Working in the salon can take a major toll on your body. Long days on your feet and keeping your arms elevated for most of the day can affect everything from your feet, legs, back, neck and even your overall energy levels. Not only that, but when working in a salon you are being exposed to all types of chemicals and fumes. Read on to learn a few simple steps can keep you healthy and safe.
This one seems like a no-brainer, but I can't count how many times I've walked into a salon and seen men and women working in shoes that make me cringe. I completely understand the desire to look great, we do work in the beauty industry after all, but we can't sacrifice our own health and well-being for the sake of beauty. Plus, bad footwear can make you tired and cranky, and when we're tired and cranky, we give crappy haircuts.
By simply adding insoles to your shoes, or investing in great looking shoes that are comfortable and easy to work in, you'll be a much more content hair stylist. There's been many advances in stylish, comfort footwear. Cole Haan has teamed up with Nike to create their Cole Haan Air line, which combines Nike Air technology with the sensible style of Cole Haan. They've got some really great looking shoes that also happen to be extremely comfortable. Perfect for long days behind the chair!
When I refer to eating my lunch in the salon, I call it "hairdressers lunch", which basically means you never actually sit down to eat it, you just run in and out of the back room during the day, snatching bites between clients.
The salon can get so crazy when you're double booking and back to back that it can be hard to get enough sustinence throughout the day. No food equals no energy, and we all know how much work a day like that requires.
Keeping healthy snacks around the salon can save the day when blood sugar starts to drop. Almonds, granola bars, bananas, and natural protein shakes are some of my favorites when I'm looking for a quick boost. Keep your salon or station stocked with a few things for it can really save the day when you have low energy.
A hair salon is packed with hair color and chemical treatments that often come with some serious fumes. Multiply one chemical service by a dozen hair stylists, who may have a few people in their chair, and you've got a serious air quality hazard.
It's imperative that a hair salon has proper ventilation, and/or a central air filtration system in place. Clients have become more and more concerned over this issue in the past few years with all of the talk in the news about keratin treatments, so they're starting to ask questions themselves. Your clients will rest easy knowing that your salon has taken the proper steps to keep you and your clients safe and healthy.
This simple addition to your station can make all the difference when you're standing on your feet all day. Look for mats that are a combination of foam and rubber which wrap around your salon chair, creating a cushiony barrier between you and the hard salon floor. I can't tell you the difference I've felt when working on one of these mats. Check out an online beauty supply retailer like Minervabeauty.com for a wide selection of anti-fatigue mats. You won't be sorry with this simple investment.
Further Reading
Your Salon Apprenticeship - What to Expect
Keeping it Professional in the Beauty Industry
How to Increase Your Business
1. Proper Footwear
This one seems like a no-brainer, but I can't count how many times I've walked into a salon and seen men and women working in shoes that make me cringe. I completely understand the desire to look great, we do work in the beauty industry after all, but we can't sacrifice our own health and well-being for the sake of beauty. Plus, bad footwear can make you tired and cranky, and when we're tired and cranky, we give crappy haircuts.
By simply adding insoles to your shoes, or investing in great looking shoes that are comfortable and easy to work in, you'll be a much more content hair stylist. There's been many advances in stylish, comfort footwear. Cole Haan has teamed up with Nike to create their Cole Haan Air line, which combines Nike Air technology with the sensible style of Cole Haan. They've got some really great looking shoes that also happen to be extremely comfortable. Perfect for long days behind the chair!
2. Snacks
When I refer to eating my lunch in the salon, I call it "hairdressers lunch", which basically means you never actually sit down to eat it, you just run in and out of the back room during the day, snatching bites between clients.
The salon can get so crazy when you're double booking and back to back that it can be hard to get enough sustinence throughout the day. No food equals no energy, and we all know how much work a day like that requires.
Keeping healthy snacks around the salon can save the day when blood sugar starts to drop. Almonds, granola bars, bananas, and natural protein shakes are some of my favorites when I'm looking for a quick boost. Keep your salon or station stocked with a few things for it can really save the day when you have low energy.
3. Proper Ventilation and Air Filtration
A hair salon is packed with hair color and chemical treatments that often come with some serious fumes. Multiply one chemical service by a dozen hair stylists, who may have a few people in their chair, and you've got a serious air quality hazard.
It's imperative that a hair salon has proper ventilation, and/or a central air filtration system in place. Clients have become more and more concerned over this issue in the past few years with all of the talk in the news about keratin treatments, so they're starting to ask questions themselves. Your clients will rest easy knowing that your salon has taken the proper steps to keep you and your clients safe and healthy.
4. Anti-Fatigue Mats
This simple addition to your station can make all the difference when you're standing on your feet all day. Look for mats that are a combination of foam and rubber which wrap around your salon chair, creating a cushiony barrier between you and the hard salon floor. I can't tell you the difference I've felt when working on one of these mats. Check out an online beauty supply retailer like Minervabeauty.com for a wide selection of anti-fatigue mats. You won't be sorry with this simple investment.
Further Reading
Your Salon Apprenticeship - What to Expect
Keeping it Professional in the Beauty Industry
How to Increase Your Business