Barbers are reigniting calls for regulation and improved hygiene standards in the hair and barbering industry after a surge in ringworm cases among clients.
An alarming increase in ringworm infections has left customers and health officials concerned. According to the NHS it is estimated 10% to 20% of people will contract ringworm in their lifetime with the Health and Safety Executive reporting up to 12,500 cases per year. This fungal outbreak has transformed haircuts into potential health hazards, with some victims discovering the symptoms days after their visit to unauthorised or poorly maintained barbershops.
What Is Ring Worm?
What starts as a simple trim could end in itching, scaling and circular rashes. Despite its misleading name, ringworm isn't a worm at all - it's an aggressive fungal infection that can turn a fade into a weeks-long ordeal. The culprit? A perfect storm of unhygienic practices and the booming popularity of skin-tight fades that run very close to the surface of the scalp. These styles, while visually striking, can lead to infection if unclean tools are in use.
Mike Taylor, founder of Mike Taylor Education commented: "The majority of clients want skin fades which means you use a foil shaver bringing the hair so close to the skin, it takes off a lot of skin - so if the instruments are not cleaned thoroughly and properly you're passing that onto other people's skin which can cause infection."
Education is key, Mike shares, telling us that it's important for barbers to understand the importance of health and safety seriously from day one. "Barbers should also charge the right amount of money for their service to allow them to be able to perform that service and clean tools to the right standard for your next client. If a barber has a website and a booking system you know they have allotted the time to look after you (and clean)."
Government Response
Modern Barber reached out to the Department for Business and Trade, highlighting the rise in ringworm cases and the industry's call for regulation. A government spokesperson said: “We have no plans to regulate the hairdressing sector, however we will always seriously consider evidence when it’s provided. We work closely with the industry to address skills and training needs, and HMRC is also working to tackle tax fraud in the sector.”
Expanding on the evidence required to consider regulation the government spokesperson said:
- We have not received evidence to suggest that the hairdressing sector provides a sufficiently large scale of harm and that regulation is an appropriate solution.
- Analysis suggests regulating hairdressers would cost £75 million for both the taxpayer and businesses.
- The Government’s new Border Security Command will provide the cross-system strategic leadership to tackle criminal gangs and to ensure they are brought to justice. This includes working with partners like the National Crime Agency (NCA), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Policing and the UK Intelligence Community.
When pushed on the cost of the Border Security Command in contrast to the potential cost of regulation the government stated "we have nothing further to add". Sir Keir Starmer recently announced a further £75m in funding for the UK government's Border Security Command, doubling the funding to £150m over the next two years.
Are You A Five-Star Barber?
We asked Mike Taylor for his advice to barbers: "A lot of people want to be a five-star barber. In every high street you will find a really good barber, but you won't find a five-star barber on every high street. A five-star barber is not just someone who cuts hair well. One of the stages is to make sure your clients are safe, your equipment is top notch and tha you know everything about health and safety. People will find five-star barbers and pay extra for them. If you want to be at the top level, think about putting health and safety first. Don't be frightened to learn more. Speak to brands like Barber Blades, Wahl, Andis and JRL, they want you to look after your instruments. When you go to trade shows speak to experts that are there who know the best way of cleaning and maintaining tools. They're there free of charge to help you."
The National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) has shared the signs clients will be looking out for when entering your shop:
- Stained towels being reused between clients
- Clippers caked with mysterious debris
- Barbicide or disinfectant jars filled with cloudy, weeks-old solution
- Hair-covered floors
- Staff moving between clients without washing hands
NHBF Mandatory Safety Protocols That Could Save Your Skin
- Cleaning procedures for all equipment
- Hospital-worthy disinfection protocols
- Strict enforcement of hygiene standards
- Regular staff training on infection prevention
- Comprehensive documentation of all cleaning procedures
