Here's what going to your salon or dermatologist's clinic will be like post-lockdown

If you're like us, you've really missed your monthly facials at the dermatologist's office, and you're waiting for your haircut like its a treat rather than a chore. After months of being closed, salons and clinics are now permitted to open as the lockdown lifts in India. While the experience will be different, and service menus will shrink for he time being, you can start adding appointments to your calendar. ‘’We are encouraging online consultations since MCI (Medical Council of India) has made it legal during the lockdown and only giving appointments to those patients who absolutely need procedures," explains Mumbai-based Dr Jaishree Sharad. Before you high tail it to your neighbourhood favourite, here's what you need to know. 

How to stay safe when you go to the salon

‘’Distance, declutter, and digitalise is the mantra that needs to be followed,’’ says Samir Srivastav, CEO at Jean-Claude Biguine Salon & Spa India as he lists all the precautions that are being carried out at the salons to ensure the clients get a safe service.

1. 1

   You need to pre-book your appointments as no walk-ins are allowed to maintain the social distancing guidelines.

2. 2

   Once you enter, you go through the mandatory temperature/health checks along with a safety declaration form that will be signed and verified by you.

3. 3

   There are single-use service kits for most of the services and with industry-approved PPE gear including capes, masks, gloves and shoe covers, stringent safety manuals and strict code of conduct for both employees and clients.

4. 4

   Contactless payments are being encouraged such as online transfers and card payments.

5. 5

   The hairdressers/experts at the salons have been certified by B&WSSC (Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council) on safety, health and hygiene norms.

6. 6

   After each service the tools and equipment are sanitised and disinfected.

7. 7

   There are also on-duty doctors on the salon premises.

The new safety measures at dermatology clinics to stay on top of

‘’We are performing all our treatments other than hair transplants as of now and all the others are being performed with utmost hygiene, sanitation, and minimal contact with the patient,’’ explains Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta of Isaac Luxe. Besides the mandatory temperature checks, pre-booked appointments and PPE kits for all, Gupta and Sharad help list some of the practices that are being followed at their respective clinics.

1. 1

   All patients have to wear a 3 ply mask, hair cover, shoe cover and gloves.

2. 2

   All the seats and treatment rooms and the surfaces will be cleaned with ethanol disinfectant spray.

3. 3

   All appointments are spaced out to avoid overcrowding and to make sure everything is sanitised before the next patient.

4. 4

   Prescriptions and payments are handled digitally to limit any physical contact.

5. 5

   Air filters are installed in the AC units to clean air from bacteria and viruses.

6. 6

   The doctors keep a safe distance of one meter from each patient and sanitise their hands after each consultation.

7. 7

   Only one patient at a time is allowed in the room with their doctor.

Also read:

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