Post the lockdown, your biggest priority is to up your salons hygiene game. Vaishali Shah, Founder and Director, LTA Academy is here to help you through the process. Catch the video on our YouTube page – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdBtgw_W4dA
In a session on #PBQuaranLive, Vaishali Shah, Founder and Director, LTA Academy guided the salon owners through the changes that each salon will have to go through post the lockdown is lifted. Here are the key takeaways from that session:
1) Must-have measures for the salons
- Adopt a ‘new normal’ and transform a clean salon into a safe salon.
- Instead of just sanitization, practice disinfection and sterilization extensively.
- Sterilize your tools two to three times a day be it Mani/Pedi tools, scissors.
- Make use of Autoclave machines instead of UV rays for sterilization. Autoclaves sterilize by raising the temperature and it takes up to 45 minutes.
- Space out your appointments. Practice 2m distance between two clients. It may reduce your clients but you can increase your working hours to catch up your board clientele.
2) Investment from the salon to exercise hygienic practices
- Make a PPE kit for your clients. Give your clients a mask which they can use within the salon. A small hand sanitizer, personal aprons or gowns.
- For staff – Mask is not even an option. It is mandatory. They should make use of eye gears. For hairdressers, a face viser would be beneficial. Use two pairs of gloves. Make sure the gloves are tucked into your sleeves properly.
3) How to treat clients once they enter the salon?
- Entrance -Install sanitizing tunnels if your budget permits. Sanitizing booths at the entrance with hand sanitizers or sensor-based sanitizer will be beneficial.
- At reception – No magazines, newspapers or salon menu should be kept. Print the salon menu and stick it on the reception wall. You can also install an acrylic shield glass on the reception front.
- Waiting area – Put plastic or cling film wrap on the sofa or keep plastic or wooden chairs that can be easily disinfected.
- Provide refreshments in a disposable glass.
4)Treatments
- Waxing – The beds need to be disinfected in front of the clients, assuring them about safety. Use IPA/ Rubbing alcohol to disinfect. If you are using waxing cartage there’s no scope of cross-infection. In case of normal waxing with a spatula, adapt to a single dip or no double-dip method. Dispose of your wax strips in a bag and then dustbin. Use gloves of the correct size. Once the client leaves, sanitize/sterilize everything. Hydroperoxide disinfectant evaporates in the air but with Benzalkonium chloride disinfectant you need to wipe the surface as it doesn’t evaporate. Also, wipe in one direction.
- Facials – Make use of vinyl gloves for facials and body massages, as they are thin. You can use massagers or any equipment by disinfecting them well.
- Makeup – Make use of disposable brushes. Keep multiple sets at hand. Sterilize your brushes and use them after 10 to 15 minutes between two clients. Decant your products. Use a separate mixing plate for each client. Use brush cleansers.
- Threading – Do not thread with hands. Practice loop threading tied around your gloves or even on your neck.
- Haircut – Maintain 2m distance between two clients. Provide your clients with disposable capes or disposable neck collars. Shampooing is mandatory before performing any hair-related services. Use the lockdown period to practice the art of hairdressing with gloves on.
- Manicure and Pedicure – Clean your pedi tubs with water and soap or take a step ahead. Place a plastic disposable bag on the tub. Keep a disinfectant liquid at hand and dip or place your mani/pedi tools in it. If feasible, use new mani-pedi kits for every new client. Give them the nail polish bottles.
5) Key pointers
- With proper sanitization and sterilization policies at hand, any salon can perform any services.
- Keep a check on your clients health. Temperature checks are needed to be done.
- Use this time for team training, repetitively reinforce the safety guideline and make your teammates understand the importance of hygienic practices.
- Client communication needs to be clear.