How To Not Get COVID-19 At The Salon And Spa

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…

Roy Brown

Updated Apr 29, 2021 5:55 AM EDT

LAS VEGAS – AUGUST 15: Television personality Kourtney Kardashian has her hair done at Color, a salon at Caesars Palace, while getting ready to go to sister Kim Kardashian’s Pussycat Doll performance on August 15, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Kardashians are filming an episode of their show, “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” at Caesars. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Caesars Palace)

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Caesars Palace)

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.

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 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.