Based on an international panel of ~4,000 groomers
2025/2026 Global Study
IGS Global Groomer Health Initiative
Protecting those who care. We’re turning global data into practical prevention resources—built with the profession, for real salon conditions.
~39%
say back pain could force them to stop grooming long-term.
~78%
report work-related mental or emotional difficulties.

Eye strain
Visual discomfort is common and underprotected.
Inhalation
Particles and aerosols are daily exposure.
Why this initiative exists
For the first time, a large-scale international study has documented what grooming professionals have been experiencing for years: widespread physical pain, cumulative exposure (noise, particles, products), frequent injuries, emotional overload, and major gaps in prevention.
These issues are not individual failures. They are systemic occupational realities. The IGS Global Groomer Health Initiative exists to turn data into practical resources and long-term support—built with the profession.
A different approach
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No guilt.
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No denial.
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No unrealistic demands.
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Education over enforcement.
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Prevention over reaction.
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Support over judgment.
The goal is to provide knowledge, tools, and references so groomers can make informed, safer choices adapted to their country and working context.
The 6 pillars
Six interconnected areas. One shared goal: sustainable careers.
Physical Health & Musculoskeletal Protection
Back pain, joints, wrists, chronic fatigue. Ergonomics, biomechanics, workstation and workflow guidance. Musculoskeletal disorders – overall prevalence 79% of groomers report suffering from back pain. 39% of those with back pain say it could force them to stop grooming. Joint and muscle pain 84% report joint or muscle pain. Perceived link with grooming: 72% say it is clearly grooming-related. 23% say it could be grooming-related. Pain intensity: 21% report low pain. 63% report moderate pain. 16% report severe pain. Career impact: 39% say joint/muscle pain would definitely force them to stop grooming long term. 48% say it could possibly force them to stop. Physical and functional consequences MSDs lead to: Chronic fatigue (majority of respondents with pain – qualitative result). Reduced ability to lift or handle certain animals (majority – qualitative result). Lower productivity and higher accident risk (qualitative but structurally reported). (No exact % given in the report for each of these sub-effects, but they are directly linked to MSD prevalence.) Training and ergonomics gaps More than 50% of groomers have never received in-depth ergonomics training on: proper posture, table adjustment, lifting techniques, ergonomic salon organization. Professional sustainability 39% of groomers with back pain say it could lead to leaving the profession. 39% of groomers with joint/muscle pain say it would definitely force them to stop. 48% say it might force them to stop.
Respiratory, Ocular & Skin Exposure
Hair/dust inhalation, aerosols, eye strain, dermatitis, hair splinters. Ventilation and exposure reduction tools. 🫁 Respiratory Exposure 22% of groomers report having developed respiratory problems since entering the profession. Main symptoms reported: Throat or nasal irritation: ~11% Chronic cough: ~10% Allergies: ~9% Sinusitis: ~7% Asthma or worsening asthma: ~7% Bronchitis: ~6% Perceived link with grooming: 44% say it is clearly work-related 43% say it may be work-related Use of respiratory protection: 47% never wear a mask 40% wear one only for specific tasks 13% wear a mask systematically 👁 Ocular (Eye) Exposure About 50% of groomers report eye strain or visual discomfort. Main symptoms: Eye fatigue: 24% Dry or irritated eyes: ~29% Blurred or double vision: ~14% Redness or burning: ~11% Light sensitivity: ~11% Use of eye protection: 51% never wear eye protection 34% use it occasionally 11% use it regularly 🧴 Skin Exposure 31% report having developed hand skin problems since entering the profession. Hair splinters: 87% have experienced hair splinters 52% occasionally 25% frequently 23% very frequently Medical consequences: 14% required medical treatment for hair splinters or skin complications Glove use: 46% never use gloves 36% use them only in specific cases 12% use them only during bathing
Noise & Hearing Protection
Dryers, blowers, barking, tinnitus. Exposure thresholds, protection guidance, noise-reduction strategies. Daily exposure & protection practices 65% of groomers work without any hearing protection when using noisy equipment (dryers, blowers, clippers). Development of hearing problems 39% of groomers report having developed hearing problems during their career. Among those with hearing problems: 75% say it is clearly grooming-related. 22% say it could be grooming-related. Severity of reported hearing loss Among groomers reporting hearing problems: 68% report mild hearing loss. 28% report moderate hearing loss. 4% report severe hearing loss. Noise levels (exposure context – measured ranges) High-velocity dryers commonly reach 90–105 dB. Barking at close range can reach 100–120 dB. (These are exposure level values referenced in the report, not respondent percentages.) Long-term professional risk (qualitative but quantified prevalence) ~1 groomer in 3 already shows signs of hearing impairment (derived from the 39% prevalence).
Injuries, Accidents & Biological Risks
Bites, scratches, equipment incidents, zoonotic exposure. Safer handling, hygiene awareness, post-incident resources. 🐾 Injuries caused by animals Dog-related injuries 87% of groomers report having been injured by a dog during their career. Among those injured by dogs: ~15% required surgery. Cat-related injuries Among groomers who groom cats: 91% report having been injured by a cat (scratches, bites, attacks). 🧠 Emotional trauma after animal incidents 31% of groomers report emotional trauma following an incident with an animal (bite, attack, serious injury). ⚙️ Accidents related to equipment and the work environment 62% of groomers report having suffered an equipment- or environment-related accident. Common sources include: slips and falls on wet floors, cuts from clippers or scissors, burns or irritation from dryers, injuries linked to tables, ramps, cages, or doors. 🦠 Biological risks (zoonotic infections) Diagnosed zoonotic infections 9% of groomers report having been diagnosed with a zoonotic infection linked to their work. 90% report no known zoonotic diagnosis. ~1% are uncertain. Most frequent zoonotic infections (among diagnosed cases) ~63%: Ringworm (dermatophytosis) ~11%: Sarcoptic mange ~6% each: Pasteurellosis Leptospirosis Giardiasis Lyme disease Bartonellosis (cat scratch disease) Parasitic infections (tapeworms, etc.) 🔑 Key Combined Message Almost 9 in 10 groomers are injured by dogs. More than 9 in 10 cat groomers are injured by cats. Nearly 2 in 3 groomers suffer accidents related to equipment or salon layout. About 1 in 10 groomers contract a zoonotic infection during their career. Nearly 1 in 3 experience emotional trauma after an animal-related incident.
Mental Health, Emotional Load & Burnout Prevention
Stress, isolation, client pressure. Practical resilience tools, boundaries, peer support and recovery resources. 🧠 Mental and Emotional Difficulties 78% of groomers report having experienced mental or emotional difficulties related to their profession. 19% report no such difficulties. 4% are unsure. 🔥 Types of mental health issues reported (among those affected) Work-related stress: ~72% Burnout or emotional exhaustion: ~68% General anxiety or chronic tension: ~54% Feeling isolated or unsupported: ~43% Sleep disorders: ~35% Depression: ~33% Difficulty concentrating: ~32% 📊 Frequency of emotional overload 46% feel emotionally overwhelmed occasionally. 31% feel overwhelmed frequently. 11% feel overwhelmed almost every day. 11% report rare occurrences. ➡️ More than 70% experience emotional overload on a regular basis. 🤝 Perceived professional support 23% feel supported by colleagues or their professional network. 41% feel somewhat supported. 16% feel not supported. 🔑 Key Combined Message Nearly 8 in 10 groomers experience mental or emotional difficulties. Over 7 in 10 feel emotionally overwhelmed on a regular basis. About 2 in 3 report burnout or emotional exhaustion. Less than 1 in 4 feel truly supported professionally.
Specific Situations & Vulnerable Periods
Pregnancy, early-career vulnerability, cumulative exposure. Clear, responsible guidance and risk adaptation. 🌡 Nutrition, Hydration & Heat Strain Eating habits Only 15% of groomers always eat proper meals during the workday. 27% eat properly on most days. 33% eat properly rarely. 25% almost never eat properly while working. ➡️ Nearly 60% do not have regular adequate meals at work. Digestive issues 23% experience digestive issues frequently. 32% experience them occasionally. 46% report no digestive symptoms. Perceived link with work rhythm 52% say their work rhythm negatively affects their eating or digestion. 22% say maybe. 25% say no. Hydration Only 21% feel they drink enough water consistently. 34% drink enough only sometimes. 28% rarely drink enough. 17% never drink enough during the workday. ➡️ Nearly 80% experience insufficient hydration while working. Heat exposure 32% work in excessively hot or poorly ventilated environments regularly. 33% experience this occasionally. 35% report rare or no exposure. ➡️ About two thirds work in thermally challenging conditions at least part of the time. Heat and dehydration symptoms Headaches: ~55% Fatigue or weakness: ~48% Excessive sweating: ~42% Dizziness or light-headedness: ~34% Nausea: ~21% Muscle cramps: ~20% Only 22% report no symptoms. 🤰 Pregnancy & Reproductive Safety Working while pregnant 24% of groomers report having worked while pregnant. Information about risks 55% were not informed about occupational risks during pregnancy. 29% had to search for information themselves. Only 16% were properly informed by a professional source. ➡️ More than 80% lacked reliable guidance on pregnancy-related risks. 🔑 Key Combined Message 6 in 10 groomers do not eat properly during workdays. 4 in 5 do not hydrate adequately while working. 2 in 3 work in hot or poorly ventilated conditions. 1 in 4 worked while pregnant. Over 8 in 10 received no proper information about occupational risks during pregnancy.
From data to action
What the initiative will progressively deliver.
Guides & Toolkits
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Salon-ready checklists
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Chapter-based prevention toolkits
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Posters for schools and salons
Education & Community
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Webinars & short trainings
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Peer exchange and shared practices
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Resources translated over time
Industry Collaboration
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Product transparency & safer use
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Noise / airflow / ergonomics innovation
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Voluntary guidance for safer options
Why membership matters
A collective professional movement
Membership supports independent, evidence-based work and helps build resources that improve health, safety and long-term career sustainability worldwide. It’s not only about access. It’s about belonging, contribution, and long-term vision.
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New resources released regularly
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Global accessibility (translations over time)
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Community and professional connection
Member resources (examples)
Toolkits designed for real salon conditions, progressive learning, and practical prevention.
MSD prevention mini-toolkit (posture + setup)
Noise quick guide (thresholds + protection)
Respiratory & aerosol exposure checklist
Incident reflection sheet (after bite/attack)
Stress & boundaries micro-tools
International Grooming Society
IGS Global Groomer Health Initiative
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