The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on local businesses with the government defining who is classified as essential and non-essential.  Unfortunately, the hair industry was deemed non-essential, and Paparazzi Hair Salon was forced to close on March 25th.  Unlike restaurants and retails stores that had ways to adapt, the hair and personal grooming industry did not have that flexibility.  Owner Bobbie Skinner said, “Despite our inability to work for eight weeks, we are beyond grateful for the love and support we got through our clients’ text messages, social media messages, and emails.  We thank them for purchasing gift certificates on our Facebook page to help us out and show their support for small business!  We have missed them so much, and it’s great to know that in our clients’ eyes, at least – we are essential and valued.  And that knowledge – it’s priceless.

“But,” continued Bobbie, “we are aware that with our re-opening, there are concerns.  We wanted to alleviate those and help answer some of the questions that may cross our clients’ minds.”  Bobbie and the Paparazzi team want their clients to understand the sanitation practices that happen in the salon, especially as they relate to safety measures under COVID-19 restrictions.

1. Barbicide. “Barbicide is disinfectant that has been used by hair salons and cosmetologists since 1947,” said Bobbie.  “It’s effective at killing viruses, including Coronavirus, and all the stylists in our salon have been certified in the proper use of Barbicide.”
2. Masks. “Our team will be wearing masks to protect both them and our clients.  However, we will not require our clients to wear masks*.”
3. Social Distancing. “Thankfully, our salon is already set up and conducive to social distancing,” said Bobbie.  “Our stations are six feet apart and have a half-wall between each station.”
4. Sanitation. “Salons are already highly sanitized places of operation, due to the requirements of the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, but we are adding additional steps to our already high standards.  We will be conducting additional sanitation measures, including the allowance of extra time between clients to thoroughly clean each station, swap out capes, and ensure that each station is clean and ready for the next client.  In addition to Barbicide, we have invested in medical-grade cleaners to sanitize each station.”
5. In-House Capacity. “We will be following NC guidelines in regards to the number of clients we have in the shop at any given time*,” said Bobbie.

“This has been a difficult time for many,” said Bobbie.  “Namely, the frustration of not being able to work.  Our team loves what we do.  Doing hair is more than making someone look pretty or handsome.  This is a very relational kind of business.  For many, we serve as a kind of “hair-apist”—someone to talk to and listen to them.  We are in the business of making people feel good about themselves!  We love to help a client walk out of our salon with their head held a little higher, not only because they look good, but because we did what we could to uplift them emotionally as well.  All small businesses matter.  We are all essential, and we are so happy to be back at work, doing what we do best: serving others.”

Paparazzi Hair Salon is located at 6000 Meadowbrook Mall Court in Clemmons. Call them at 893-7169. Visit online at PaparazziHairSalon.com. Be sure to like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram! Walk-ins are welcome!

*This statement is based on the information available at the time this article was written.  Should state regulations issue additional restrictions and recommendations, Paparazzi Hair Salon will accommodate and modify, as required.