A Relaxing Retreat or a Risky Affair? The Reality of Salon Strokes

A salon session after a long tiring week can be incredibly relaxing. As you lie back and feel the stylist caress your hair, the soothing sensation helps calm your mind, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility. It’s the perfect way to relax and recharge.

But have you ever thought this relaxing session can come at the cost of your health? While it seems harmless, certain neck positions or movements during hair treatment can lead to serious issues. Have you ever heard of beauty parlor stroke syndrome? Then here’s what we have to look into.

What is Beauty Parlor Stroke Syndrome

The term was first coined in 1992 by Dr. Michael I Weintraub, Department of Neurology, New York Medical College named after vestibular insufficiency symptoms observed after patients visited a hairdresser salon. He observed 5 elderly women demonstrating neurological symptoms, post hair-dressing session at the salon.

Here are 5 case reports:

Case 1: A 79-year-old woman developed vertigo, nystagmus (rapid eye movements) and ataxia during shampooing. Her MRI was normal, but MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) showed a marked reduction in the blood flow to the right vertebral artery due to hyperextension. Her symptoms worsened briefly but resolved within 12 hours.

Case 2: An 84-year-old woman developed slurred speech, and weakness on the left side of her face, after her hairdressing session. She was found to have Wernicke’s aphasia (the loss of ability to speak and understand language due to the lesion or damage in the middle or left side of the brain potential cause may be impaired blood supply to the brain) and right Babinski sign. And CT scan revealed parietal infraction.

Case 3: A 76-year-old woman developed nausea, vomiting, ataxia, and vertigo after shampoo treatment. The MRI showed microvascular infarcts (lack of blood supply to the small blood vessels in the brain) and left cerebellar infraction (lack of blood supply to the cerebellum) which is linked to the symptoms above.

Case 4: An 80-year-old woman developed dizziness, ataxia, and numbness on the left side of her face after shampooing. She had been doing daily neck exercises and undergone lengthy dental procedures. MRI showed microvascular infractions and brain stem atrophy.

Case 5: A 54-year-old woman developed slurred speech, difficulty in swallowing, and right-hand incoordination after a long hairdressing session. And CT scan showed cerebellar infarction.

How Does it get triggered?

When the head is bent on the sink for long or does not have any support, if the compression is greater, blood flow is obstructed and ends up forming clots that can lead to terrible brain strokes. In addition, if the individual also had vertebral hypoplasia (narrowing of the vertebral artery that supplies blood to the brain) are at higher risk.

Dr. Arun L Naik MCh, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon and Chief of Neuroscience, Sagar Hospitals Bengaluru, discussed this rare syndrome on his Instagram handle, where is first mentions a real-time case from Hyderabad and further adds on the symptoms, complications precautions, and other health utilities of the syndrome.

Symptoms

• Dizziness

• Facial Numbness

• Loss of balance

• Unsteady hands

• Slurred speech

• Pain or swelling in the neck

• Weakness

• Nausea and Vomiting

• Weakness of limbs

• In the Instagram post

Who is at high risk?

Not all who visit a salon or are exposed to a similar environment experience this syndrome. But the conditions that increase the risk of this syndrome are:

• High Blood Pressure

• Diabetes

• Cervical spondylosis

• Other neck-related issues

• Obstruction of the artery due to atherosclerosis

• Old age

• Smoking

But note it, the syndrome does not necessarily affect only women it can happen to anyone with the underlying risk or just by the improper position or vigorous neck massages sometimes irrespective of age.

A similar case was reported, a 50-year-old woman from Hyderabad, developed symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and vomiting during a hair wash at a beauty parlor. Initially taken to a gastroenterologist, she experienced mild imbalance the next day. A neurologist diagnosed mild cerebellar signs, an MRI revealed right inferior cerebellar infarcts and an MR angiogram showed left vertebral hypoplasia

Next time you visit a salon do not be afraid rather take the necessary measures for yourself

What can be done

• Use a small pillow or neck support to keep your neck in a neutral position and avoid full extension.

• Take breaks if the process is long, gently move your neck during these pauses.

• Ask the stylist to avoid moving your neck vigorously.

• Inform your stylist if you have any health conditions.

• Avoid vigorous massages to prevent strain or injury.

Conclusion

Now you know, don’t let this information scare you scare from enjoying a relaxing salon session. You deserved to get pampered and spend your own quality time. While the syndrome is not typically fatal, any stroke at the brain stem can be devastating.

But let's take the necessary precautions. The next time you visit a salon or undergo lengthy procedures involving your neck, remember to speak up if you feel uneasy. Let’s prioritize safety by staying informed about this rare condition.

Prevention beats cure every time!

Reference:

1. Weintraub MI. Stroke after visit to the hairdresser. The Lancet. 1997 Dec 13;350(9093):1777-8.

2. Weintraub MI. Beauty parlor stroke syndrome: report of five cases. Jama. 1993 Apr 28;269(16):2085-6.

3. Tosunoğlu B, Ünal SM, Aksoy SE, Yoldaş TK. Vertigo and Ischemic Stroke after Hyperextension (Beauty Parlour Stroke syndrome). Acta medica Lituanica. 2022;29(2):167.

4. Kumar M, Deshpande K, Ankitha Kotian MR, Shwetha S. BEAUTY PARLOR SYNDROME: RARE, BUT REAL EMERGING THREAT TO FEMININE NATURE.

5. https://hcahealthcaretoday.com/2016/08/19/rare-but-real-risk-at-the-hair-salon-beauty-parlor-stroke-syndrome/

6. https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/hyderabad-woman-suffers-rare-beauty-parlour-stroke-syndrome-after-hair-wash-in-salon-what-is-it-11552981.html

 By Josna Lewis