Trust us when we say this: keeping up with regular trims was the last thing on our minds while spending month after month in quarantine during the pandemic. Our sole focus was on staying safe and keeping healthy. But now that salons are finally opening up, we have started noticing shaggy split-ends, DIY bangs went wrong and the nightmarish ‘quick trim’ that BAE gave us as on a desperate Sunday afternoon!
Having said that, the question still remains: how safe is it to visit a salon for a post-quarantine haircut? While that query depends largely on the salon of your choice and what safety protocols they have in place, there are some things you can do to practice caution on your behalf. Here is the salon etiquette you need to follow during your first haircut post quarantine!
- Do your research
- Wear a protective mask on your visit
- Opt for basic services at first
- Follow timing and appointment etiquette
- Dress in simple layers and leave your accessories at home
Do your research
Did you know that the laws of hygiene and sanitation are part of beauty school courses designed for hairstylists? Make sure you do proper research on the salon of your choice, their social distancing policies, the experience of the staff and their reviews online. You can also look for testimonials from other clients who visited the salon after quarantine and see if they have their safety measures in place.
Wear a protective mask on your visit
This goes without saying — you MUST wear a face mask when visiting the salon. It is not just the responsibility of the salon staff to follow safety protocols, but yours as well. It is recommended to put on your protective mask as soon as you step out of your home; leave it on for the entirety of your visit and take it off only once you're back home. Do this to avoid any cross-contamination while removing and re-wearing the mask while out and about.
Opt for basic services at first
When stepping back into a salon post-quarantine, opt for simple services at first. While a normal haircut will reduce appointment time and contact chances, procedures like colouring or blow-outs can take longer and increase chances of contact with surfaces and people. So, start slow!
Follow timing and appointment etiquette
We are no longer living in a world where you can lounge on the salon sofa and sip on ginseng tea while waiting for your turn. Make sure you are following your appointment instructions and not burdening the salon staff by arriving early. Don’t be late either since most salons are following the one chair distance and alternative day protocol — missing even one appointment can hit their financial targets for the day.
Dress in simple layers and leave your accessories at home
Cute handbags are no longer a fashion essential in the post quarantine world! For your salon visit, dress in light layers (but make sure to cover up the skin as much as possible) and don’t carry jackets or bags that the salon might have to find a place for.
Other things to keep in mind are to pay online so that you don’t exchange cards and cash and always make sure you’re not sick before heading out to a salon.
Written by Sumona Bose on Aug 12, 2020
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!