Is It Safe to Get Your Hair Cut or Your Nails Done Right Now?
- Experts say there is a high risk of COVID-19 infection in hair and nail salons even with safety precautions implemented at those establishments.
- One of the prime risk factors is the close proximity between customers and employees.
- Experts note that salon employees face a higher risk of infection due to the number of people who enter their establishments.
- Experts urge consumers to check with their salon about their safety precautions before going in.
As businesses across the country begin to reopen, many people will be faced with important decisions.
That includes whether or not to venture out.
Just how safe is it to enter a salon for a haircut or manicure right now during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Dr. Catherine Troisi, PhD, an infectious disease epidemiologist at UTHealth School of Public Health in Houston, Texas, has a straight answer.
“Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should,” she told Healthline.
While hair salons and barbershops as well as nail and tanning salons opened earlier this month in Texas with recommended guidelines in place, Troisi isn’t booking an appointment just yet.
Her hesitation may be backed up by the numbers that came out of her home state this weekend. Texas recorded its highest single-day increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases on Saturday.
“I have not gotten my hair cut, and believe me it needs it, and my feet could sure use a pedicure, but I just don’t think it’s worth the risk right now,” she said.
While salons in New York have yet to open, Dr. Sandra Kesh, an infectious disease specialist and deputy medical director at Westmed Medical Group in Purchase, New York, also won’t be scheduling a salon visit soon.
She suggests deferring salon visits, especially if you live in an area where COVID-19 cases are still active.
If you choose to go, she recommends you “take every safeguard you can and do it in the safest way possible.”
Kesh said it’s important to assess your own comfort level with the risk of contracting COVID-19.
“If you do decide to go, I would recommend you wear a proper face mask and maybe even goggles to reduce the risk of respiratory droplets reaching your eyes,” she told Healthline.
She added it’s important to find out how your salon will protect their clients and employees.
“Before you make your appointment, I would suggest asking the salon what they are doing for infection control measures with social distancing, disinfection, and general flow and volume of people within their space,” Kesh said.