Salon hygiene can be broadly divided into three areas – the products and equipment used (we’d add the salon itself here too), the service given, and the salon ...
3 min read
Salon hygiene can be broadly divided into three areas – the products and equipment used (we’d add the salon itself here too), the service given, and the salon professionals themselves. Conversely, the obvious signs of an unhygienic salon are:
Here are things you should take note of each time you visit a salon or book an at-home salon service
Dandruff travels fast, and lice, even faster. An itchy scalp is another common complaint. In most beauty parlours and salons, hairdressers rarely pause to disinfect their brushes, combs, and even scissors before starting work on the next client. Ensure that the comb used for your haircut or styling comes straight out of the steriliser and not the stylist’s pouch holster.
You know what gets my stomach churning? Towels with stains on them. It doesn’t matter if those are stubborn hair dye or henna stains (which is the answer you’re most likely to get on questioning the salon personnel), if it’s not spotless don’t use it. Same goes for the garments given for facials and waxing.
The simplest way to sterilise manicure and pedicure tools, namely nail clippers, filers, cuticle pushers, and orange sticks, is to leave them for 2-3 minutes in a solution of antiseptic liquid (Dettol, Savlon etc.) and water. Ideally, this can be done just before your service is about to begin. This simple act can prevent nail fungus, as well as other bacterial and viral infections in the nail.
Has the floor been swept after a haircut, have the counters been cleaned, Are the beds in the cabins spotless? Pristine floors, clean counters, and spotless beds and chairs are telltale signs of a well-managed salon that gives its customers a stellar service.
Using expired products can lead to reactions in your hair and skin, especially facial products. Always make sure that the product being used is not close to its expiry date, instead of prematurely writing it off to whether it suited you or not.
Just like any other salon tool, hands can carry infection from person to another. These can range from simple breakouts to serious skin infections. Ensure that your beautician either washed her hands with medicated soap or uses a hand sanitiser, especially if you are getting a facial.
It can add to your discomfort when the beautician bent over and threading your brows has bad breath. And the worst part is that there’s nothing you can do about it, besides leaving your comments in the feedback section and asking for another beautician the next time.
An untidy beauty service mostly pertains to spillage. Most beauticians are extremely liberal in their use of talcum powder, so much so that you’ll find a sheet of white over yourself, your clothes (in case you’re getting a half legs/arms service). It’s hard to dust off. Sometimes, when in a rush, they do tend to drop (hot) wax too. There’s also the problem of used waxing strips left lying about that tend to stick to your skin and clothes.
While these things aren’t a cause for concern, they do create a lot of mess and make your salon service an uncomfortable experience.
We understand the concerns our customers have regarding beauty service and hygiene. This was the basis of developing the Urban Company Salon Hygiene Checklist. We ensure that:
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