“We laugh and cry together”: how do hairstylists experience the provision of social support to their clients?

Burfitt, Chloe

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Burfitt, Chloe (2026) “We laugh and cry together”: how do hairstylists experience the provision of social support to their clients? Doctoral thesis, London Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

Hairstyling extends beyond aesthetic practice, encompassing elements of social support, emotional labour, and informal caregiving. Research indicates that clients often disclose personal problems to hairstylists that closely resemble those presented to mental health professionals, suggesting that individuals may engage with this informal support channel prior to, or instead of, formal mental health channels. Despite the intimate and trusted nature of the hairstylist-client relationship, little is known about how hairstylists experience their supportive role. This study addresses this gap by exploring the lived experiences of six UK-based hairstylists and how they experience and manage the provision of social support to their clients.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four group experiential themes were created: 1: Fulfilment in the Hairstylist-Client Relationship, 2: The Emotional Weight of Social Support in Hairstyling, 3: Managing Social Support in Hairstyling, and 4: Professional Recognition and Institutional Support in Hairstyling. Across these themes, participants described the hairstylist-client relationship as deeply meaningful and mutually rewarding yet emotionally demanding. Participants reported relying largely on self-taught strategies to manage the impact of providing support, highlighting a lack of formal training, recognition, and systemic support for this aspect of their work.
These findings both align with existing literature and offer novel insights into the emotional labour of hairstyling, whilst underscoring the importance of greater institutional recognition, training, and professional validation, and offering valuable implications for mental health professionals seeking to better understand and support this underrepresented caregiving profession.

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