Beauticians across the county are concerned for business as the government announces they can reopen – minus key treatments.

Following the announcement that businesses in the beauty industry can reopen from Monday (July 13), many are excited to be able to finally open their doors to clients once again.

But with restrictions including a ban on treatments to the face and requirements to meet safety guidelines, on social distancing for example, some salon owners are concerned over the just how beneficial reopening will be.

“I think they have rushed it because everyone has been wanting to open for so long,” Feathers Health and Beauty owner, Lorna Pears, said.

“It’s really difficult for a lot of [salons] when the majority of them do things on the face, like lashes and brows.”

The Dalston-based salon is currently offering nail appointments to clients, but is frustrated that more popular treatments can’t be carried out due to the restrictions.

Ms Pears added: “I’m excited to be opening again, but I just wish I could open for everything. It’s really unfair on people who can only do lashes – everyone is desperate to get back to work, but it’s just a question of is it worth it?”

Under the latest rules, beauty salons, tattoo studios and spas are able to fully reopen, but must follow Covid-19 guidelines to protect customers customers and workers, and only offer treatments that “do not involve work in the highest risk zone – directly in front of the face”.

Workington salon owner Yasmin Amani Shamim is one of those keeping her business closed due to the potential lack of profits, and says it isn’t by choice.

“These new guidelines have forced us and many other salons to stay closed yet again,” the Amani Studios owner said.

“The beauty industry has been unfairly treated, especially with the newest guidelines.

“The fact they’ve allowed us to open but not give any treatments on the face is absolutely ridiculous considering 90% of our services are treatments on the face.

“We’re fully aware of the current situation and want nothing more than to keep our clients safe, but we can’t help but feel the government have a lack of knowledge on how the treatments are performed and how prepared we are with correct PPE.”

Ms Shamim added: “I know myself as well as other beauty therapists are so disappointed that we’re having to stay closed, and probably go another month with not even 80% of our wage due to furlough being reduced this month.

“We just hope that this is the first step towards getting the beauty industry safely back up and running.”

Vanessa Brown, owner of Carlisle's VL Aesthetics, is also frustrated by the new guidance, saying: “It feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth – it’s like announcing that pubs can reopen but aren’t allowed to serve alcohol.

“Around 90% of beauty and cosmetic treatments are carried out on the face, so that’s a huge amount of our business that we can’t offer right now.

“It doesn’t make sense that a dentist can work on people’s mouths, or a barber can cut people’s fringes, but even with clients wearing masks and our staff wearing PPE and observing all hygiene rules, we can’t carry out a treatment on someone’s face.”

She continued: “It was only later in the evening when the guidelines were updated that it became clear that facial treatments are still forbidden.

“It defies logic, and it just feels like a token gesture to keep a few people happy.”

Ms Brown added that she is seeking urgent clarification on why certain treatments aren’t being permitted, and hopes to be able to offer a full range of treatments soon.

“The Government needs to explain its decisions, and I think some of the guidelines need reviewing urgently so that the industry can properly reopen.”

For more details on the latest guidance, visit www.gov.uk.