Cutting and Styling Afro Hair Now Compulsory for UK Hairdressing Qualifications

As of an update of 30th June, cutting and styling afro and textured hair is now standard for hairdressing students in the UK.

It will now be compulsory for all UK hairdressers to learn how to cut and style afro and textured hair thanks to the latest update to hairdressing regulations. In a recent review of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for hairdressing, it was found that many qualifications did not require students to learn how to cut and style afro and textured hair, resulting in a major gap in professional expertise for this demographic.

Now, new NOS guidelines published in June have been updated to cater for those with afro and textured hair.

Current qualifications had not compulsory requirement, leaving a significant gap in professional knowledge and hairdressing services, and this will be a huge step in making the beauty industry truly inclusive. To date, there has been a huge divide between the diversity and skill sets available in salons, which results in different hair types going to different salons. Black hairdressers typically have the skillset to cater to all hair types, whereas white hairdressers don’t learn how to work with afro hair. So far that, a study by Habia found there are more than 35,000 hair salons in the UK, but only 302 cater to afro hair.