Being a hairstylist is not as easy as it may seem. Not only do you have to deal with many ungrateful clients and cancelled appointments, but you also have a high risk of getting health issues typical for the industry, such as allergies or contact dermatitis. Moreover, it also requires a person to have a particular set of features, such as attention to detail.
And it’s not only about checking on the latest trends to find some inspiration. Indeed, creativity is an important part of every hairdresser’s career, but staying consistent regarding workplace habits is equally essential. Choosing the right tools, keeping them clean, having a good attitude – are just several things every hairstylist should remember about. Read on and learn more.
Keep Your Scissors Sharpened!
A sharp pair of scissors is essential in every salon. However, as with any other tool, they will get dull with time. That’s why it’s so important to invest in a good pair of professional scissors, for instance, from Yasaka Shears, and remember to keep them sharp at all times. You can sharpen the edges of the blades manually with a special tool called a scissor sharpening stone or take them to a professional who will do this for you. This Scissor Maintenance Guide fully details how best to care for your scissors from sharpening them, to tightening and adjusting tension and how often to do it.
Remember To Take Care of Your Tools
Good quality tools are essential for every hairstylist. But you have to remember that you have to clean them regularly. For example, using dirty hair clippers is not only unhealthy for you, but it’s also an excellent way to spread germs around to your clients. By keeping your tools dirty, you increase your customers’ chances of getting skin infections, allergies, or contact dermatitis.
To avoid such a scenario, always remember to clean your tools after each use. To do that, you can use a spritz of disinfectant or alcohol. For styling tools, such as curling irons and flat irons, you should make sure to unplug them first and allow them to cool before cleaning. These tools help your clients get waves with straight hair and create beautiful hairstyles, but they can also be very damaging to your client’s hair if not properly maintained. Use a soft cloth dampened with a mild cleaner or alcohol solution for wiping the exterior of the tool and getting rid of any residue it may have left behind.
Keep Your Nails Healthy and Clean
You may not think about it, but there’s a possibility that someone at your salon will end up touching your hand, or you accidentally scratch them during a haircut. Since that’s when the germs go from one place to another, you should always make sure that your nails are clean and healthy.
Just like with the tools, you should make sure that you check your nails and remove any dirt from them at least once every two weeks. Also, make sure that you always wipe the chair before your client sits on it and that you hide all tools you’ve used before the haircut, especially in between clients. Those are the basics of keeping your salon and its tools sanitary.
Wear Scrubs During Work
Working in the salon can be a dirty job, and there are some risks to getting infections. One of the most common things stylists fight is contact dermatitis – an allergic reaction to a chemical (in this case, it can be a substance in hair products), which manifests itself by itching, redness, swelling, or blistering of the skin. And guess what? Many hair products chemicals are even more dangerous for people with already sensitive skin or already allergic to something.
For example, some studies suggest that approximately 15% of people with eczema are allergic to hair products. That’s why wearing scrubs, and a plastic cap during work is a great idea. But what is a scrub anyway? It’s a small scrubbing pad commonly used by nurses and medical staff to wash their hands. Scrubs are inexpensive and very easy to use – you can wear them like gloves!
Choose the Right Shampoos
There are many shampoo formulas out there on the market. However, there are two types commonly used in salons – these are colour-safe shampoos and clarifying shampoos. The first one is what most people use daily to clean their hair and maintain the colour longer. The second one is good for those who have coloured hair and want to eliminate any residue after dyeing it.
Those shampoos contain salicylic acid or another similar ingredient that makes the colour brighter and are excellent for experimenting with different colours or tones. Remember to invest in a good set of shampoos for many different kinds of hair and use them consciously according to your clients’ needs.
Always Remember to Hydrate!
Hair is skin, too. That’s why it’s so important to keep it healthy and hydrated, like any other part of the body. As a main rule, hair cannot be overly dry, but it’s also crucial to understand how to treat it.
You don’t have to use many luxurious products, but you should invest in a good moisturizing conditioner for your client’s hair and always apply it generously. It will help with adding moisture, shine, and softness to the hair.
Wear Gloves
Although not everyone does it, wearing gloves during work can be a life-saver to avoid all kinds of infections. Wearing gloves is extremely useful when working with certain chemical products, especially dyes and bleaches, and makes your work safer.
Conclusion
The job of a hairstylist is a very frequently chosen career path. Not without reason, too: the wage of a good hairstylist is high, and becoming successful in the job itself requires mostly practice, patience, and time. At the same time, working as a hairstylist is not a piece of cake – after all, it’s customer service, which brings many risks and everyday problems to the plate.
Therefore, it’s essential to remember the most important things every good hairdresser should do and learn which ones should be avoided at all costs to keep getting better and offer the best possible service. Good luck.
