The Case for Community: Overcoming Health & Hair Loss Barriers

We often hear that beauty practices are synonymous with self-care, and S.T.R.A.N.D. co-founders Susan L. Peterkin and Dr. Chesahna Kindred took that concept to the community to provide dermatologic and hair care consultations to underserviced individuals. Over the past four months, S.T.R.A.N.D. (Stylists Training, Researching, and Networking with Dermatologists) hosted four community events where a team of stylists and dermatologists hosted panels, discussions, styling sessions, and free consultations to offer an approach to hair loss that marries wellness and medical treatments.

“Before our community events, we only educated other cosmetologists on how to partner with dermatologists to treat hair loss. But we soon realized that educating the community is just as crucial. They need clarity on the first steps to take. As a stylist, I know the power we have to open our clients to vulnerable conversations like hair loss in a way that is unique to the salon experience.”- Susan L. Peterkin

For many people, the anxiety of finding a new stylist or healthcare provider starts with one overwhelming question: Where do I begin? That uncertainty is amplified when the concern is highly specialized, such as hair loss. Add to that the barriers of finding culturally competent medical providers and texture-capable stylists, and access becomes even more limited. To address this gap, S.T.R.A.N.D. launched four activations, including Your Skin & Your Scalp brunches, a community expo presence, and a pop-up dermatologic salon, all designed to teach consumers how to find the right stylist–dermatologist partnership while debunking misinformation.

“Hair loss is both a health and cosmetic concern, often signaling something deeper happening in the body. It can stem from causes like stress or psoriasis, which worsen if untreated. Stylists are often the first to notice these early changes, making them critical in encouraging diagnosis and treatment. And as Susan always says: time equals follicles. The longer alopecia progresses, the less chance there is for regrowth.”– Dr. Chesahna Kindred

This summer, S.T.R.A.N.D. founders and ambassadors brought activations to Maryland, New Orleans, and Birmingham, partnering with local dermatologists and stylists. Together, they led panels and consultations that debunked hair loss myths, shared treatment options, and connected attendees with culturally competent dermatologists and texture-trained stylists.

Pop-Up Dermatologic Salon – New Orleans

Over the Fourth of July weekend, S.T.R.A.N.D. transformed an art gallery into a salon experience during the annual Essence Festival. Attendees received free festival-ready hairstyles alongside private consultations with dermatologists and stylists. The pop-up also included panel discussions covering causes of hair loss, wellness practices, navigating healthcare systems, and tips for healthy hair care.

Your Scalp & Your Skin Community Day – Maryland

Hosted at their dermatologic salon, Susan and Dr. Kindred led a brunch discussion that debunked hair loss misinformation, demystified cosmetic marketing, shared treatment options, and answered attendee questions. S.T.R.A.N.D. Ambassador Stylists joined to discuss healthy hair care practices and to guide attendees toward stylists trained in monitoring and treating hair loss in collaboration with medical professionals. A parallel technical class gave stylists hands-on training for in-salon styling options while advancing conversations about toxic chemical exposure in the salon environment.

Magic City Expo – Birmingham

S.T.R.A.N.D. offered a booth activation and panel discussion, providing free on-site consultations and hair care assessments. Attendees met with dermatologists and stylists for guidance, diagnoses, and hair care advice, ensuring they left with actionable knowledge and resources for early and effective treatment. Local dermatologists Dr Tiffany Mayo and Dr Corey Hartment were recruited to contribute to panel discussions and accept patient referrals.

Your Scalp & Your Skin Community Day – BirminghamIn partnership with Darrius Peace of Hayah Beauty, S.T.R.A.N.D. hosted a brunch and panel where Susan and Dr. Kindred, joined by Dr. Hope Mitchell and Anita Hill Moses, led conversations that debunked misinformation and provided clear treatment guidance. The event also connected attendees to Birmingham-area dermatologists and stylists capable of forming the critical “stylist + dermatologist” partnership at the heart of S.T.R.A.N.D.’s mission.

Community ImpactTo date, S.T.R.A.N.D.’s community activations have:

• Served 440+ individuals directly

• Reached 30,064 impressions and 72,186 views on social media

• Led to 70% of attendees seeking a diagnosis where consultations were offered

• Resulted in 91% receiving a previously unknown diagnosis

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These findings confirm what many already know: access to dermatologists trained to treat Black and Brown patients remains limited.

“It comes down to knowledge and access. Stylists may be the first to notice hair loss, but not all know what to look for or how to track it properly. Meanwhile, misinformation is rampant. That means people are losing valuable time, and follicles, while trying ineffective treatments with the best intentions.”– Susan L. Peterkin

What’s Next

For more information on these events—or to attend as press—please connect with us here