Body Mechanics in Body Mechanics in Haircutting Haircutting

Posture and Body PositionsPosture and Body Positions

Why is proper Body Mechanics Why is proper Body Mechanics Important in Haircutting?Important in Haircutting?

Proper body mechanics Proper body mechanics help the stylists maintain help the stylists maintain a healthy career.a healthy career.

Closed toed shoesClosed toed shoes that fit that fit properly will help avoid properly will help avoid feet and back problems.feet and back problems.

Proper hand positionsProper hand positions when using tools and when using tools and implements will help implements will help avoid hand and wrist avoid hand and wrist problems, and ensure problems, and ensure better results in the better results in the service.service.

Rules to Remember in Rules to Remember in HaircuttingHaircutting

Make sure your client Make sure your client is sitting straight up, is sitting straight up, and does not have and does not have legs crossed, if so, legs crossed, if so, haircut could be haircut could be uneven.uneven.

Use the mirror to Use the mirror to check proper angles check proper angles used in haircutting.used in haircutting.

Move your client’s Move your client’s chair as needed. chair as needed. Remember to adjust Remember to adjust height of chair as height of chair as needed for ease of needed for ease of service and comfortservice and comfort

Body Positions in Body Positions in HaircuttingHaircutting

1. Keep body weight centered and firm.1. Keep body weight centered and firm.

2. Stand straight while keeping your 2. Stand straight while keeping your knees slightly bend.knees slightly bend.

3. If shoulders or arms begin to feel 3. If shoulders or arms begin to feel uncomfortable, adjust chair to lower uncomfortable, adjust chair to lower level.level.

4. If sitting, keep both feet on the floor.4. If sitting, keep both feet on the floor.

General Rules to Remember General Rules to Remember While Providing Haircutting While Providing Haircutting

ServiceService Avoid working with Avoid working with

your head bent down your head bent down for long periods of for long periods of time, adjust chair as time, adjust chair as needed.needed.

Periodically, check Periodically, check clients sitting position clients sitting position in the mirror. Provide in the mirror. Provide gentle reminders to gentle reminders to client as needed.client as needed.

Hand Positions For Hand Positions For HaircuttingHaircutting

1. 1. Cutting Over FingersCutting Over Fingers – Term used – Term used when placing shears over fingers while when placing shears over fingers while cutting the hair.cutting the hair.– Used in Uniform or Increase Layered HaircutsUsed in Uniform or Increase Layered Haircuts

2. 2. Cutting Below the FingersCutting Below the Fingers – Term – Term used for when cutting One Length Haircuts, used for when cutting One Length Haircuts, Graduated Haircuts, Bobs, and blending the Graduated Haircuts, Bobs, and blending the perimeter of the haircut.perimeter of the haircut.– Angle could be horizontal or diagonal. Angle could be horizontal or diagonal.

Hand Positions In Haircutting Hand Positions In Haircutting ContinueContinue

3. 3. Cutting Palm-to-Cutting Palm-to-PalmPalm – Term used – Term used when back of hand is when back of hand is facing client’s head or facing client’s head or both palms are facing both palms are facing each other while each other while cutting.cutting.– Angles could be Angles could be

diagonal or vertical.diagonal or vertical.– Best way to maintain Best way to maintain

control for elevation or control for elevation or over direction.over direction.

– Helps prevent strain on Helps prevent strain on back.back.

Points to RememberPoints to Remember

1. Wear support hose, or socks to 1. Wear support hose, or socks to help reduce leg fatigue.help reduce leg fatigue.

2. Elevate legs above to relieve leg 2. Elevate legs above to relieve leg discomfort.discomfort.

3. Avoid high heels 3. Avoid high heels 4. Exercise often, eat properly and 4. Exercise often, eat properly and

rest well.rest well.

Work CitedWork Cited

Miladys Standard Cosmetology Textbook,Miladys Standard Cosmetology Textbook,

copyright 2004copyright 2004