If you enjoy the soothing experience of a hair wash at the salon, be aware that it may increase your risk of stroke. A study published in the May 2025 edition of the American Journal of Emergency Medicine has highlighted a worrying correlation. Researchers analyzed 22 studies over five decades, identifying 54 cases of what is termed “beauty parlor stroke syndrome” (BPSS).
BPSS occurs when a person’s neck is hyperextended while leaning over a shampoo bowl, potentially leading to compression or tears in the vertebral arteries that supply blood to the brain. In rare instances, this can result in a stroke. Symptoms associated with this syndrome include vertigo, dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, nausea, slurred speech, paralysis, and weakness on one side of the body. These signs may not surface until days or even weeks later.
Significantly, the study found that approximately 80% of the affected individuals were women, spanning ages from teenagers to seniors. The researchers noted that BPSS is unique not just in its cause but also in its common trigger — the neck hyperextension experienced during hair washes at salons. One notable case is that of Elizabeth Smith, who suffered a stroke in 2014, nearly two weeks after a salon visit where her neck was hyper-extended. The stroke had lasting effects, causing her to experience an unsteady gait and loss of motor skills in her left hand, as well as impaired vision in her left eye.
As a preventive measure, clients are encouraged to request neck support, like rolled towels or cushions, at salons. This adjustment can help maintain a more upright posture during hair washes, potentially mitigating the risk of BPSS.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/love-going-to-the-salon-study-reveals-the-surprising-way-it-can-cause-a-heart-stroke/articleshow/124508201.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-10-13 06:00:00
