As salons and spas across the country are starting to reopen, business owners need to make a commitment to proper safety and sanitation in their workplace. Not only does this keep them and their employees safe, but it also ensures a more positive experience for their clients, who are more likely to return if they feel safe and comfortable.

Repêchage® Founder & CEO Lydia Sarfati on 40 Years of Excellence, Innovation, and More

To help spa and salon owners adjust to the new normal as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lydia Sarfati, Founder and CEO of Repêchage, shares 10 ways that you can make safety a priority in your spa or salon. From revised menus and service protocols to new client rules and safety equipment, her checklist below will help you reopen your business with the utmost confidence and care.

10 Ways to Make Safety a Priority:

1. Practice the strictest levels of disinfection and sanitation. Every area from reception, dressing rooms, coat rooms, facial station and treatment room needs to have thorough cleaning and sanitation before and after every service.

2. Strict adherence to state, federal, OSHA, World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) rules and regulations as they pertain to health safety during this crisis.

3. Provide pre-screening assessments prior to appointment. Every client, staff member or outside representative has to verify their health status prior to coming in.

• Not have a fever over 98.6 F/ 37 C. A forehead thermometer is used at doorway by trained staff personal to document.

• Not have a cold, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle pain or headache in past 14 days.

• Has not been in contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, sick and quarantined, in `the past 14 days.

• Not in contact with anyone with these symptoms in the past 14 days.

• Everyone is asked to stay home if they are sick or are exhibiting symptoms of illness such as a fever or persistent cough.

4. Clients must be seen by appointment only, booked online with questionnaire and affirmation of having read and understood new rules. Each appointment requires an additional 15 minutes to sterilize room and equip ment after each service. Each appointment needs to be scheduled so that there aren’t more than two people in waiting area at one time.

5. PPE, including face masks and gloves, should be worn by every client and outside representative when they come in. Provide clients with spa slippers upon entry to the spa or salon. Shoes must be removed at door and stored in a closable bag. Estheticians should be required to wear face masks, face shield when working close up for services such as lash application, waxing and extractions, hair nets, and spa shoes. Uniforms, lab coats and aprons to be washed and disinfected daily.

6. No guests of clients are allowed.

7. Facial rooms, stations, reception area, changing rooms and lavatories need to be modified for proper social distancing. Coats, hand bags and personal items should be stored in coat room in sealed bags. Only two chairs are available in reception area, placed over 6 feet apart. Customers must stay over 6 feet from reception desk.

8. Designate one safety specialist on staff to enforce social distancing, provide rules, hand sanitizer and assist in understanding.

9. Revised menus and service protocols for enhanced hygiene and sanitation.

10. Use of Repêchage unidose professional treatments for increased hygiene and efficiency.

For more information, visit the brand’s website and follow them on Instagram: @repechage

[Images courtesy of Repêchage®]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk