The Significance of Proper Care for Textured Hair on Inpatient Psychiatric Units.
7 affiliations
- 1NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- 2University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, USA.
- 3University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.
- 4The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- 5Department of Dermatology, Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
- 6Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- 7Women's Health Services, Woodhull Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Abstract
Background
Hair plays a pivotal role in identity, expression, and well-being. Patients with textured hair require specific products and practices to maintain scalp and hair health, including adapted washing frequency, moisturization, and hairstyle maintenance. However, inpatient psychiatric unit policies often restrict personal products due to safety and storage restrictions and may not otherwise supply appropriate alternatives.Summary
Without appropriate products, such as sulfate-free shampoos, leave-in conditioners, and moisturizing creams, inpatient psychiatric patients with textured hair are at risk of preventable complications, including seborrheic dermatitis, hair breakage, and traction alopecia. Because appearance and grooming are routinely assessed in psychiatric evaluations, inadequate hair care access may lead to misinterpretation of mental state, potentially delaying discharge and prolonging hospitalization. Additionally, inability to maintain one's hair during hospitalization may cause emotional and psychological distress.Key messages
Improper access to textured hair care products represents an inequity of inpatient psychiatric care that should be addressed. This article highlights the clinical, dermatologic, and psychosocial consequences of inadequate textured hair care in inpatient psychiatric settings and proposes a model to address this disparity through safe, inclusive hair care resources and staff education. Lived experience was not involved. Future research should quantify the impact of these initiatives.
Related
- Mixed methods investigation into provision of family rooms and support for parents admitted to psychiatric inpatient units and their children: Study protocol
- Editorial: Redefining acute psychiatric care: strategies for improved inpatient experiences, vol II
- Bridging the Gap: A Quality Improvement Project Improving Communication Between Community-Based Inpatient and Outpatient Psychiatric Providers
- Carer perceptions of inpatient psychiatric hospitals and the treatment of their loved ones: A meta-review of the literature
- Local availability of outpatient psychiatric specialists and inpatient length of stay
BibTeX
@article{zaminski2026significance,
title = {{The Significance of Proper Care for Textured Hair on Inpatient Psychiatric Units.}},
author = {Devyn H Zaminski and Archie Spindler and Derek Maas and Isabella Zappi and Sarah Commaroto and Efe Kakpovbia and Jerry Shapiro and Kristen I Lo Sicco and Christin Drake},
journal = {Skin appendage disorders},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1159/sad/aesag006},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909903},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Significance of Proper Care for Textured Hair on Inpatient Psychiatric Units.
AU - Devyn H Zaminski
AU - Archie Spindler
AU - Derek Maas
AU - Isabella Zappi
AU - Sarah Commaroto
AU - Efe Kakpovbia
AU - Jerry Shapiro
AU - Kristen I Lo Sicco
AU - Christin Drake
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/05
JO - Skin appendage disorders
DO - 10.1159/sad/aesag006
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909903
AB - Background Hair plays a pivotal role in identity, expression, and well-being. Patients with textured hair require specific products and practices to maintain scalp and hair health, including adapted washing frequency, moisturization, and hairstyle maintenance. However, inpatient psychiatric unit policies often restrict personal products due to safety and storage restrictions and may not otherwise supply appropriate alternatives.Summary Without appropriate products, such as sulfate-free shampoos, leave-in conditioners, and moisturizing creams, inpatient psychiatric patients with textured hair are at risk of preventable complications, including seborrheic dermatitis, hair breakage, and traction alopecia. Because appearance and grooming are routinely assessed in psychiatric evaluations, inadequate hair care access may lead to misinterpretation of mental state, potentially delaying discharge and prolonging hospitalization. Additionally, inability to maintain one's hair during hospitalization may cause emotional and psychological distress.Key messages Improper access to textured hair care products represents an inequity of inpatient psychiatric care that should be addressed. This article highlights the clinical, dermatologic, and psychosocial consequences of inadequate textured hair care in inpatient psychiatric settings and proposes a model to address this disparity through safe, inclusive hair care resources and staff education. Lived experience was not involved. Future research should quantify the impact of these initiatives.
SN - 2296-9195
SN - 2296-9160
ER -