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Barbers and hairdressers opening rules: Will I have to wear a face mask and can my stylist blow dry my hair?
THE END is near for desperate Brits who have been cutting and dyeing their own hair in lockdown with varying degrees of success.
Hairdressers and barbers are allowed to open from today, meaning the end to our mane misery is in sight.
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So, what will have changed when salons open? Will you be able to get your favourite cut and colour? Will you have to wear a mask? Here’s everything you need to know before your first visit...
1. When will barbers and hairdressers open?
Hairdressers and barbers can open from today - provided they can make their premises Covid-19 secure.
Personalal care premises are classed as "non-essential" shops which is why they weren't allowed to open before during lockdown.
All non-essential businesses have been shut since January 4th, when Boris Johnson announced the third national lockdown - but those in Tier 4 areas have had their salons shut for even longer.
The government's roadmap out of lockdown states "non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers, salons and close contact services; and indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and spas" will all be able to reopen from April 12.
Hairdressers were ordered to shut for four months in the March lockdown last year, and when they reopened, some salons offered extended trading times to fit everyone in.
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At the time, some stuck to their normal 9am-5pm hours, but others opened their doors as early as 4am and were working longer hours to get through their client list.
It's not known if this will happen again, but it's worth contacting your salon to find out their opening hours.
In order to cope with demand following the last lockdown, the owner of Canterbury-based salon 'The Chair' Katie Hancock told that she was planning to open from midnight until 4pm on July 4 - the day salons were allowed to reopen - to cope with the backlog of clients.
She said: "Obviously the health and safety of our clients and stylists is the priority. All of our services will take a bit longer than usual."
2. Will my barber and hairdresser/I have to wear a mask?
The British Beauty Council recommends that staff wear gloves, masks and gowns, while customers will also have to wear masks.
It is also recommended that staff use Type II face masks, made up of 3 ply construction, to minimise the risk of transmission.
Customers will have to provide details for the NHS Track and Trace and establishments must practice frequent cleaning and good hand hygiene.
Other guidelines include only "short and basic" services being offered to reduce the amount of time customers are in the chairs.
Following the first national lockdown, many salons introduced perspex screens above the basins and between working stations, which are set to stay this time around.
Some salons may wish to check the temperature of customers coming in, with London salon owner saying she did this last time around.
At the time, she said: "When the customer comes in we will measure their temperature with a scanner and antibacterial gel will be offered along with two face masks (in case one gets dirty).
"Our staff will also wear a mask and gloves and be have their temperature measured 3 to 5 times per day."
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3. Can I get a blow dry?
When salons reopened in July last year, they were forced to overhaul their treatments to comply with new measures.
For example, in some places blow-dries were not offered as hairdryers blast particles around the room, which could potentially compromise the entire salon.
It has not been confirmed if blow-dries will be allowed once more, however, it's likely, at least for now, the measures will remain the same.
, hair stylist at , previously told : "Due to the potential risk of the virus being transmitted through swift airflow and to reduce the time and volume of people in salons, what is apparent is the need to cut down, or out, blow drying the hair.
"Essentially, whether hair is long or short, the cut needs to aid styling so it can dry naturally without the need for a blow dry."
The main focus is now on the guidance related to the duration of time clients are allowed to spend in the hairdressers, which some stylists have blasted as "ambiguous".
4. How will social distancing work in the salon?
A "one-way system" was introduced in many salons after reopening last year to reduce interaction between people - and it's likley this will remain the same
You’ll likely go straight to your chair for your appointment and straight back out again to limit the time spent inside.
In order to comply with social distancing, some salons may have a limit on how many customers can be inside at any one time, or have a quota for each day - so it's best to check with you hair salon and arrive on time for your appointment.
And chairs are likely to be more spaced out than before the first lockdown with many salons already implementing this rule before being thrown into lockdown in January.
Hairdressers and barbers may also extend their opening hours as a way around this to try and see as many customers as possible, and staff may work rotas to minimise contact between them.
Good ventilation is required on the premises, meaning windows and doors will be kept open and fans used where possible.
"We have started a waiting list that has 100s of bookings already," says Gennaro.
"These will be appointments only and every salon, depending on the number of chairs, will make sure we have only the allowed amount of customers booked in at one time.";
5. Will I still be able to enjoy a coffee and a magazine?
Providing a small slice of salon normality, clients will be allowed to consume hot or cold drinks in disposable cups or bottles under new guidance.
But you can only remove your mask to sip your drink, with staff keeping a social distance whilst you do so.
Chief Executive of the British Beauty Council, Millie Kendall MBE says, "I am delighted we can serve hot beverages again in salons. It seems like such a small thing, but it is part of the experience and means we are getting closer to being able to have the full service we are renowned for."
Magazines may be off the cards though, min an effort to avoid transmission via the shared reading material.
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6. Will I have to do anything before an appointment?
Before being seen, it’s likely any potential customers will be asked to fill out a lengthy questionnaire, as before.
This would probably ask them about their health and well-being, and possibly their movements or interactions over the last seven days to ensure they don't have covid symptoms.
You may be asked to wash your hair before your appointment to cut down on how long you spend in the salon.
7. Can I still get the other treatments?
Beauty parlours are reopening with a vengeance ready to give Brits some well deserved TLC.
All treatments are on offer, subject to your salons abilities, but in some close contact treatments staff " should do everything they reasonably can to reduce risk."
During some treatments, clients will be unable to wear a face-covering which is deemed as a "high risk zone" - such as facial waxing, make-up application, and beard trimming.
Massages, tanning salons, and holistic therapies are allowed to recommence, but the duration of these may decrease to minimise contact and abide by the "one-in-one-out" policy.
What's more, Gina Conway of Aveda Salons & Spas previously told the that they'll be offering a "tint and go" option to customers.
Rather than spending hours waiting for your dye to develop in the salon, hairdressers will apply the tint and give customers a timer for when they can remove it at home.
However, all salons will defer, so again, check with yours and see what they offer.
8. Will a haircut cost more?
As workers will need to buy and wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), this cost could be passed on to the customer, something Gennaro says is inevitable.
"Prices will go up because we have been working on improving everything over these months to fight the crisis.
"Also with the new PPE equipment needed and sterilisation for things like brushes and scissors, prices have to increase to reflect that."
However, prices may have gone up following the last lockdown, and may or may not rise again - but ask about prices at your own salon ahead of your appointment.
Some salons could also implement a 'no cash' rule which will include tips - instead, customers will be asked to pay with card to reduce contact.
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9. Will I have to join a waiting list?
Whether or not you can walk in or will be told to join a waiting list will vary from salon to salon.
But considering the increased demand for their services and the social distancing measures they have to put in place, it's highly likely that you'll have to join one before you can go in for your cut and colour.
Speaking to the , celebrity hair stylist Michael Van Clarke revealed his Soho salon had a 3,000 waitlist for when they re-opened in July - and it's likely many will have the same now.
To cope with demand, hairdressers won't be fitting new hair extensions and the day will be split into two shifts - in doing this, Michael hopes they can see all the clients on the waitlist within three weeks of re-opening.
To reduce the number of people coming into the salon, customers will be expected to book their appointments either over the phone or online.
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