Spas, Facials and COVID-19

“The first few months were paramount in giving us training in our new way of operating,” Lexie Ahladas said. The licensed aesthetician works at Step Up Skin Laser on Fifth Avenue in Midtown and the business suffered because of COVID, the shutdown and then fear. Once the pandemic hit, a treatment so intimate became frightening because people worried about getting COVID.

The spa reopened for business in July 2020. Before reopening their facial rooms, they upgraded the air circulation and improved the safety of the salon. “This gave us a chance to grow accustomed to our new way of running the business, conducting extra cleanings before opening, midday and after we close. We’ve opened fewer treatment rooms and limited the number of client and staff contact in the building at one time,” Lexie explained.

Some customers are still cautious about getting facials. New York City resident Kelsey Vargas has her own requirements when it comes to getting a treatment, “I will only get a facial if I know the aesthetician. I’ll know if they’re taking all the necessary precautions to keep me safe, and I’ll trust they aren’t reusing the same tools and [that they are] disinfecting after all clients.”

At Step Up Skin Laser, they work to follow New York State safety guidelines. The spa waiting area has a sleek L-shaped couch, white walls, greenery and bright neon lights. Small treatment rooms have bright walls with minimal furniture and specific machines for the client’s particular treatment. “We use extra PPE when performing facials. We wear a mask, face shields, extra eye protection, gloves, lower arm coverings and disposable aprons,” Lexie explained.

Facials have increased as people are dealing with a new wave of acne problems from wearing masks. Some called it maskne, and according to the Cleveland Clinic, this has always been a problem within professions where people wear masks constantly. “Since the pandemic began, the demand for facials has increased due to the condition of people’s skin from the mask wearing,” said Lexie.

Some customers simply trust the people who treat them. Elizabeth Garcia, an Orange County correctional officer, said she used to get facials before the pandemic and continued even after the pandemic. “I am healthy and have no worries. I have full confidence in the spa to make sure they’re taking all safety precautions to keep me and others safe while getting a treatment done,” Garcia said.

Clients can check the safety precautions spas and salons are taking. Many salons and spas list them on their websites. Salons also may go over the safety precautions and rules over the phone when making or confirming appointments days before a client’s visit.