MUSBA HASHMI speaks with beauty experts and stakeholders about how the pandemic has completely changed the experience of visiting a salon
The COVID-19 has drastically changed our lives. Things that we took for granted and did without even questioning the hygiene standards today, has us paranoid. But the lockdown that followed due to Coronavirus meant that many of us missed the grooming that we were so used to. Now that the Government has allowed salons to open, albeit the guidelines, people are all set to sit on the grooming seats again.
While some may find it strange but a bride dressed to the nines with a matching mask and the beauticians covered with PPE kits has become the new normal. You step into a salon only to find higher than ever hygiene practices in place. Unfortunately, social distancing norms go for a toss in the not-so-big salons.
The life post lockdown has changed including the experience of visiting a salon, which was once considered as a place to relax and unwind. The fear of catching infections from a public place is marring the purpose, but then there are people who are tired of experimenting with DIY hair styles and a visit to the salon is the only option.
However, salons and parlours are taking all safety measures to eliminate the risk of infection. A case in point is L’Oréal Professionals.
“After the Unlock 1.0 was announced and with the gradual reopening of services and salons in mind, we developed a ‘Back to Business’ hygiene and safety guide for our salons outlining hygiene and operating guidelines. We will also be helping hairdressers exceed the usual salon safety and sanitary measures, to keep themselves and clients safe by supplying masks, hand sanitisers along with new operating guidelines,” says DP Sharma, Director, Professional Products Division, L’Oréal India.
This guide was distributed to 45,000-strong salon network and over 1.7 lakh hairdressers, ahead of the lockdown restrictions being lifted. The support guide includes post-lockdown advice around ensuring the safety and wellbeing of customers and employees; safer operating procedures; including hand cleansing, tool disinfecting, salon routing, pre-booking, reorganisation of salons to space out appointments and electronic payment, all to ensure social distancing requirements. These guidelines are now available to all hairdressers or salon partners — L’Oréal Professionnel, Matrix, Kérastase and Cheryl’s Cosmeceuticals.
It goes without saying that people will have certain apprehensions therefore to gain the customer's confidence, the brand is encouraging salons to share measures they are taking on social media.
“Communication is key and letting your customers know that you are taking new, extra measures to ensure their personal health and wellbeing will be vital to building trust. We are encouraging the staff to post all the precautions taken on social media so that people know that we are abiding by the norms. We have engaged with local TV channels, where salons have reopened, for a walkthrough so they can capture the measures adopted to ensure safety and hygiene and communicate these initiatives to a wider audience. When consumers get a preview of the precautions at their trusted salon, from a trusted media channel, their confidence is reinforced.
We are also encouraging our salon partners to share testimonials from customers that have already visited the salon, as the real-life experience of a satisfied customer is one of the most convincing ways to convey a salon is safe and ready for you,” Sharma tells you.
Even if the salons are following the precautions to a T, there are certain services that are expected to see a decline. “Personal grooming is intrinsic to us, and the services that come under it — haircuts, colour services, hair spa treatments — remain integral to creating an overall sense of wellbeing and beauty. We expect all these services to bounce back. Some will bounce back sooner than others like haircuts and root touch-ups for greys. While others, with more personal and close contact, like threading and waxing, could see a bit of a decline in the near future. Eventually, however, these services will all find their place back in our lives,” he tells you.
Aashmeen Munjal, Director, Star Salon & Academy agrees with Sharma and says customers are more inclined towards getting haircuts and hair colour. Waxing and threading is not in demand. “Even facials have seen a decline, people are just replacing it with bleach, which requires less contact,” Munjal says.
To promote hygienic threading services, Munjal says, the staff is being trained to use the thread with their neck instead of mouth. Finger scissors are also taken in use for threading, to minimise the contact between the client and the beautician.
Not only the services are witnessing a massive change but also the design and setup of salons is evolving. “We have removed waiting sofas from our salons to maintain social distancing. Our staff are staying in well prepared and sanitised rooms. There are six rooms in the salon and only one customer is allowed in one go. Even at the reception, there is only one person to attend customers. Overall, it’s a completely different structure with less staff,” she explains.
Neha Sharma, Director, Lucullan Studios, tells you that they have mandated the Arogaya Setu app for all customers and staff. “We do regular temperature checks of our staff in front of the client and vice versa, to ensure customer satisfaction. The studio is sanitised after every use. All the tools are properly disinfected at regular intervals. We are also promoting digital payment methods,” she tells you.
