Advancing Worker Health and Safety in the Nail and Hair Salon Communities: A Research Convening

In 2022, CHNSC hosted “Advancing Worker Health and Safety in the Nail and Hair Salon Communities: A Research Convening” to identify research priorities and discuss how research informs policies and best practices.

BACKGROUND

In 2009, the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative (CHNSC) hosted a research convening that attracted over 120 researchers, scientists, environmental, public health and labor advocates, nail salon workers and owners, cosmetologists, industry members, regulatory representatives, and public health experts. The two-day event in Oakland, CA generated significant cross-movement, cross-sector dialogue, information and resource sharing, and collective strategizing around the development of a research agenda for the nail salon and cosmetology community.

Bringing together for the first time diverse groups from across the nation, the convening helped to strengthen alliances within California and nationally and to energize the movement to assure salon worker health and safety. Although the convening centered on surfacing research questions and on establishing a research agenda, the gathering became a unique place for connection, sharing, and learning as participating nail and beauty salon workers expressed their ideas, concerns, and needs, grounding the meeting in the lived experiences and wisdom of this workforce.

Since 2009, there have been numerous changes in the market that demand reconsideration of the current research agenda. New technologies, such as acrylics, gels, and dips in the nail salon industry, have grown dramatically in popularity, but research investigating their safety has lagged behind. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, new health concerns were brought to light as clients and workers tried to stay safe from the contagious virus. Due to lockdown and social distancing measures, the industry faced a decrease in customer flow and economic uncertainty for salons and their workers.

At the time of the 2022 convening, the hair and nail salon industry has been adjusting to new reopening protocols despite the COVID-19 virus remaining a threat to worker health and safety. It is our hope that this convening can answer outstanding questions from our 2009 convening, identify what new research priorities must be added to the agenda, and discuss how research can inform policy and practice at the federal, state, and salon level.

PURPOSE

In response to new and growing concerns regarding health and safety in the nail and hair salon industry, CHNSC organized a virtual research convening that aimed to bring together the nail and hair salon workforce, researchers, advocates, and government agencies. Throughout the convening, participants presented new research findings, policy developments, and intervention programs, as well as gaps in these areas that must be addressed.