Ready to get a real haircut or massage again? Many of us are after a year’s worth of pandemic stress. So now that more people are getting vaccinated, is it safe to go back to salons and spas for blowouts, mani-pedis, facials and highlights? It can be, if we focus on just getting the service we want and don’t expect the longer experience we’ve enjoyed in the past.
Regina Davis Moss, associate executive director of health policy and practice at the American Public Health Association says getting services as quickly as possible will minimize our risk of getting COVID.
Here’s what you can do to stay healthy when you go get your hair and nails done:
● Before you go, make sure they’re following CDC guidelines - Check with the salon or spa to confirm they’re following safety precautions including constant mask-wearing, physical distancing, washing hands frequently and cleaning between customers, as the CDC advises.
● You may want to skip facials for now - Since you’d have to take your mask off while getting a facial, you may want to hold off on that unless both you and the person doing it are both fully vaccinated, Dr. Leana Wen recommends.
● If you go to a spa, shower at home first - That way you can avoid locker or changing rooms where people may be close together.
● Bring an extra mask - Having a spare is important if your mask gets wet during your appointment, since the CDC says wet masks can be less effective.
● Try to go at less busy times - Avoid weekend appointments, when salons and spas tend to be busier.
● Avoid saunas and steam rooms - Dr. Wen points out that your mask isn’t really going to work if it gets soggy in there, so unless you and everyone else there is fully vaccinated, pass on these for now.
● Keep your mask on at all times - And physically distance as much as possible, even in the waiting area.
● Don’t stay longer than you need to - Sometimes a trip to the salon is about socializing as much as the service, but Davis Moss suggests forgoing that to minimize risk.
HT: CNN