In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the $58B+ U.S. salon industry has been hit particularly hard with forced closures costing many salon owners and employees their livelihoods. As the beauty industry’s leading resource and advocate, the Professional Beauty Association recently published a survey of licensed beauty professionals to help the salon industry create consumer confidence with the goal of educating stylists and consumers that salons are safe. The PBA found that not only are salons across the country following strict safety protocols but also that there is limited evidence that the salon industry contributes to the spread of COVID-19.

The survey asked 2,532 salons to share their safety protocols, representing 19,392 licensed beauty professionals and services for over 2 million+ clients since reopening. Of the 2 million+ clients, only 0.07% reported testing positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of visiting a salon. The bottom line? Salons are safe for beauty professionals and clients.

Salons across the country increased their already rigorous safety protocols to safeguard against the spread of infection, including enhanced sanitization for both the client and the stylist, modified check-in and payment procedures, retrofitting of workspaces to allow for social distancing among many others. These efforts have paid off; there is no evidence that salons contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.

 “We check everyone’s temperature when they arrive for their appointment. If anyone feels ill, we welcome them to reschedule with no penalty,” says Leilani Lucas of Napa, CA. “We have disinfectant at every station, as well as hand sanitizer and Lysol. We encourage touchless payments and do not offer drinks or magazines.”

The story is the same coast-to-coast. “Our sanitation practice is thorough and consistent, and we operate at less than 50% capacity when open,” states Tara Acosta of Philadelphia, PA. “After building a brand new salon out last year, being closed for 14 weeks was devastating for us and our staff.”

This sentiment is shared throughout the industry. “My sales are down more than $20,000 this year. I have lost several dozen clients that have opted to not return to the salon out of fear …” shares Shelly Abbs of Molalla, OR.

The latest survey data published by the PBA supports this shared point of view. “Aside from maintaining health as the most integral priority, we want to help ensure that the industry is minimally impacted economically. As with so many other industries, the beauty industry has been devastated by the pandemic.” says Steve Sleeper, executive director of the Professional Beauty Association. “The salon industry completes sanitization training as part of their licensing and has been using cleanliness protocols for years. Now, with extensive measures in place to protect against COVID-19, we see salons are safe and not helping to transmit COVID-19. The recent survey shows that less than .1% of visitors to a salon contract COVID-19 within 14 days, suggesting salons can safely stay open.”

PBA has resources available to salon owners and stylists to help support them through this tough time. PBA joined the COVID Relief Now Coalition, and the PPP Forgiveness Coalition to work together to seek relief from Congress for small businesses and individuals. Salon owners and licensed beauty professionals are encouraged to explore funding opportunities through the SBA as well as state grants that may be available. PBA continues to share data with state government officials.

PBA has also established its COVID-19 Relief Fund, which has raised over $1.5MM with support from top industry brands like L’Oreal Professional brands, Moroccanoil, Henkel Professional Beauty Division, Dyson, and more; additional information is available at Probeauty.org/relief. 100% of the donations are going directly to support licensed beauty professionals experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The PBA remains steadfast in its commitment to continue its fundraising efforts to support the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help the beauty community during this difficult time.