Salon to Skin: How Dermatologists and Hair Stylists Can Work Together
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Any views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and/or participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, policy, or position of The Dermatologist or HMP Global, their employees, and affiliates.
Hair can be a source of identity and self-expression. It can have both cultural and social significance, as well as a substantial effect on a person’s confidence and mental health, both good and bad. And psoriasis can affect this area significantly. It is estimated that 45% to 56% of patients living with psoriasis have scalp psoriasis,1 which can affect the scalp, hairline, forehead, back of neck, and skin around the ears. Scalp psoriasis is considered a high-impact site, along with the face, genitals, flexures, hands, feet, and nails, and is associated with worse quality of life.
The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) is collaborating with the S.T.R.A.N.D. Network, which brings hair stylists and medical dermatology together, to help bring awareness to scalp health and scalp psoriasis. Additionally, through a funding partnership with Eli Lilly and Company’s “Milestones to Meaning” grant, NPF is working with members of the hair care and dermatology communities, including S.T.R.A.N.D., to create best practices that support their relationships. We sat down with S.T.R.A.N.D. Network founder Dr Chesahna Kindred to learn more about scalp health and how the S.T.R.A.N.D. Network is helping patients.
NPF: What is the S.T.R.A.N.D. Network?
Dr Kindred: S.T.R.A.N.D. stands for Stylists Training, Researching, and Networking with Dermatologists. It is an organization designed to bridge the gap between beauty and medicine by connecting hair stylists with board-certified dermatologists who specialize in hair and scalp disorders, particularly hair loss. This year, we expanded the initiative to include an esthetician arm, further extending our reach in the beauty and wellness industry.
NPF: How and why did you come up with the idea for this network?
Dr Kindred: I am proud to be the first dermatologist in the United States to have a full-service, in-house salon within a dermatology practice. The inspiration for S.T.R.A.N.D. came from Susan Peterkin, a stylist in our salon who became increasingly frustrated by the misinformation circulating within the beauty industry. She approached me with a request: could I help educate stylists on hair and scalp disorders directly from a medical perspective? At the time, it was common for stylists to take short courses— sometimes just 3 hours to a few days—taught by other stylists. These courses often ended with a certificate, a white coat, and the perception that they were medically trained. I have personally seen patients who believed they were consulting with a hair specialist, only to find out later it was a stylist working far outside their scope. This trend was not only misleading but potentially harmful. Susan and I knew we needed to change that narrative. This is how the S.T.R.A.N.D. Network was born.
NPF: Hair loss can be tough to navigate. What are the best ways hair care and medical professionals can collaborate?
Dr Kindred: Hair care professionals and dermatologists are natural allies. S.T.R.A.N.D.-certified stylists are trained to recognize when a client should be referred to a dermatologist. They are also equipped to integrate dermatologist-recommended scalp treatments into hair care routines and reinforce medical advice during regular visits. Beyond dermatology, hair care professionals can play a powerful role in public health. They can help disseminate information into the community, spark conversations about screenings, and even be trained to perform basic health checks like blood pressure screening.
NPF: What are you most looking forward to in working with NPF on this important venture?
Dr Kindred: NPF is such a dynamic and impactful organization. I believe our collaboration will lead to outcomes beyond what I can even imagine right now. I am particularly excited about how S.T.R.A.N.D. stylists can bring awareness about psoriasis into their communities and help navigate individuals toward appropriate care. We have a number of community events planned, and I am thrilled that NPF will be participating in our upcoming event in Maryland.
NPF: Do you have a favorite success story from your work with dermatologists and hair care professionals?
Dr Kindred: One that stands out involved a patient with stable alopecia who had achieved her hair regrowth goals and was seeing our stylist regularly for maintenance. I continued to monitor her every 6 months, but during a salon visit, the stylist noticed something unusual and called me in for a quick consult. I diagnosed a patch of vitiligo on her scalp. That kind of vigilance and teamwork is exactly what the S.T.R.A.N.D. Network is all about.
NPF: If dermatologists reading this walk away with just one piece of advice, what should it be?
Dr Kindred: Dermatologists are the true experts in hair and scalp health, and every dermatologist should have a go-to stylist or 2 in their professional network. If you are unsure where to start, visit thestrandnetwork.org to find a S.T.R.A.N.D.-certified stylist in your area. It is an invaluable partnership that benefits everyone— especially our patients.
Samantha Schlosser is the associate director of scientific communications for NPF.
Reference
- Merola JF, Li T, Li WQ, Cho E, Qureshi AA. Prevalence of psoriasis phenotypes among men and women in the USA. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2016;41(5):486-489. doi:10.1111/ced.12805
