As the government prepares to lift the second lockdown on the 4th November, we are aware of how daunting it can be. As a beauty business owner, it is hard to have to remain closed even if for a week or months at a time. Not only does this affect small businesses but also the beauticians and nail therapists that are freelancers. Hence why it is so important that we do our best to reduce the risks of transmission and keep working spaces as sterile as possible to run a COVID safe beauty business.
Here at Ray Cochrane, we work hard to assist our students with their employability not only whilst they’re studying. We also work with them after they have completed their studies with us. In this blog post, we will be offering some tips we hope will help everyone stay healthy and remain operational in a safe manner.
So without further ado, let’s get to it!
How to remain safe in a beauty business environment
Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
When working so closely with clients to carry out treatments, it’s important to keep your mouth, nose and hands covered. Keep a mask on where possible, even around the building and your coworkers!
When carrying out treatments, you should remember to wear face visors and gloves. By doing so, you will limit the risk of transmitting the virus.
You might find it helpful to keep disposable masks around. Enabling you to offer them to clients that may have forgotten theirs.
Wash your hands thoroughly:
As recommended by the NHS, you should wash your hands with soap for at least 30 seconds. Even if you are wearing gloves, you should wash your hands before and after every client.
You should also remember in and out of work to wash your hands before eating or drinking. However, you should never eat at your work station to ensure your station is clean and tidy!
You should also ask clients to wash their hands upon entrance to the salon or even at their homes if you’re a freelancer.
You might find it helpful to have signs around to make it more comfortable for the client!
Thoroughly clean work stations:
As a qualified beauty therapist, you would have studied the importance of health and safety. So we don’t think we have to mention this but we will! Ensuring you wipe down all surfaces with disinfectant products will help minimise transmission of the virus. Even when cleaning, you should always wear disposable gloves to avoid contact with the virus.
Dettol or bleach are great cleaning solutions!
Separating work and personal clothing:
Once your shift or appointment is over, take off your tunic! Do not wear your work clothing or footwear at home! This will help you stop unknowingly bringing the virus home. Wearing shoes that can be wiped down with an antibacterial wipe will help!
Now that we’ve spoken about the steps to reducing spreading transmission in and around the workplace to run a COVID safe salon. Let’s discuss how to reduce the risk of passing it from person to person. As a freelancer or salon owner, the last thing you want to do is spread the virus. You have a duty to your clients and community to operate as safely as possible.
Check temperatures of staff and client:
Whilst clients and staff may display no symptoms or signs of a temperature. You should still check everyone who enters the beauty salon or work environment to ensure it is COVID safe. A temperature gun will allow you to keep your distance and limit the passing of the virus from a thermometer.
Always check and follow government guidelines:
We understand it is hard to remain closed and even more so if you are self-employed. However, those guidelines are in place to reduce the risks of transmission and to not overload the NHS. As a community, we must look out for each other particularly those more vulnerable than us.
To keep up with the latest government guidelines please refer to here.
Confirm your client’s health:
Messaging or calling your clients a day or two before their appointment to check their health and to ensure they are not exhibiting any symptoms. You could even start doing your consolations over the phone or via video call. Limiting how much unnecessary face-to-face contact you carry out with clients. You might find that checking up clients a day or two before will help reduce some last-minute cancellations!
Prepare COVID Declaration forms:
Customers and staff should sign forms regularly that declare they have not been in contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms or that could have COVID. They should also confirm that they have not shown symptoms or knowingly concealed having the virus. By doing this you will collect information that will help with contact tracing.
Having a Track and Trace QR code at your entrance will make this easier.
Get tested if you’re displaying symptoms!
This is probably the most important. You have a responsibility to your colleagues and clients to keep them safe. If you develop a persistent cough or any other Coronavirus symptoms, seek out testing! It is never easy to have to take time off work but, by self-isolating, you are reducing spreading the virus.
Whilst unable to carry out treatments, you can use the time to work on self-care. If you must work, you can work on building your social media presence with posts or creating blog content which will all benefit you in the long run.
How Ray Cochrane Beauty School Can Help You Operate A COVID Safe Beauty Business
We are aware of how COVID-19 is impacting the beauty industry and the courses that we offer. Which is why we are now offering The VTCT (ITEC) Level 2 Award in Infection Prevention (COVID-19) for Beauty Therapy and Nail Services.
The course will be a prerequisite to join our beauty and nail courses to prepare you for operating a COVID safe beauty business. The course is completed online meaning you can do it at your own convenience and pace. You will be assessed with a theoretical exam, that will be graded based on how well you understood the learning materials.
Learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of the COVID-19 virus, the importance of social responsibility and the methods used to control transmission – such as correct hand hygiene and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
If you are already a salon owner or freelancer we would still recommend this course as it would give you the knowledge needed to adjust effectively.
Call us on 0203 856 8886 to find out more and to enrol.
