136: The hair care & mental health connection | Psychologist & hairstylist Afiya Mbilishaka, Ph.D.

“I use hair as an entry point into mental health conversations. It’s about educating people to have a good grasp of their own emotional world, but even thinking about how it connects their sense of self and beauty,” says board-certified psychologist, hair stylist, and hair historian Afiya Mbilishaka, Ph.D., founder of PsychoHairapy. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Mbilishaka about the intersection of mental health and hair, how beauty routines can help identify signs of a depressive episode, and how beauty spaces can serve as places of emotional support. 

Show notes:

-Follow Afiya Mbilishaka, Ph.D.: @dr_afiya

-Check out PsychoHairapy

-Research in the Journal Of Exercise And Nutrition about hair, sweat, exercise, and self care

-Study about early memories of chemical hair relaxers 

-Chemical relaxers connected to adverse outcomes 

-Maui Moisture partnership with PsychoHairapy 

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: psychodermatology, ice baths benefits, breathwork, meditation   

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Mist, Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Weightless Oil Mist

Take 20% off glow from the inside out bundle+ with code BEAUTYPOD. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

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