Opening your eyelash extension business after COVID-19 Pandemic

Now the UK is relaxing lockdown measures, people are asking me;

 

1. "When can I open my eyelash extension business?"
2. "Is it safe to open my eyelash extensions business?" 
3. "What do I need to do to open my eyelash business?"

 

As beauty salons and eyelash extensions, businesses are central figures in every community, Megan Thomas Lash Academy has investigated what you can do to help yourself, your colleagues and your clients happy and healthy as much as possible. 

 

So when can we begin lashing again after COVID-19 lockdown has relaxed? 

 

The most up to date information from the Government says that Hairdressers, spas, beauticians and beautician salons can return to work on Saturday 4th July 2020. 

 

So now we know the 'when' let's talk about 'how' with our Eyelash Back to Work Guide. 

 

Services in the Professional Beauty Industry such as hairdressings, nails and eyelashes, carry some risk regarding COVID-19 and other viruses due to the nature of the services and the inability to maintain social distancing. With that said, professionals have been trained to minimise these risks by proper use of health and safety guidelines, PPE use and high hygiene standards. 

 

Gloves

 

It is not a recommendation to require gloves. When gloves are worn for infection control purposes, they must be changed with each service, and that volume alone would be challenging to manage. Gloves worn all day, become more troublesome than no gloves at all. 

 

It is recommended that eyelash technicians adhere to handwashing after and before each service. It is further recommended that the technician washes their hands in front of the client if the opportunity exists. 

 

There are two exceptions where gloves are recommended – nail services and facial services. Gloves are to be worn for only a single service and hands washed after they are removed. 

 

Masks

 

Professionals should wear masks as a safety measure when providing a service. These masks can be disposable or cloth and must be disposed of or washed correctly. Disposable masks should be made available to the customer and may only be used for a single customer. Even in the presence of Plexiglas partitions, a mask must be worn by the treatment provider.

 

Gowns

 

There is no recommendation to wear gowns at this time. Due to the nature of this transmission, the wearing of gowns does not offer significant additional protection and is both expensive and uncomfortable.  

 

Hand Hygiene

 

Proper hand hygiene (washing or hand sanitiser) is a necessary action to reduce the spread of viral illness. It is recommended that hand washing is the preferred method of hand hygiene, and it should be done as frequently as possible, but always after eating, smoking and using the restroom. Hand sanitisers should be made available for all customers. 

 

Appointments

 

All services must be scheduled with adequate time in between appointments to clean and disinfect properly. Employers should be held accountable for allowing their employees to have enough time to allow for proper disinfection without repercussions. Clients should be asked to wait outside or in their cars until they are called for their appointment. Appointments should be staggered to avoid multiple people in the waiting areas. 

 

Double Booking

 

This should not be done unless each patron can be left in a single chair throughout the process and distancing measures maintained. Limiting the movement of customers throughout the business reduces risk to both customers and staff. 

 

Handshaking is not allowed!

 

Payments

 

Cashless payment systems are preferred, but not required. If Point of Sale (POS) equipment is used, and a customer must sign or enter a PIN, the equipment must be disinfected after each use. 

 

Thermometers

 

The use of thermometers for temperature scanning is optional. A fever only indicates someone who is already symptomatic and likely knows that. The goal is to treat all clients (many of whom may be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic) as though they are sick. 

 

Signage 

Download FREE COVID-19 Poster Sign:

 

Signage should be clear, stating services will not be offered to or given by anyone who is sick or exhibiting signs of illness. Customers should be asked before treatment if they have been ill or exposed to someone who is sick. If so, services should be deferred for a minimum of 14 days.

 

Social Distancing

 

We know that social distancing recommendations of 2 metres cannot be met in the actual treatment itself. However, the following distancing measures can be implemented to reduce risk in salons: 

• If chairs are situated such that the clients are closer than 2 meters – every other chair should be used or chairs staggered if possible.
• Waiting area chairs should be removed or spaced in such a manner to accommodate social distancing requirements.

 

Disinfection

 

It is required to clean and disinfect all tools before use and the disposal of porous implements after a single-use. Both of these practices should be vigorously adhered to, and the following recommendations added: 

 

 

• Disinfection of high touch areas including, but not limited to: 
• Door handles on main entrance and restrooms 
• Restrooms facilities
• Reception desk 
• Point of Sale (POS) equipment 
• Stations (including foot/nail drying stations) 
• Displays 

 

Items to be temporarily Disallowed

 

Some items that currently are commonplace in salons should be removed: 

• Public coffee or water stations 
• Magazines/ books / newspapers 
• Sweet dishes 
• Product testers/samples

 

Stay safe ladies and happy lashing xx.

 

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