It is important to understand that beauty treatments involve physical contact with professionals. Procedures like manicure, pedicure, waxing, facial, haricuts etc. cannot be performed without proximity. To keep maximum protection, salons are following strict hygiene protocols such as sanitisation, using masks and so on. In such a scenario, it is important to take precautions on your part and be extra careful. The lockdown restrictions might have eased up and if permitted by the government, the beauty and cosmetic industry may begin operations. Despite guidelines that salons need to follow, you as a client too, need to be careful.
Here are some tips that could ensure you stay protected.
1) Make an Appointment
Yes, you may have been a regular client at the salon. But, the days when they could squeeze you in without an appointment are over. The salons can take in only a limited number of clients at a time to maintain social distancing. Respect their efforts. Call up your beauty professional before showing up at the salon. Always check your temperature and health before making an appointment.
2) Download the Arogya Setu App
The government has made it important for people to download the app. It is necessary to download the app to avoid any compliance issue. The app uses your location data to understand which location you fall under (red, orange, green) and calculates the number of patients in that particular area so one gets a clear picture. You may be asked to show the same at the salon. Also, be willing to fill up some forms regarding your travel history and health conditions. Do not create unnecessary complications for your beauty therapist. Remember, all the rules have been laid out for your protection too. It is good to be a responsible customer and take necessary precautions before you decide going to a salon.
3) Cancel Appointment if Unwell
The salon has the right to deny you service if you turn up with cold or fever. So, if you think you or anyone from your family is unwell, do not visit the salon. Cancel the appointment right away. Also, if you visit the salon if you have a very mild feeling of being unwell, avoid using the seats in the waiting area to avoid close contact with others. If you are in a common resting room, follow the floor markings, if any, to follow social distancing.
4) Ensure Everyone wears Face Masks
Ensure you wear your face mask throughout your time inside the salon. Also check if all the staff members have face masks to cover their nose and mouth. It would be even better if they can treat you with a face shield on. Check if you salon has such an arrangement while making the appointment over phone or email. Always wear a face mask that fits you well. You do not want to keep touching your face to adjust the face mask frequently. Click to know how to use and discard face masks.
Also, check if the salon is using single-use kits for all services. This will eliminate sharing of products between customers and rule of contraction of any infections.
5) Carry a Hand Sanitiser
Sanitising your hands has become important than ever before. Avoid stepping out without a hand sanitiser in your bag. A salon has a lot of high touch surfaces that you may touch unwittingly. As it may not be possible for you to wash your hands, carry a hand sanitiser in your bag. It helps fight germs to a great extent. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser such as those available from Lifebuoy. Check the instructions on the pack to understand correct usage instructions. Know how to use sanitiser to get the best results. Sanitise your hands every time you touch a doorknob or chair or any other surface in the salon.
6) Keep Your Items Away
The more items you carry to a public place, larger the risk you attract. It is said that the germs can survive on surfaces for up to 24 hours or more. Try to carry lesser belongings with you in order to reduce the risk of transmitting germs during the service. Carry only the items that you will need in the salon. Try to remove and keep your jewelry at home. It is ideal if you can keep your wristwatch or mobile phone inside your bag before the service begins. Do not place them on the table that is being touched by everyone else as that would increase the risk to the greater extent. Wear face mask and practice social distancing as much as possible. If possible, wear gloves during your visit to the salon and avoid touching your face after coming in contact with different surfaces.
7) Wash Your Clothes
Germs can survive on clothes for up to 2 days or more. Thus, washing your clothes thoroughly is vital as it comes in contact with various surfaces in the salon. After you return home from the visit to the salon, we suggest you to wash your garments thoroughly to ensure safety. Use a good detergent to do your laundry. Check the care label on the garment and wash at the highest hot temperature recommended on it. Hot water kills germs to a large extent. After washing them, it is important to sanitise your garments as well. You could use a good laundry sanitiser like the Lifebuoy Laundry Sanitiser. Always check the instructions on the pack before use and test on a small area first. After washing your clothes, dry them properly before storing them away. You can dry your white clothes in natural sunlight as it acts as a natural disinfectant.
And there you go! We know that it is difficult to wait for a long due salon visit. With some precautions, you can ensure your salon visit becomes a safe experience. The next time you want to visit a salon, keep this guide handy; and to encourage hygiene around you, share it with your friends and family too.
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