Hair & Health Symposium Event will Focus on Link Between Hair and Health

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Residents in Rochester and the Finger Lakes region have a chance to learn about the connection between their health and hair.

This is fourth Hair and Health Symposium, and will be held on June 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rochester Prep High School, located at 14 Mark Street in Rochester.

The FREE event is organized by a group of barbers and stylists who are also trained as community health educators, and sponsored by Common Ground Health, Rochester Regional Health, and the Get it Done Initiative.

“This year’s Hair and Health Symposium features a Black dermatology nurse practitioner talking about issues of skin and scalp and an oncologist who will be talking about the dangers of using products that contain chemicals, and undergoing certain chemical hair processes – dangers like endometriosis, fibrosis and cancers that can be the consequences of using these products and processes over time,” said Whitmore Odonkor of Whitmore's International Barbershop.

At the symposium, there will be several speakers discussing various topics related to hair and health. Attendees will hear from the following speakers:

• Shimika E. Barrolle, a dermatology nurse practitioner from the University of Rochester Medical Center, will talk about how stress can affect the skin and scalp.

• Sajeena Geevarghese, an oncologist from Rochester Regional Health, will discuss the impact of chemicals in hair products on people's health.

• Kerry Graff, a family medicine specialist at Rochester Regional Health, will highlight the benefits of a plant-based diet.

• Carl Binger, a clinician from Luminance Mental Health Counseling, will talk about how stress can affect overall health and lead to hair loss.

“From diet and nutrition to the effects of stress on the scalp and skin, there is a direct link between people’s hair and their health,” said Jackie Dozier, director of community health and well-being at Common Ground Health. “During this symposium, attendees will learn how health affects their hair and hear from barbers and stylists about how they promote health.”

To attend the symposium, pre-registration is required. The event includes a light breakfast and lunch. Those interested can register online at commongroundhealth.org/hair23 or by calling Jackie Dozier at Common Ground Health at 585.224.3109.

Learn more about Common Ground Health at commongroundhealth.org.