Inclusive Scalp and Hair Care in Nursing Practice

Scalp and hair care are routine nursing responsibilities, yet many nurses receive little formal preparation in assessing the scalp; recognizing hair-related risks; and adapting care for diverse hair textures, types, and styles. As a result, clinically important findings may be overlooked, including tangling or matting, traction-related pain or hair loss, scalp irritation, and pressure-related injury. These gaps can compromise comfort, dignity, person-centered care, and equitable practice in hospitalized patients. This article describes the goals of routine scalp and hair assessment; presents a simplified four-category framework for care according to hair type, as well as different hairstyles; and reviews practical considerations for individualized inpatient hair care. Reframing hair care as an integral component of nursing assessment and daily care planning, this work provides a practical approach for integrating scalp and hair assessment into routine practice. By emphasizing clinical decision-making related to cleansing, conditioning, detangling, protective styles, and scalp safety, it offers guidance on reducing avoidable harm and providing respectful, individualized care across diverse patient populations.