Hair Stylists Against Skin Cancer: An Interventional Study.

Background: Scalp skin cancers have delayed detection due to their discreet location. Hairstylists are uniquely positioned to alert their clients about possible scalp skin cancers.

Objective: This study aimed to educate hairstylists on the basic concepts of skin cancer, increase their confidence in identifying suspicious lesions, and, subsequently, their likelihood of referring to dermatology.

Methods: Hairstylist students across 7 cities in the Midwest were surveyed before and after an educational lecture.

Results: A total of 242 students across 8 schools participated in the study. Most participants (79.3%) completed both surveys. The mean knowledge score postintervention was significantly higher than preintervention (9.13 vs 7.93; p < .001). Cosmetology students reported significantly increased confidence in identifying suspicious skin lesions, informing clients about suspicious lesions, educating clients about skin cancer prevention, and referring a client to a doctor on seeing a suspicious skin lesion postintervention compared with preintervention (p < .001 for all).

Conclusion: The authors' lecture significantly improved hairstylists' knowledge of skin cancer basics and increased their confidence in informing clients about suspicious lesions and the likelihood of referring to a dermatologist.