At the beginning of the Corona crisis, my friend went into his local barbershop in a bustling city on a slow day, with no fewer than 10 people waiting in a small reception area to get their haircut.
Now, we are trying to get back to business as usual. However, we still need to protect ourselves and others from risk.
One thing is sure, post-COVID 19 salons will never be the same. This pandemic has changed life as we knew it.
What have we learned? Maybe life should imitate art and look like a futuristic movie where nobody touches each other.
Virtual haircuts and chemical services still have a long way to go before they’re just as good as a professional Hairstylist.*
We will answer:
What equipment and PPE do You need?
Why is continuing education necessary?
What new mindset should you be concerned with going forward?
Salon Checklist for Re-Opening:
- Eliminate everything that other people touch
- BYOM – Bring Your Own Magazine or reading material.
- No product testers – Instead, offer product samples.
- Limit self-serve water dispensers and coffee machines.
- Go Contactless payment methods (a good reason to go cashless if possible)
- Touchless Paper, soap, hand sanitizer dispensers
- Motion sensor light switches
- Signage:
- Use (like motels do) for times when you want Walk-In traffic
- Legal disclaimer Sign: stating you reserve the right to turn away any ill person or those showing symptoms
- Distancing floor stickers
- Display your Stylist and Salon training COVID Certificates
- Extra Laundry Duty
- All Capes, towels, must be washed in HOT water, and Completely dried after every person (except plastic or vinyl which you can disinfect)
- Don’t forget to properly store your clean linens in a closed container to avoid contamination
- Allow more time between clients.
- You’ll need extra time for:
- cleaning and disinfecting: Plastic or Vinyl capes, Styling chair, shampoo chair & sink, hooded hair dryer, bathroom
- Avoid going over the maximum capacity and prevent your clients from waiting outside.
- Require Appointment Scheduling
- Avoid double-booking unless you have the room.
- Salon Reception is the first line of defense and the gateway to safety:
- In addition to the regular receptionist duties have to add to the load by:
- Requiring face masks upon entry
- Hand Sanitizer
- Temperature Checks (digital thermometer)
- Filling out Client Consent Forms
- Extra cleaning and disinfecting of doors, switches, counters, phones, products, and shelves
- Waiting Area:
- Arrange furniture for social distancing
- Disinfect furniture frequently (every 1-2 hours)
- You can’t disinfect Fabric furniture
- if you’re thinking of upgrading now’s a good time
- Workstations:
- Hand Sanitizer, Hospital-grade wipes & Lysol spray at each workstation.
- Re-position work stations farther apart for social distancing or block off every other
- Increased space is needed, and fewer people can be serviced at the same time.
- Regularly Review Cleaning and disinfecting procedures and other safety measures.
- Since new protocols are being handed out constantly by local authorities keep up-to-date. It’s always prudent to err on the side of caution rather than let your guard down.
- PPE kits for every employee, including:
- Hand Sanitizer, Hospital-grade wipes & Disinfectant spray at each workstation.
- Single-use gloves
- Face Masks
- Face shields
- Work uniform or cap that can be washed everyday
PRO TIP: Keep Mouthwash on hand for fresher feeling while wearing a mask
- Air quality and air filtering
- In PHASE 4 of re-opening, the NY Mayor is one requiring malls and indoor areas to have Adequate air filtering for the AC system before they can open.
- In another state, Hair Professionals are petitioning for permission to practice Hairdressing outside. Usually, this would go against all ideas of hygiene. However, since our current pandemic is not only P2P transmittable, it’s also airborne. So keeping the air quality high is essential for reopening.
- Plastic shields:
- Plastic acrylic shields reduce face to face contact.
Shielding between workstations is a good idea and also can add privacy. I’ve even seen where it added to the spa feeling
Plexiglass Shielding during hair cutting and other hair services is a bit impractical, but many are trying to make it work.
Why is Continuing Education so important?
Scientists are learning new things every day, and this knowledge can have a significant impact on the way we deal with infectious diseases and pathogens.
If you have let your license lapse or live where you’re not required to take a continuing education course, it’s still essential to keep up with the latest information. We want to get back to business. However, we must protect public health and safety.
Here are some valuable OSHA hair salon guidelines
A NEW mindset
If you feel bad, STAY home. Why is that a NEW mindset?
Most of us shrug off illness and carry on, no matter what.
We allow our clients to pressure us into coming in. The reason we accept bullying is that rescheduling them can be challenging.
COVID-19 has shown us that no one will die from not getting their hair done.
However, we will be saving lives by giving priority to health and wellbeing.
So we should adopt the theater’s mentality of “the show must go on.” The actors always have an understudy to take over at any time.
Mentorship is nothing new in the hair industry. So we should swallow some pride and have confidence in our apprentice to step in when we need them, such as illness.
*My husband had an aha moment. His suggestion: “You and Your assistant can have a video conference to give them needed guidance, and you can feel like you’re still in control.”
The point is public health and safety should be our top priority.
Clients also pressure us to service them at home.
Unless you live where there are no restrictions, generally, by law, all appointments are to be scheduled through an established salon. They must meet specific requirements to comply with the rules and regulations demanded by the Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR).
Failure to comply can result in fines and loss of Professional Licensing.
In Conclusion
These are just a few ideas and reminders for protecting yourself and your customers. You’ll find links to resources for educating yourself. Everyone must decide how they will handle their own salon reopening based on local laws and circumstances.
PLEASE share with us any other helpful information. We’d love to hear from you.
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