4 Things To Remember Before Getting A Haircut

Adopt these simple habits on your next visit to the barbershop

Above Theodore Lee, better known as Ted, founder of Sweeney Ted barbershop at The School, Jaya One (Photo: Sweeney Ted)

After almost two months of self-haircut video tutorials and a flurry of rather amusing #QuarantineHair posts on Instagram, Malaysians breathed a sigh of relief when hair salons and barbershops were finally permitted to open earlier this month.

Sweeney Ted barbershop's founder Ted Lee was also pleased to open his doors again to loyal customers, albeit cautiously, and with a number of safety procedures in place.

"We were closed from the beginning of the MCO till it was announced that we could reopen on June 10. It was tough, but we needed to do our part in the fight against Covid-19," says Lee, who built an online business selling O’Douds and Burly Fellow men's grooming products prior to opening Sweeney Ted at The School, Jaya One.

On top of the stringent safety precautions imposed by the barbers, customers also can do their part to safeguard their health and ensure a smoother haircut by following these tips.

1. Plan ahead

Above Grooming tools sterilised in Barbicide disinfectan (Photo: Sweeney Ted Barbershop)

What was once a leisurely trip to the barber isn’t so simple today. With safety measures like contact tracing and temperature checks in place, customers may encounter longer waiting time and limited seating in the barbershop. With some barbershops opting for appointments over walk-ins during RMCO, be sure to call ahead to book an appointment and allow for extra time in case of a delay with the customer before you.

“Apart from thoroughly disinfecting frequently touched areas in the barbershop throughout the day, every single tool that touches a client is disinfected,” Lee explains. “We have multiple sets of everything: each client receives a fresh set of combs, brushes, clippers, clipper guards, scissors, hair clips, fade brushes and neck brushes.”

2. Take a shower after a haircut

Above Photo: Sweeney Ted Barbershop

“While we take extraordinary precautions at the barbershop and are very conscious to prevent cross-contamination, we would recommend that customers have a good shower after their visit to the barbershop and avoid touching their face or loved ones before they do,” Lee advises.

More: Covid-19 Apps To Keep You Safe & Healthy In Malaysia

Washing your hands regularly, disinfecting them with hand sanitiser and practising social distancing such as avoiding crowded places are all good habits to observe before visiting your barber.

3. Wear a face mask during the haircut

Your temperature has been taken, your contact details recorded and you’re back in your favourite seat at the barbershop. Even if you're not there for a beard trim, should you still keep your mask on throughout your haircut?

The answer is yes, and unless your barber says otherwise, keep your mask on and avoid touching objects on the table in front of you, at least not without sanitising your hands before and after.

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4. Self-grooming at home

Above Photo: PxHere

Still wary of setting foot in a barbershop? Lee recommends reaching out to your barber for cutting tips at home or watching YouTube videos.

“Always start by cutting it not as short as you want – you can always go shorter if necessary, but not the other way around,” he adds.

“If you really want to have facial hair, keep it maintained on the much shorter side as it’s also more hygienic in these times.”

More: Video Tutorials On How To Cut Your Own Hair In Home Quarantine

Topics

sweeney ted barbershop men grooming social distancing rmco haircut

Tatler Asia

4 Things To Remember Before Getting A Haircut

1. Plan ahead

2. Take a shower after a haircut

3. Wear a face mask during the haircut

4. Self-grooming at home