Hondokondo

A headline from 26 years ago.

A recent study by a South African academic, Professor Nonhlanhla P. Khumalo, Head of Dermatology at the University of Cape Town, says people are badly exposed to blood-borne viral infections during haircuts at public barbershops. Its findings apply to any similar environments in Africa, including Zimbabwe and elsewhere. The November 2025 study, published in the South African Medical Journal, investigated the risk of transmission blood-borne infections and viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV) through haircuts and their association with conditions like Folliculitis Keloidalis Nuchae (FKN). Its core objective was mainly to determine if the popular "chiskop" - clean-shave haircut as it is widely called in township lingo in South Africa and the condition Folliculitis Keloidalis Nuchae (FKN) (keloid-like scars on the back of the head) - increase the risk of acquiring blood-borne diseases. The findings are damning. Men who regularly experience visible bleeding during haircuts are significantly more likely to be HIV-positive (OR = 2.51). In a cohort of over 1 100 men, the overall seroprevalence was 17.2% for HIV, 6.9% for HBV, and 0.4% for HCV. While FKN itself was not directly associated with a higher prevalence of these viruses, bleeding caused by the haircutting process is a confirmed risk factor. One clipper from each barber was collected immediately after it had been used for a clean shave haircut. Each clipper was rinsed with phosphate buffered saline and submerged in viral medium. Polymerase chain reaction testing was then used to identify a blood specific RNA marker, haemoglobin beta, as well as hepatitis B virus and HIV. Chiskop or clean shave haircut was found to be the most popular yet risky hairstyle, accounting for 78% of clients. Of the clippers collected, 42% tested positive for haemoglobin beta, confirming the presence of blood. None however tested positive for HIV, while four clippers, representing 8%, were positive for hepatitis B virus. Two clippers were positive on qualitative hepatitis B PCR testing. Genetic analysis showed one sample clustering with genotype A sequences from South Africa, India, Brazil and Martinique, while another clustered with South African genotype D sequences identical to a subtype D sequence previously identified in Gauteng province. While HIV was not detected on the clippers in that specific sample, 8% of the clippers tested positive for Hepatitis B (HBV). The DNA copies found were sufficient to pose a legitimate transmission risk. “This study confirms that there is significant contamination of barber hair clippers with blood and blood-borne viruses,” the study says. “Hepatitis B was detected with enough DNA copies to pose a risk of transmitting infection. Although HIV was not detected in this small study, the risk of transmission should be quantified.” Khumalo has a long history of research on haircut-associated virus risks, with the following studies associated with her works: "Blood and virus detection on barber clippers": Published in the South African Medical Journal in March 2018. "Invisible Bleeding from Clean-Shave Haircuts": Published in the journal Dermatology in October 2013. "Folliculitis keloidalis nuchae, bleeding from haircuts, and potential HIV transmission": Published in AIDS Care in May 2008. One of her critical contributions is the identification of "invisible bleeding". Using sensitive RNA markers (hemoglobin beta and albumin), Khumalo's team proved that blood is often present on the scalp after a clean-shave haircut even when there are no visible injuries or cuts. This suggests standard barbering practices can facilitate blood-to-tool-to-blood contact without the barber or client being aware of an injury. In her recommendations, Khumalo called for more public awareness of viral infection risks, barber training, and stricter adherence to clipper sterilisation protocols in salons to prevent the spread of HBV and HIV.