Creating a safe salon space

There’s lots to consider when designing a salon: how many chairs will you have, will you separate styling and colour services, what kind of lighting will you use… but have you thought about whether you’re offering a safe space? Safe salon spaces are dedicated areas which help take the fear out of the hairdressing experience and ensure every customer feels comfortable. These areas are often beneficial to a range of clients, including women who wear hijabs. It’s worth noting that head scarves, wraps and coverings are the choice for lots of women across the world and they’re not always worn for religious and cultural purposes either. (More on this here). However, for those who do wear them for religious purposes, having your hair seen by male staff, customers and passers-by is a no-go. Melissa Timperley, owner of Melissa Timperley Salon in Manchester, has adapted her business to offer a dedicated, but welcoming space too. “We have a large client base of women who wear a hijab at our salon,” she states. “We have an area at the top of the salon that has two sections with moveable artwork which we use as a screen to give clients privacy.  I do employ a male stylist, so I always ensure he is away from this area when it’s being used by a client who wears a hijab.” Additionally, safe salon spaces are also designed to improve the experiences of clients who suffer from hair loss. Speaking on the topic, Robert Eaton, creative director at Russell Eaton Leeds & Barnsley, and British Hairdresser of the Year, said: “Hair loss is understandably a very sensitive issue for many people, and clients often want complete discretion when they are in the salon. This is why we have created completely private rooms for trichology appointments, hair system fittings and wig cutting services. These rooms give clients the confidence to step into the salon, knowing they will be away from the busy salon floor – which can be an incredibly intimidating space when you are suffering from hair loss. “Interestingly, there are some clients who still want to be sat in the main salon area when they have their system or wig fitted. We have a lot of clients that have been coming to us for many years for their wigs and initially would have always had their appointment in a private room, but now feel so comfortable that they happily sit on the salon floor, so their wig cutting service feels like the hair experience they once had with their own hair.” Both Melissa and Robert’s experiences highlight that creating a safe salon space can be relatively simple, and although additional space can be beneficial – it isn’t essential to help clients feel comfortable. Carefully placed screens, along with fully closing blinds on shop windows and offering appointment slots when you know the salon will be empty, are also effective methods.