Surviving Coronavirus Outside the Salon

Back to the Basics …
Surviving Coronavirus Outside the Salon

 

Is isolation changing the way you look? Suddenly barred from hair and nail salons, waxers, barber shops, day spas, spray-tanning salons, clothing stores, and cosmetics stores, people have found it much more difficult to maintain the routines that structure their appearance. I know it may sound superficial or even self-centered to be concerned about your hair roots, among all the other, more pressing fears and issues we are faced with during this COVID-19 pandemic like protecting our health, food supplies, sanitizing and paper supplies, income, job stability and being concerned about the safety of our elderly and friends and relatives with other health issues.

Nevertheless, this goes far beyond the issue of vanity. The care of a human body ties people to the physical, social world they’ve been abruptly ejected from. Stuck inside, we are left with just our existing tools and skills, trying to maintain our sense of self (or at least our eyebrows). No doubt about it: our appearance is connected to our identity.[1]

In order to survive this pandemic outside the salon, here are a few tips and tidbits that I hope will be helpful.

Minimizing the Effects of your Hair’s Regrowth

Need to camouflage those gray roots? If you color your hair and have been unable to go to the salon while quarantined, here are some ways you can minimize the effects of your hair’s regrowth:

•   Style your hair differently when dealing with regrowth:

o   Change your part line, styling your hair in different direction.

o   Back-combing (teasing) gathers hair at the roots and can camouflage your root growth.

o   Braiding your hair, weaving and intertwining your varying hair colors.

o   Wear your hair swept up in a messy bun or in a ponytail.

o   Use a large curling iron or hot curler set to give volume by lifting the hair off your scalp.

o   Wear a nice hat, scarf, or even a ball cap. This will also protect your hair against UV damage when you do (have to) go out.

 

• Root Concealer: Of course, there’s always the option to pick up a small can of root concealer the next time you go to the grocery or drug store. Aerosol root concealer extends salon color with temporary gray root cover-up. Many brands are waterproof and transfer-proof. This touch-up spray with a nozzle applicator can cover root regrowth exactly where you need it. Root concealer sprays can evenly disperse and adhere to hair for fuller coverage. Please, please, please, don't try to box color your hair at home. You won't want to have to spend more time and money later for color correction once salons reopen.

Focus on Preserving the Health of your Hair

Right now, you may not be able to control having gray roots, or the ability to get a much-needed keratin treatment, or even unibrows and chin hairs, but you can use your time wisely to ensure and preserve the health of your hair. (To read my previous blog post devoted to this subject, click HERE or on the image below.)

As tempting as it is to skip your routine self-care regimen (since not many people other than immediate family can see you right now), you still need to practice good hair hygiene. Beautiful hair starts with a healthy foundation achieved by using the right cleansing techniques. Now is the perfect time to focus on your hair and skin care, since there may be less demands on your time and schedule while you’re stuck at home. Your normal routine prior to quarantining may have often necessitated a quick shampoo, condition, and rinse. You deserve to be pampered and the truth is that taking the extra time to properly cleanse and moisturize your hair and skin can be worth it in the long run. To keep your hair looking its best, and your scalp healthy to promote hair growth, consider rethinking how you wash and condition your hair with the helpful tips found here in our May 2019 blog post.

Don’t neglect the health of your hair. Here are some more tips to help:

• You exfoliate your skin; don't forget about your scalp, too. Proper blood circulation can stimulate hair growth and health. It can prevent dandruff and dry scalp.
• Always use leave-in creams and serums.
• Give yourself a deep conditioning treatment once a week at home. Wash hair thoroughly, then mix conditioner and hair serum in your palms and run it through your hair. Comb it through, wrap it in a towel, and let it treat your hair for a couple of hours. Rinse it out and let your hair air dry if possible to reduce heat stress.
• If you dry your hair or use heat styling implements, always use a thermal styling protection product to eliminate heat damage. 
• Stress & Exercise: Stress affects the whole body, including your hair and scalp. Stress can make your hair dull, unhealthy, and contribute to dandruff, lack of hair growth and even balding.Try to reduce stress in your life. I know this isn't easy, given today's difficult and unsure times, but try exercising. Exercise not only makes your entire body (including your hair) healthier from the inside out, it can also work the stress right out of your system, replacing it with endorphins - chemicals that help to relieve pain and stress, and boost happiness.
• Get enough sleep to ensure adequate hormone growth (HGH) which affects the hair. Eat the right foods and drink plenty of water.

Getting Ready to Face the World Again

Use this time to think about changes to your hairstyle, cut and color. You survived the pandemic, so be brave and think about a whole new makeover for your next visit (yes, we are booking now!). Read my February blog post, “What to Expect in a Hair Makeover and 9 Key Factors to Consider” to educate and inspire in this decision.

For your next appointment, ask for a deep conditioning treatment. I recommend these once monthly, or more often for dry, damaged hair. I use only GKhair deep conditioning treatments, which strengthen hair weakened by chemical services, heat styling, and environmental effects. It smooths the hair surface by closing the cuticle layers, and it evens the porosity of the hair.

Stay Stocked Up on Your Hair Care Products

Running low on hair products? Just call me and conveniently order and pay via credit card over the phone. My products are deeply discounted through April 30 AND I’m not charging sales tax AND I’m not even charging a credit card fee! I can deliver them to you via UPS or USPS for an additional shipping cost.

 

Save Money by Prepaying Now and Get Fantastic Discounts

Pat Alessi is yet again expanding the SALON 1580 STIMULUS PACKAGE! Prepay and SAVE!

• Enjoy 15-20% off our most popular services! (See details HERE).

•  Claim your FREE $25 Gift Certificate, just for you from Pat, toward any chemical service! You can even use it NOW toward your next prepaid chemical services (see our irresistible prepaid offers HERE).

• Through April 30, I AM NOT CHARGING TAX OR A CREDIT CARD FEE for prepaid services or prepaid hair product orders.

STAY SAFE. STAY HEALTHY. AND PLEASE DON’T NEGLECT THE HEATH OF YOUR HAIR. We hair salon owners hope to see you, our valued customers, SOON!

 

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[1] Isolation is Changing How You Look, The Atlantic. Amanda Mull, March 25, 2020.

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PAT ALESSI - SALON 1580

Salon Lofts   |   Lofts #11 & #13
Roswell Marketplace   |   10800 Alpharetta Hwy., Suite 240
Roswell, GA 30076 |  678-361-4247
pat@patalessihair.com  |  www.patalessihair.com

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