Sooooo What's The Deal With Hairdressers And Visors?

The news that hairdressers will finally reopen next month was met with cries of joy from women across Britain.

Exactly three months to the day since salons and barbers were ordered to batten down the hatches, Boris Johnson confirmed that the ban will finally be lifted on Saturday 4th July.

But while it's great news for split ends, outgrown roots (and in some cases, dodgy DIY trims) the next part of his announcement left one big question mark hanging over our long-awaited cuts and blow-dries.

Addressing the House of Commons earlier this week, Boris said: "Almost as eagerly awaited as a pint will be a hair cut, not least by myself, and so we will reopen hairdressers with appropriate precautions, including the use of visors."

Visors? cried women up and down the country in mass confusion. Where does one get a visor? Can you sip coffee while wearing it? And most importantly, can you physically get your hair cut while wearing one?

In a bid to get some much-needed clarity, we spoke to experts from across the industry - and took a look at how other countries are introducing PPE into their salons.

Will I have to wear a visor?

While official government guidance is somewhat vague, most salons will follow a similar approach to Italy, where stylists are required to wear a clear plastic visor and clients wear standard face masks (other countries, like the Netherlands, have been slightly less stringent).

At luxury salon chain Hershesons, customers will be provided with visors, with CEO Luke Hersheson telling Tyla: "We won't insist they are worn but it's up to how each client feels most comfortable."

CEO and co-founder of Uvence, Reece Tomlinson, tells Tyla: "Hairdressers will be utilising PPE including visors and protection screens to ensure the safety of their clients, which I am sure will be mirrored across the beauty sector as a whole as the rest of the industry is given the green light to reopen."

He adds: "What we have seen across Europe at hair and beauty salons is likely to be mirrored in the UK. Most hair salons will ask customers to wear a mask at all times and hairdressers will also be asked to wear appropriate PPE when in close contact.

"The screens installed will come between chairs or places where customers cannot be kept at a safe distance from each other which will of course vary from business to business."

What other safety procedures will be in place?

At London hairdresser SALON64, a member of staff will be taking temperatures of clients upon arrival to ensure it is safe for them to enter, with staff dressed head toe in masks, shields, aprons and gloves.

Elsewhere, protective screens will be placed in between each client as well as face masks and sanitisers for clients to wear. Customers will also be offered single-use gowns which decompose at the same speed as a banana skin - so not only are they eco-friendly, but also hygienic (clever, eh?). They've also replaced mugs with reusable keep cups.

Luke Hersheson adds: "We won't have magazines and we will ask you not to come with friends and hang out - which is against our ethos - but needs must at the moment.

"We have a few screens around the spaces and we will be using an app for tipping, going cashless - essentially speeding up the digitalisation that was happening anyway. Cleaning is being increased and there will be visible anti bac dispensers."

Buckle up; it's a brave new world out there, ladies!

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock

Topics: Hair and Beauty, Life News, Style News, Hair, Health

Unity Blott

Unity Blott is the Editor at Tyla. You can contact her on [email protected].

@UnityBlott