GREAT BRITISH GLOW-UP
Beauty, nail and tanning salons reopen: Customers indulge in manicures and sunbeds as beauticians open their doors
BEAUTY salons across Britain opened their doors this morning in the latest phase of lockdown restrictions being lifted.
Nail bars, tattoo and massage studios, body and skin piercing services, physical therapy businesses and spas will all be able to welcome customers again - as long as meet the government's strict guidelines.
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All were among the many businesses that closed temporarily back in March, due to coronavirus restrictions.
And while hairdressers were able to reopen earlier this month, beauty salons have had to wait until today to do so, with unkempt customers chomping at the bit to be preened and pampered.
Ieassha Mcqueen, 18, wasted no time booking herself into Madame Tan in Chirton, North Shields where she had her fist sunbed session in three months.
Meanwhile in Oxton, Birkenhead Lynsey Scott treated herself to a baby pink manicure in the Beauty Rooms.
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Of course things looked a little different when beauty salons reopened.
To meet government guidelines, all staff in such businesses are required to wear a visor that covers their face or use a screen that protects both the practitioner and the customer, if the two metre social distancing measures cannot be maintained.
And, where possible, equipment may also be spaced out to maintain social distancing, reducing their capacity to serve customers.
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The guidelines beauty salons will need to follow
- Beauty salon owners will need to ensure they use screens or barriers to separate clients from each other, and to separate practitioners from clients.
- Clients will need to book appointments before hand to minimise the number of customers in the salon.
- Members of staff will need to ensure they are frequently washing their hands and cleaning surfaces and equipment.
- Skin to skin contact should be avoided and practitioners must try to wear gloves where possible.
- Customers must not bring food or drinks into salons.
- Establishments must make sure there is sufficient spacing between customer chairs and also ensure a limited and fixed number of workers work together.
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Skin-to-skin contact should also be avoided and premises should be thoroughly cleaned and disposable equipment used where possible, with increased hand washing facilities.
This means that not all beauty procedures can go ahead, however, with many still being off limits for customers until further notice.
Treatments such as face waxing, eyelash treatments, make-up application and facial treatments should not be provided due to the much greater risk of germs being spread.
As well as dermarolling, dermaplaning, microblading and electrolysis on the face due to the close contact needed.
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Manicures, pedicures and body waxes have been given the green light, though.
These guidelines come after the government was urged to ensure "stricter enforcement" of coronavirus rules in England after complaints that some hairdressers were failing to wear visors or ensure social distancing when they opened at the start of July.
The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF), which represents the industry, said it wanted the Government to ensure rules were being followed as it was unfair on businesses that carried out their work safely.
While it's believed most salons have been adhering to the guidelines, questions have been raised as to what measures are in place to catch those failing to comply.
What treatments are available and what is still banned
What you CAN'T get:
- Face waxing, sugaring or threading services
- Facial treatments
- Advanced facial (electrical or mechanical)
- Eyelash treatments
- Make-up application
- Dermarolling
- Dermaplaning
- Microblading
- Electrolysis on the face
- Eyebrow treatments
What you CAN get:
- Manicures
- Pedicures
- Leg waxing
- Bikini waxing
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According to , reports have been made by customers who have said some members of staff haven't been wearing the mandatory visor.
One customer claimed that the staff member doing her hair refused to wear one because "they're horrible and steam up".
And said that she had considered reporting the salon, but "it would appear the guidance is not backed up with legislation, so there isn't anyone to actually report her to".
While rules in Scotland and Wales are based in legislation, those in England are instead based on guidance which is not in itself legally enforceable.
Although Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does have powers to fine or even imprison business owners found not to comply with the rules, and for customers wanting to make a complaint can do so via HSE or their local council.
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Another women, who owns a tattoo shop, was shocked to discover a near by hair salon had failed to ensure social distancing between customers or wear proper protective gear.
She said: "They had four people obviously not related sat together waiting on a couch, no social distancing.
"Then cutting hair, no gloves, visor or mask present on either the client or the barber."
After being contacted about the breaches, the NHBF said: "The National Hair & Beauty Federation strongly advises that hairdressers and barbers follow the guidance issued by the Government for England.
"The guidelines are based on the most up to date scientific evidence. Face visors must be worn by anyone carrying out hairdressing, barbering or beauty activities.
"The NHBF would welcome stricter enforcement because it's only fair that all businesses stick to the same rules, which also give greater protection to the public and to the people working in salons and barbershops."
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