This project is funded by:
Walk into almost any salon in South Africa, from the polished studios in shopping malls to the busy hair and nail spots tucked between shops near a taxi rank and the scene is alive. The chatter between clients and stylists, the sharp smell of acetone and hair products filling the air.
But behind the beauty, there’s a side many don’t see. For the people who spend long hours in these spaces, hairdressers, nail technicians, and beauticians, the very products that create glamour can quietly chip away at their health. Relaxers, acrylic powders, strong dyes, sprays, and removers are handled every day, often without gloves or masks. The chemicals linger long after the salon lights go off.
Munyadziwa Muvhali, a medical scientist at the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), explains how exposure to various irritants contributes to contact dermatitis, which impacts both the beauty professional and the client. Watch to find out more.
