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Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Sustainable haircare interventions



The solution to Britain's climate crisis? Hairdressers, scientists say

Scientists are calling on an unexpected warrior in the fight against climate change – the humble hairdresser.

Experts say the UK's hair stylists are emerging as 'powerful, under–recognised influencers' in tackling the climate crisis.

New research shows that hairdressers are seen as confidantes or even counsellors, and are uniquely placed to hold influential conversations about global warming.


Aren't these 'powerful, under–recognised influencers' the same people we used to think of as gossips? 


For their study, the team also ran a nationwide intervention in 25 salons using 'Mirror Talkers' – eco–tips placed on salon mirrors to prompt sustainable haircare interventions.


I hope somebody is making this stuff up. I'm off to the kitchen for a cup of tea and a biscuit.

7 comments:

DiscoveredJoys said...

Well now that barmen and barmaids are an endangered species perhaps the Powers That Be are seeking a fresh channel for approved gossip.

Mind you I formed the opinions that bar staff and hairdressers were more likely to reflect socially conservative opinions.

A K Haart said...

DJ - I'm sure you are right, they aren't likely to be in favour of anti-business politics or solar-powered hair dryers.

dearieme said...

Attributed to an ancient Greek king:-

Barber: "How would you like your hair cut, Sire?"

King: "In silence."

Bucko said...

When the price of a haircut went up to £8 twenty years ago, I started doing it myself. Last time I looked, a couple of years ago, it was £20. I'm still doing it myself
Guess I'll have to educate myself about climate change in the bathroom mirror

Macheath said...

‘Nudge’ at its most patronisingly nauseating, raising the gruesome spectre of official checklists: “Melanie, you did remember to have the climate chat with your last client, didn’t you?”

As for the environment, have any of those responsible for this idea actually been into a hairdressing salon? Surrounded by power-hungry dryers and tongs and a myriad assorted chemicals (to say nothing of the aerosols), I, for one, might feel somewhat resentful if my hairdresser started lecturing me on ‘tackling the climate crisis’.

A K Haart said...

dearieme - that's mostly how Mrs H cuts mine, doesn't ask about holiday plans and she doesn't talk about football.

Bucko - before I retired I used to cut mine too, but once I'd retired I had time to visit the local barber. Since lockdown Mrs H cuts it, doing it better than I ever did.

A K Haart said...

Macheath - I don't have the personal experience, but as soon as I read the piece I thought of those power-hungry dryers and tongs. Coffee machines too from what Mrs H tells me. A glance at the ingredients of all those hair potions is enough to wonder what the intended 'green' substitutes might be.