferguson, 2007; Linnan et al, 2007, 2012; Sadler et al, 2011). …”

“…Accordingly, many women have already built trusted relationships with their cosmetologists, as well as with other women of the same ethnicity who frequent the beauty salon, and are comfortable sharing many aspects of their everyday lives with them. Importantly, many women seek and receive emotional and social support (e.g., advice, empathy) from their cosmetologists in response to their and their families' health crises (Linnan & Ferguson, 2007; Linnan et al, 2007, 2012). Finally, VAW and KAW may consider the topic of cervical cancer to be a particularly sensitive issue, given that their health-related behaviors are strongly bonded to their unique culture.…”

Exploring Media’s Impact on African American Women’s Healthy Food Habits in Kentucky

“…For instance, Black churches and barber/beauty shops, institutions that are important to this community, have been utilized in order to inform and encourage better health practices (e.g., Hess et al, 2007; Linnan & Ferguson, 2007). Of course, media can also be utilized to provide information regarding healthy food habits.…”