Which hairdressing service might be off the menu when salons resume service?
For anyone who is waiting to get their roots touched up, it feels an age since hairdressers closed their doors.
But the end is in sight, with salons expected to open next month in July.
Dominic Raab has previously said, “From July 4th, at the earliest, we’ll look at other sectors and that will include hospitality, but it will also include personal care and people like hairdressers.”
But what will salons look like when they open again, and how will social distancing measures affect the treatments on offer?
One of the hairdressing services that may now be completely off the menu – at least for now – is a traditional blow dry.
“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,” Kat De Rozario, hair stylist at Josh Wood Atelier, explained to Stylist.
MORE: The best hair dryer for a professional blow dry at home – whether your hair is curly, fine or frizzy
“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.”
That’s not great news for those of us who have been dreaming of walking out of the salon with some Duchess Catherine-style bounce, but it’s a small price to pay if we can still have our roots and split ends tended to (plus, it’s easier to recreate a blow dry at home than you think).
Tim Hartley, a world-famous hairdresser has also echoed this sentiment. He told Wales Online that ditching blow dries will be more hygienic, as well as opting for a bob hairstyle. He said, “We have to think about maximising hygiene. The sooner the long tresses of yesterday are dispensed with, the more hygienic it will be for us all.
“The hour-long blow dries in the salon are no longer safe for the stylist or the client. Research suggests the Covid-19 virus is transmitted much easier through a swift airflow.”
Lockdown hairstyles: how will hairdressers be styling hair in salons?
Hairdressers are likely to only be able to blow dry shorter styles, as they require less blow-drying time, or cut out the blow drying all together.
Stylists have also revealed they’re set to get more creative with setting hair using rollers and a heat lamp to create that bouncy effect without blow drying, as well as plaits and braids for a natural, beach look.
“I’ll be doing a lot of cuts that require minimal styling – preferably with tongs – and have longevity,” Kat told Stylist.
“For some, that means short hair that can be grown out for months, or for those with longer hair it might mean the weight is taken out and some shaping added so it can still be tied up and out of the way.”
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Keith Conniford, CEO of the Hair and Barber Council, told w&h that salons have been busy making plans to support the industry when the lockdown is eased.
MORE: The most hygienic haircut to opt for after lockdown, according to a hairdressing pro
“One of the critical things that businesses need to do is ensure that they feel the health, safety and hygiene of their premises is as safe as possible for them to come in and get their hair done, or whatever service they’re going to have.”
