Dangerous barbers I went to the barbing saloon recently to get a haircut. Usually, when I go, I take my own shaving kit with me and so avoid any risk of catching head lice or even Hepatitis. God forbid! Anyway, that is not the story I want to relate to you. Th e hair cut was performed effi ciently but after the barber succeeded in making me handsome (to my amusement), he did the following: First, the barber got a hot wet towel from a small oven in the shop. He then proceeded to slap this hot towel on my head without warning. It was hot enough to make me jump up, slap his hand away and exclaim. Seriously, what has barbing become? Why do I have go to the shop to get a burn on my head? Th ere was no communication at all and he did not even check if the temperature was suitable for me. I supposed he used his own calloused hands to judge the temperature! He still used it to clean my head, wiping off the bits of hair and then he proceeded to perform a hand massage of my scalp and neck. I thought that was good and I almost fell asleep with the pleasure of it. Th at was until he put one hand on my head and another under my chin. He was about to twist my neck before I shouted. I was so mad! How dare a barber try to twist my neck (unsolicited) and without prior warning, as part of the simple act of shaving my head? I admonished him severely and warned him never to do this again. It is certainly not part of hair cutting and does not take into cognisance the huge risks involved. For example, I may have a bad neck with cervical spondylosis, or a previous neck operation or even just a weak neck. And apart from being a surgeon who operates on necks, I watch movies where peoples’ necks are twisted leading to their demise. It is believable that the barber could one day, perform this neck twisting act and render his client paralysed or dead. A N500 hair cut should not send you to the emergency room or to the morgue. Well, one did recently. I met a man who was temporarily paralysed after the barber twisted his neck. Before you could say, ‘Jack Robinson’ he twisted the man’s neck and that one felt a tingling sensation down his spine and weakness of his arms and legs.
Watch this space for the rest of the story. The dandruff scam Th is brings me to another point in the haircutting industry and this relates to the dandruff scam perpetrated by hair dressers and barbers. Dandruff is not a disease but simply dry scalp. It is dry skin that fl akes off the head and is not really a problem. It is also not curable. Since it is not a disease, in the fi rst place! According to Wikipedia, Dandruff is a common scalp disorder aff ecting almost half of the population at the post-pubertal age and of any gender and ethnicity. It often causes itching. Th e severity of dandruff may fl uctuate with season as it often worsens in dry weather. Th ose aff ected by dandruff fi nd that it can cause social or self-esteem problems, indicating treatment for both psychological and physiological reasons. Most cases of dandruff can be easily treated with specialized shampoos. Th ere is, however, no true cure.
No cure for Dandruff Th is is the basis of the scam! When barbers and hair dressers say that you have dandruff and ask if they could treat it for you, they make is sound as if they can make it go away. Th at the exorbitant price you pay to have your hair washed with shampoo and creamed is justifi ed. As if once they have done the treatment, it won’t reappear the very next day! Dry scalp like dry in other part of the body is part of life and happens to a lot of people. People who use soap a lot and especially in the hot weather we have in Nigeria suff er from dandruff and dry skins. Th ose who suff er from eczema and allergies perhaps suff er the more. It is no reason to spend your hard earned money on the scam perpetuated by big business selling shampoos, lotions and potions purported to cure dandruff . Shampoos, soaps, creams and moisturisers are temporary treatment and not cure for dandruff . It is part of your makeup and not a condition to worry about at all.
Be careful Finally, please be careful at the barbers shop and even at hairdressers. People have been maimed and injured in these places. Burns, allergic reactions, cuts, rash and transmission of deadly infections are all possible at the hairdressers. NB: Please share your bad or good experiences at the barbers with me. Simply write in to the discussion column and let us share the information and advice widely.
