From what I understand, the virus isn't airborne; it has to be spread by some type of contact. So if your stylist (or other patron) has the virus and is close enough to you to do your hair (color it, wash it, cut it), whether or not the dryer spreads or kills the virus is moot. You'd still be close enough to get it. My opinion.

I’m sincerely hoping my salon will take measures to keep things as sanitized as possible. I think the chairs need to be wiped down between clients. Masks, of course. Limited number of people I. The salon at any one time. As for the dryer, I don’t know. It’s the one thing that I notice is not usually cleaned between customers. My hair is straight as a stick so I can easily dry it myself at home. It’s the cut that matters. Right now I am going for the Rapunzel look and touching up my own roots. It will be at least a few more weeks before my salon opens.

I'm not sure why the dryer needs to be cleaned between clients. It never comes into contact with them, only with the stylist.

I wonder how many people will wash their hair before going in? I usually do anyway.

Bpath, my hair needs to be cut wet. My sister who does the Diva cuts, has hers dry.

To me having someone wash my hair for me is a luxury that I enjoy. Some salons have different pricing for with or without shampooing in this area. I especially like it when few clients are expected/slow day when the stylist takes the time to massage and thoroughly wash and condition my hair.

My stylist usually cleans up the line a bit after my hair is dried, but I don't think my hair would look that different without the tweaks, so I'm fine to skip the drying. However, it means I can't go anywhere right afterwards which would be inconvenient.

And what will happen in the winter months?

maifluer, I also look at gong to a salon as a luxury.. I like my stylist to look stylish herself and I like the salon to be spa like.

Love the scalp massage!!!

While I agree that we've been advised that the main means of transmission is by touch, if the virus isn't transmitted by air, why am I told it's necessary to wear a mask (to keep from my possible nasties perhaps messing up the other guy, rather than for my own protection)?

And when getting near a jogger, breathing heavily, to not only keep the 6 ft/2 metres (which is actually 6' 6") away from the runner, but to steer clear of the breath that s/he pushed out a few seconds ago and has left behind.

While drops tend to fall to the ground fairly quickly ... droplets hang around for some time - you note how fog hangs around for hours?

My view about the blast from the dryer is that while it may kill a few/many/most/dang near all of those wandering viruses ... do you want to take the risk that a few survived?

ole joyful ... long-time survivor

P.S. Do you find it easier to handle hot air blasted at you from machine ... than from people/(friends)?

o j

"From what I understand, the virus isn't airborne"

I don't think this is correct. My understanding is that It's airborne in exhalation aerosols and droplets. That's what wearing masks is intended to partially assist with. A mask (other than an industrial strength N45 mask) protects people around you from you, not the other way around. The masks most people are wearing provide no protection to the wearer from other people.

I think the risk in a hair salon from dryers is that they would blow around the droplets and aerosols that are already in the air but I don't think that's been studied one way or the other. I doubt that the moment of time the air passes through a dryer would accomplish much, the temperature isn't that high.

One thing I read speculated that risks are greater indoors than out (as in stores), and more so where there's less air flow and fresh air being brought in. As in a closed up retail location like a hair salon.

>> "From what I understand, the virus isn't airborne"

>> I don't think this is correct. My understanding is that It's airborne in exhalation aerosols and droplets.

Yes, Elmer - that's exactly what I meant. Thanks for saying it better than I did. What I meant was that it doesn't just hang around in the air waiting to be inhaled (or blown from a hair dryer). It has to have come out of someone's mouth or nose in order to be inhaled. Note that I'm talking about the "airborne" issue only, not from touching something then touching your face, etc.

My stylist dampens my hair when I arrive. I'm fine with it not being blown dry, I'll just schedule my day accordingly. But, she may not want me walking out there front door with flat, straight, did I mention flat? hair!

Suzieq, yes, I think you and Elmer are right. Our DPH head says it is NOT like measles, where an unvaccinated person can simply walk into a room where an infected person has been, breathe, and contract measles. Measles is the more contagious virus by far.

I think I will be looking into hairdressers who make house calls once that is permissible/advisable.

eld6161, while I understand that your question is specifically about dryers, are you not concerned about the stylist being close to you and touching your hair/head? You touching the arms of the chairs, the magazines that others have read, and all of that? Of course, hopefully the salon will have done the appropriate hand washing and be wearing a mask, doing what cleaning they can., but the dryer is only one piece of the whole experience.

Several of the past articles have mentioned the virus remains alive for an estimated 3 hours when airborne. The articles are from early April so that information may have changed.

I have more concerns about what others have touched. The stylist's chairs where I go are smooth on the arms but the wash ones have arms that have raised cording. Brow waxing is done in the wash areas chairs. It is virtually impossible to disinfect the area that connects the cording to the chair.

Maifkeur, I’ve read that too. No surprise that it could be lingering in the air or even recirculated by A/C. We really have a great lack of knowledge about this virus.

Years ago I came down with a scalp condition within a week or so of a hair cut, since then I forgo the blow dry and come home and wash and vinegar rinse my hair, I'll continue that routine (and maybe throw some disinfectant on it as well lol).

If people are worried about airborn virus at the salon from a hair dryer they probably should just stay home. I plan to go in for the works. My stylist goes in this order, root color, high-lights and low-lights, shampoo, condition, trim and blowout. Sometimes a flat iron, sometimes waves. The salon is large and airy and has roomy divided stations that include a shampoo basin so no one has to wander about. I never leave my chair.

Someone who's prudent and follows guidelines from non-politicized public health sources isn't necessarily worried. And someone else who fails to use common sense and ignores publicized guidance, deciding things on their own, isn't necessarily being brave or thoughtful.

I don't have a full head of hair. I can probably hold my breath long enough from start to finish.

I am even more confused reading this thread. ( I have been going gray for a while so no color needed, and while I could certainly need a shaping/trim, I can put that off for a bit so I am not ansty to get to the salon). I truly was under the impression that the more likely exposure to the virus was through air/breathing. I thought the spread by touch was way more remote.

Yes at the supermarket I wipe down the cart and have been known to use disposable gloves and of course a mask, but I honestly felt that the wiping down the cart was really not necessary.

Reading the wisdom being shared here, it seems more of you are concerned with touching the chair and such.

It's more likely to be spread through droplets from a cough or a sneeze that fall on surfaces where it can live for several hours. You then touch it and carry it to the shopping cart handles, door handles, your face, and other surfaces.

What Toby said.

Get a dry haircut, they come out just fine, shorter time there and go home and blow it out yourself.

I can live with going grey and longer hair. I would probably die if contaminated. Easy choice for me.

I'm avoiding other people's breath, including that of a hairdresser. I'm avoiding any virus droplets transferred from her family, her other clients, or anyone else she had recently been near when out and about.

Asymptomatic people with Covid-19 are heavy 'shedders' of the virus. There's no way to know without testing, and that's only good 'in the moment'. A person can even be positive before the test results come back.

I have an appointment tomorrow in the next state for a hair cut. The only protocols she stated was that I was to wear a mask and gloves. I will update you tomorrow if she washes and blows dry my hair.

Blow dryers don't heat up enough to kill viruses. I don't remember the exact temp that is needed to kill this viruses, but I know it is over 150.

The salons here met with the governor pushing to reopen. I have no doubt that chairs etc will be sanitary and people can wait in their cars instead of the waiting room. I still wouldn’t go. I don’t want a stylist breathing on me, masked or not. Can they really cut hair on clients wearing masks? They can’t color hair like that? I’m sure I can manage my hair for the next few months and see how things go.

After your hair appointment, be sure to toss the mask and gloves - spend the day there shopping. West Virginia has always been a leader as a forward thinking state with I'm sure plenty of people who think like you do.

The gloves are one time use so they will be tossed, not the mask. I wouldn't have time to go shopping.
I'm having company tomorrow. I will stop for gas though. It is always cheaper in WV.

Thank you for helping us reach 70% of infections so we can get to herd immunity sooner. I heard nail salons spread it in California so please consider getting your nails done too.

You welcome. Yes, herd immunity very is important to put this virus to rest. It is a joy to see the young people together on the trails . In gardening season it is useless to do my nails. Beside I have the supplies to do my own in the winter months.

There's some herd mentality going on here too. In the absence of clear independent thinking, it's important to be careful what herd one joins.

Elmer, don't you find it patriotic of those who have to get their hair done, even if it means traveling out of state and bringing germs there and back, so we can reach herd immunity?

Yes Toby, of course. Such individual acts are characteristic of the kind of leadership we have in abundance right now.

Toby, we live in what is called a tri-state area. It is normal on a daily basis for people to cross over one or two of 3 states borders for
shopping,employment, entertainment or visiting family.

Yes, during normal times.

In all times. People employers are not going to move just because you live in a different state or your family isn't either. If the closest grocery store, drug store or hardware store is in another state then that is where you go. Same with health care. You use the closest medical facilities.

The topic is haircuts. You are traveling out of state to get your hair cut. A non-essential trip.

Health experts have advised that we even limit our grocery store trips.

To you it is non-essential. For me it is essential. All business and citizens are essential.

There are some cities that cross state lines so going into another state doesn't mean much. How about supporting those workers, it's better for them to have a job & receive tips than hope they can survive on their savings. If more was open here I'd be happy to give them my business.

I need a cut pretty bad but not going in for a long time. Not worth it to me. I do think I'll eventually get it through work, though. Just too many people coming in and out of our tiny office.

Some local salons are requiring clients to arrive with shampooed, dry hair. They will cut hair only. My hairdresser doesn't do dry cuts and it would be disastrous on my crazy hair anyway. I need the shampoo part - very difficult doing it at home as my ancient tub can't use a shower chair (plus I detest showers!). I could live without the blow dry until it gets cold outside again, but that would certainly be a winter problem!

Well then, that can take care of most men, but I agree Anglo, this just will not work for me.

Well I got my hair cut. Yea! They wash hair if you want . If not she wets your hair with a squirt bottle. They will do dying, perms , etc. And she did use a blow dryer. The chairs are 6 ft apart and customers wear masks and gloves. The stylist also sported a mask. I have short hair so when she was cutting around my ears I held the mask in place and removed the elastic loop on that side.