With the COVID-19 virus running rampant globally, where hairdressing salons and other “contact” businesses are still opening it is recommended that extraordinary procedures be enacted to guarantee safety for all.
As the COVID-19 pandemic begins its exponential spread in the United States, Cosmetologists Chicago, an organization dedicated to education, opportunity and legislative representation for salon professionals, is providing salons with the resources they need to continue serving and protecting clients from contracting the disease and eventually spreading it to friends, families and acquaintances.
Indeed, Cosmetologists Chicago has laid out comprehensive safety and hygiene guidelines specifically developed for the salon experience to help ensure that salons remain safe and healthy environments and reassure clients that everything is being done to keep the situation under control.
in addition to encouraging professionals to be proactive in following standards set by the CDC, including washing hands regularly, encouraging staff to stay home when sick and disinfecting frequent touch-points, such as doorknobs, more specific precautions should also be taken.
“As beauty professionals, we regularly disinfect our tools with barbicide, wear gloves while we work and wipe down our stations after appointments. These are standard practices in our industry. We’re simply following them even more diligently to ensure our clients can enjoy their services safely,” says Karen Gordon, President of Cosmetologists Chicago. “We also encourage salon owners to waive cancellations fees and encourage customers to stay home if they feel sick.”
Additional safety precautions for salon professionals include:
· Wiping down stations and chairs with anti-bacterial wipes after each appointment
· Utilize new, fresh supplies with each client where possible (e.g. towels, capes, etc.)
· Never re-use disposable supplies
· Wash hands after each client interaction
· Disinfect lobby areas and cashier stations
· Wear and dispose of gloves after each client
“By fostering open communication between licensed beauty professionals and their clients, we believe that salon services can be safely performed through the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Frank P. Fulco, Chief Executive Officer of Cosmetologists Chicago.
In addition to the above measures, hairdressers in Italy began taking initiatives relatively early also by limiting salon traffic and rescheduling appointments to keep interaction between staff and clients at a minimum. Today all salons and most businesses other than grocery stores and pharmacies are all closed under the general lock-down until April 3rd.
Cosmetologists Chicago, as the organizers of America’s Beauty Show, will continue to monitor the evolving situation surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and will immediately notify its members should the show be postponed to guarantee a safe experience for professionals who intend to participate.
In the meantime, these are sound measures for all salons around the globe that continue to be operative during these difficult times.
To learn more about Cosmetologists Chicago and for regular updates on proactively protecting salons, please visit Facebook or Instagram. For questions regarding the organization and their educational efforts, please contact info. For all other questions, please contact Cosmetologists Chicago at 312-321-6809.
