As we approach 2024, we’re all excited for new beginnings and the opportunity to craft a healthy, successful life. For hairdressers, this transitional period offers a unique chance to reflect on personal well-being while also refreshing daily practices in the salon. As we begin the new year, it's a perfect time to turn your attention to the tools of their trade, particularly those trusty shears that have been an extension of your creativity. It’s time to take stock of how these essential instruments align with body positioning and control, to pave the way for a year full of improved precision, comfort, healthy habits, and creativity.
Hairdressers use very specific areas of their bodies – fingers, hands, wrists, elbows – replicating the same movement over and over, day after day. When that movement includes reaching the thumb back towards the ring finger, the thumb tendon is compromised with stress and inflammation. And if the elbow is held high to cut, it puts pressure on the neck and elbows. It all equals PAIN. Sam Villa, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Sam Villa and Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken was also having pain in his hands, so he consulted with a doctor to design shears that actually feel good in the hand and reduce and eliminate pain.
Villa says, “These are like a pair of Louis Vuitton shoes, they may take a week to get used to, but after that, you’re performing at a higher level.” See Villa explains how to hold hands to properly fit a pair of shears below.
Sam Villa Shears have an ergonomic forward set thumb position that forces the elbow down while cutting, eliminating neck and shoulder pain.
Traditional Shears Vs. Sam Villa Shears
Traditional Shears
- Elbow forced into a raised position
- Stress on thumb tendon
- Greater motion needed to open and close
Sam Villa Shears
- Relaxed position with thumb forward and elbow down
- Reduced thumb motion
Villa designed the shears to provide unparalleled comfort, precision and control to maximize longevity behind the chair. The 100% Japanese steel and handcrafted convex blades glide smoothly though wet or dry hair and stay sharper longer. And the dual finger tang stabilizes the top blade allowing a stylist to cut straighter, more precise lines using just the thumb blade.
Learn more about Sam Villa Signature, Essential, Streamline and Classic Series Shears here.
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