marc-jacobs-facelift

“LiveLoveLift.” That was the hashtag heard around the world when Marc Jacobs shared a [bandaged selfie](https://www.instagram.com/p/CRmFuG4sDBG/) of himself late last month that led many to speculate that he had undergone a facelift. In true Marc Jacobs fashion, it didn’t take long for him to peel back the curtain and share the details of his surgery with the masses. 

<CaptionImg url={https://images.ctfassets.net/zw35sfestf1t/15I7SKiBCGnMNJBPhJ9P9I/9ae4f835f1e46de9b0107ba727323ba7/MarcJacobs1.png}>
  Marc Jacobs/Instagram
</CaptionImg>

The 58-year-old fashion designer had, in fact, gotten a facelift at the hands of [Andrew Jacono, MD](https://www.newyorkfacialplasticsurgery.com/), a double board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. The New York City-based surgeon specializes in a technique known as the [deep plane facelift](https://aedit.com/procedure/deep-plane-facelift), which is one of the most invasive but also one of the most effective types of rhytidectomy. Dr. Jacono performs the procedure in a way that leaves the skin attached to the muscle to avoid tautness and create a more natural result. “Yes, you can look like yourself but just better after #plasticsurgery,” he [wrote on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CRty0maL-tv/) in response to one of Jacobs’ post-op posts. “This is why I love the #deepplanefacelift.” 

In the days since his surgery, Jacbos has chronicled his experience every step of the way. If you were already one of his 1.6 million Instagram followers, then you are used to seeing the ins and outs of his daily routine. Even so, there was something surprising — and refreshing — about watching a public figure share their aesthetic journey in real time. 

He posted a picture of himself in a [hyperbaric oxygen chamber](https://aedit.com/aedition/benefits-of-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-after-plastic-surgery), which is used to promote healing. We’ve also gotten several more selfies from the designer, showing the evolution of recovery. Three days post-op, Jacobs’ [wrote](https://www.instagram.com/p/CRtwy2AMR3j/) that he was “ready for lewks,” as he showed off some minor swelling and bruising. 

<CaptionImg url={https://images.ctfassets.net/zw35sfestf1t/2FVnVo5Xn5ukN9NvLk2Goe/c18147ee6d017adcf123a45191885387/MarcJacobs2.png}>
  Marc Jacobs/Instagram
</CaptionImg>

By day six, those side effects had intensified. “Bruised. Sore. And super swollen,” he [wrote on IG](https://www.instagram.com/p/CRzEnzWMzqj/), adding that he was on his way to see Dr. Jacono for an HBOT treatment. The next day (i.e. one-week post-op), Jacobs [said](https://www.instagram.com/p/CR18QnQFHAT/) that he was “feeling the healing.” On day 10, the designer was [updating](https://www.instagram.com/p/CR9dPWtl8mK/) us all that his stitches had been removed.

<CaptionImg url={https://images.ctfassets.net/zw35sfestf1t/3Y6drxSoMMdXXno89Mmcks/14f74bac115c2d96d310c5a3c5dad1f7/MarcJacobs3.png}>
  Marc Jacobs/Instagram
</CaptionImg>

Along the way, Jacobs has been punctuating his posts with hashtags like #NothingToHide and #NoShameInMyGame. With a jawline like that, who could blame him? 

We so often write about the plastic surgery healing process and how patients plan their procedures with discretion in mind. The ability to [recover](https://aedit.com/aedition/facelift-recovery-healing-process) quietly at home with undisrupted downtime factors into when surgeries are scheduled, and there is certainly nothing wrong with stepping away from the spotlight for a few weeks to heal. 

In the past, when celebrities have chosen to disclose that they went under the knife, we hear from them after the swelling has subsided and they are back out in the public eye. By letting us in on the period in between, Jacobs is pioneering a new kind of transparency and paving the way for others to speak candidly about what to expect from procedures. 

In an [interview with Vogue](https://www.vogue.com/article/marc-jacobs-plastic-surgery-face-lift-aging), the designer confirmed his intention to normalize the conversation around cosmetic surgery. As he explained, he was a longtime patient of Fredric Brandt, MD, and began seeing NYC-based board certified dermatologist [Paul Jarrod Frank, MD](https://pfrankmd.com/), after his passing. In addition to [Botox®](https://aedit.com/procedure/botox) and [filler](https://aedit.com/procedure/dermal-filler-and-injectable-solutions), Jacobs said that he started getting [thread lifts](https://aedit.com/procedure/thread-lift) “to hold up his jowls” and the area of his face “where the skin was sagging.” When the benefits became a bit too short-lived for his taste, and Dr. Frank recommended a consultation with a plastic surgeon.

After consulting with Dr. Jacono, Jacobs knew he had met his man, and he never thought twice about sharing his experience. “I’m not covering my face. I’m not wearing sunglasses. I’m not incognito. I’ve got some scars around my ears, and my face is swollen, and I have a bruised neck, but I’m still posting on Instagram,” Jacobs [told Vogue](https://www.vogue.com/article/marc-jacobs-plastic-surgery-face-lift-aging). “I don’t care. I don’t even see it as an effort to be transparent. I’m doing what I normally do, which is I’m living my life and sharing it with anybody who is interested.”

We’ve all read the celebrity interviews in which they play coy on what’s flowing into their fountain of youth, and Jacobs isn’t here for it. “It seems so crazy when an actor or public figure denies that they've done something,” he [said](https://www.vogue.com/article/marc-jacobs-plastic-surgery-face-lift-aging). “And they say like, ‘Oh, it's olive oil, I bathe in seltzer.' It's like, come on. Like all those things might be true, but they're not why your neck is tight.” Not only does this behavior perpetuate unattainable notions of beauty, it also perpetuates the notion that having work done is something to be self-conscious about.

In response to one of Jacobs post-op pictures, Dr. Jacono [praised](https://www.instagram.com/p/CRty0maL-tv/) his patient for his “transparency and authenticity” that will “give others the courage in their journey of self care to take control of their appearance.” In speaking with Vogue, Jacobs admitted he was surprised by the adulation he’s received, but he is hopeful for what it might mean for the future. “I think you just need to start a conversation, and then maybe that will have a resounding echo that helps people feel less ashamed,” he [told the mag](https://www.vogue.com/article/marc-jacobs-plastic-surgery-face-lift-aging). “I just don’t think there’s shame in being vain.” 

Insert our hand clapping emoji here.

Now Trending

We’re used to public figures crediting water, olive oil, and maybe a little self care for their ageless complexions, but the iconic fashion designer just changed that.

Why Marc Jacobs’ Transparency About His Facelift Matters

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If you are a regular AEDIT user, you are familiar with our mission to simplify and safeguard the search for aesthetic solutions and qualified providers through innovative, user-first technology. Today, we are excited to announce the results of our inaugural consumer trends survey. 2020 brought unprecedented changes to the entire world. Now, we’re exploring how the year changed the aesthetic landscape and consumer behavior as priorities shifted.

Findings indicate that millennials and gen Z now account for the largest age group interested in aesthetic procedures. The [COVID-19 pandemic](https://aedit.com/aedition/plastic-surgery-dermatology-cosmetic-dentistry-practices-reopening-during-covid-19) has not slowed down this demographic’s interest in pursuing self-confidence and self-expression through beauty. The rise of video conferencing for work and widespread communication, as well as rapid advances in beauty technology, have helped to [strengthen demand](https://aedit.com/aedition/best-aesthetic-procedures-to-combine-to-maximize-appointments) for aesthetic treatments and procedures over the past year. 

AEDIT polled 1,000 men and women ages 18 and over to unearth the biggest beauty trends of 2020 and how the unprecedented year altered our aesthetic proclivities — possibly forever. 

![AEDIT-2020-aesthetic-trends-infographic](//images.ctfassets.net/zw35sfestf1t/5QhHe0VPhNmEdrdoDDMl15/82c05bca824db9cecb80dfb9e634f9e3/AEDIT-2020-aesthetic-trends-infographic.jpg)

## **The Zoom Effect** 
Never before have we been so bombarded with seeing ourselves on video. With the advent of daily Zoom meetings, Google Hangouts, and FaceTimes, people who are not used to viewing themselves on screen were suddenly thrust into their very own spotlight. This led to nitpicking their appearances. AEDIT’s survey found that those interested in non-surgical and surgical treatments participate in video conferencing meetings significantly more often than those who do not. In fact, 39 percent of respondents who use video conferencing weekly reported interest in non-surgical aesthetic treatments, while 37 percent reported interest in surgical treatments. 

A full 29 percent of millennials agree that using video conferencing makes them [more interested](https://aedit.com/aedition/influence-of-covid-19-face-masks-on-medical-aesthetics-trends) in getting aesthetic treatments. The biggest areas of concern for those who engage in regular video conferences are their teeth (39 percent), weight (33 percent), stomach/midsection (28 percent), under eye bags/pouches (23 percent), and hair thinning/loss (16 percent).

Despite spending significantly [more time at home](https://aedit.com/aedition/aestheticians-dermatologists-share-at-home-skincare-tips) in 2020, demand for treatments remained high with 23 percent of respondents stating that they are more interested in aesthetic treatments now that they can recover at home during the pandemic.

## **The Dawn of a Digital Age of Aesthetics** 
“Technology is revolutionizing the beauty industry. It places more emphasis on personalized experiences, giving consumers the opportunity to be in more control of their beauty decisions, whether that be virtually trying on lipstick before purchasing or, in our case, [trying on a cosmetic procedure](https://aedit.com/aeditor-app) before booking a consultation,” shares Willian A. Kennedy III, MD, a double board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of AEDIT.

Much like our social and work lives, many of those [consultations are moving virtual](https://aedit.com/aedition/virtual-consultations-telemedicine-plastic-surgery-dermatology-cosmetic-dentistry). The AEDIT survey reveals that the pandemic has decreased interest in going into doctors’ offices and has increased interest in telemedicine by over 20 percent.

Moreover, 44 percent of survey respondents wish there was a way to see exactly how surgery would affect their face before taking the leap. This desire is even greater for younger women, with 50 percent of millennials and gen Z and 51 percent of women showing keen intrigue in the ability to predict the outcome of aesthetic procedures.

As a way to address this desire, AEDIT created a platform that offers medically approved, easy-to-understand information and a 3D aesthetic simulator — [The AEDITOR](https://aedit.com/aeditor-app) — that allows users to virtually ‘try on’ cosmetic procedures and visualize realistic results right from the palm of their hand. The iOS app is the most accurate facial morphing technology available outside a professional medical setting. 

While AEDITOR was not specifically asked about in the survey, 55 percent of adults (including 62 percent of women and 67 percent of millennials and gen Z) indicated that they would be interested in an app or website that would allow them to see how surgery or aesthetic procedures affect their face/looks in a medically accurate way. 

## **Owning It Is In — So Is Good Skin**
Millennials have long been influencing beauty trends as the first generation who came of age during the digital revolution. However, baby boomers tend to eclipse them when it comes to seeking out a tweak, lift, or poke in the search to remain naturally ageless.

A shift is happening. The AEDIT survey showed that [millennials and gen Z](https://aedit.com/aedition/millennial-cosmetic-surgery-aesthetic-medicine-trends) have significantly more interest in non-surgical and surgical treatments than men and women age 35 and up — *and* they are more likely to already have seen a doctor or had a surgical treatment than their gen X and boomer peers. Millennials and, now, gen Z, largely embrace aesthetic edits with open arms and zero apologies. 40 percent stated they do not feel ashamed or embarrassed of getting aesthetic treatments. 

The survey supports this, showing that over 40 percent of respondents still want to feel confident in their looks during the pandemic. This population is specifically interested in aesthetic treatments to look *naturally* more attractive. It’s not surprising then that the survey also uncovered a jump in participants using facial [skincare products](https://aedit.com/aedition/category/skincare) during the pandemic, despite a decrease in using cosmetics in 2020.

“At AEDIT, we believe true beauty is unearthed by those who choose to be uniquely themselves rather than conform to a standard,” Dr. Kennedy notes. “We strive to inspire a movement that will empower everyone to be bold and challenge the preconceived notions of beauty by living by their own aesthetic.”

## **Looking Ahead**
AEDIT [Beauty Board](https://aedit.com/beauty-board) member and Beverly Hills-based double board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon [Andrew Frankel, MD](https://aedit.com/provider/andrew-frankel-md-275), predicts, “[2021 will begin](https://aedit.com/aedition/biggest-medical-aesthetics-trends-of-2021-for-face-body) as 2020 has been for the past three months. There might be a lull in elective surgery once the pandemic is cleared and life returns to normal because people will likely not want to be home recuperating at that point — they will long to be out enjoying themselves. As such, promoting injectables and non-surgical procedures will be fruitful right as the world opens up again and people wish to look their best upon reentry.”

*AEDIT and third-party [ACUPOLL Precision Research](https://www.acupoll.com/) conducted an online survey in December 2020 of a nationally-representative population of 1,000 male (n = 539) and female (n = 460) respondents 18 years of age and older.*

Video conferencing, beauty tech, natural skin, and millennials are making waves in our latest consumer survey.

AEDIT Survey Reveals How 2020 Altered The Aesthetic Procedure Landscape

AEDIT Survey Reveals How 2020 Altered The Aesthetic Landscape Forever

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Earlier this month, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued [emergency use authorization](https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/moderna-covid-19-vaccine) for two coronavirus vaccines — one from Pfizer and one from Moderna. While the majority of vaccine recipients experience very mild side effects (think: headache, fatigue, and injection-site pain), a trio of participants with [dermal filler](https://aedit.com/aedition/everything-you-need-to-know-about-dermal-fillers) experienced localized facial swelling after receiving the Moderna vaccine. The localized areas of facial swelling occurred in the location of the filler.

In a December 17 [committee meeting](https://www.fda.gov/media/144451/download) focused on the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, FDA medical officer Rachel Zhang, MD, reported three people with hyaluronic acid (HA)-based filler developed facial or lip swelling after they received the vaccine in Moderna’s phase 3 trial. Two of the patients had cheek filler injections six months *prior* to the vaccination, while the third got [lip filler](https://aedit.com/procedure/temporary-lip-fillers) two days *after* inoculation. 

For all three participants, the reactions were temporary and either resolved without intervention or required simple treatment. In the case of the patient who received lip injections two days *after* the vaccine, it’s unclear whether the inflammatory response was the result of the vaccine or simply the [normal swelling](https://aedit.com/aedition/how-to-treat-minimize-swelling-after-cosmetic-surgery) that accompanies the injection of water-binding gel filler.

So, what’s causing the reaction? What is clear thus far is that COVID-19 antibodies formed by the body in response to the COVID-19 vaccine **do not** fight or attack dermal fillers. Instead, the vaccine triggers a Type IV hypersensitivity reaction to the HA filler. Type IV hypersensitivity reactions are delayed allergic reactions to any foreign substance in the body. Many triggers can induce the late-onset response — including the flu vaccine, common cold, and certain medications — and it can happen several months to even a year after getting the injectable. 

More often than not, late-onset inflammatory reactions to HA fillers are easily treated with oral steroids. In some instances, the allergic reaction can cause the HA filler to be partially degraded, resulting in lumps and nodules. In these rare cases, the patient may decide to dissolve the filler altogether with hyaluronidase.

Delayed inflammation associated with HA fillers is not necessarily brand specific, though [a study published](https://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/2017/12000/late_onset_inflammatory_response_to_hyaluronic.4.aspx) in the December 2017 edition of *Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open* found that in cases where two different brands were injected during the same session, sometimes only one type triggered a hypersensitivity reaction. The authors concluded the data “suggests that the technology used in the manufacturing process, and the subsequent differing products of degradation, may have an influence on potential allergic reactions to HA fillers.”

The reactions reported from the Moderna trial and previous evidence seems to [suggest a link](https://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/2017/12000/late_onset_inflammatory_response_to_hyaluronic.4.aspx) between the Juvéderm Vycross collection of filler — including Voluma, Vollure, and Volbella — and Type IV hypersensitivity reactions, but swelling has also been reported with brands like Restylane and, most recently, [Revance RHA](https://aedit.com/aedition/clean-injectable-filler-neurotoxin-trend). 

While dermal filler patients should be aware of the possibility of a localized inflammatory response to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the cases are rare and the effects are self-limiting and readily treatable. The risks associated with receiving the COVID-19 vaccine have thus far proven to be very low and do not outweigh the benefits of delaying or not receiving the vaccine. If you have questions about potential side effects, be sure to consult with your provider.

A trio of Moderna phase 3 trial participants with facial filler experienced temporary swelling after vaccination. Here’s what you need to know.

The Relationship Between The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine And Dermal Filler Swelling

What You Need To Know About The COVID-19 Vaccine And Dermal Filler Swelling

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Those of us who haven’t been brave enough to let our significant other or roommate cut our hair have seen our manes reach new lengths during the COVID-19 pandemic. With [hair salons reopening](https://aedit.com/aedition/safety-protocols-at-hair-salons-reopening-after-covid-19) in most states, you may be tempted to book a trim. But, what if a few extra inches could go a long way toward changing someone’s life? Hair donation charities are urging us to chop our pandemic ponytails for a good cause. Here is what you need to know. 

## **The Impact of COVID-19 on Hair Donations**
It should come as no surprise that hair donations came to a screeching halt at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. With salons closed across the United States, people had nowhere to go for their charitable cuts. Not to mention, there was uncertainty around the safety of handling potentially virus-infected hair. Since salons have reopened and research has mitigated such concerns, hair donations are resuming once again — but they still have a long way to go before reaching pre-COVID rates.

[Hair We Share](https://hairweshare.org/), a Long Island-based nonprofit, is one of the many organizations that has been impacted by the pandemic. According to co-founder Dean Riskin, hair donations slowed to “almost nothing” in the spring, but they are now back to receiving ponytails on a daily basis. Nonetheless, challenges remain.

The Hair We Share factories are closed for the foreseeable future. “The only problem now is that our ponytails are being shipped to factories, but there is no labor,” Riskin says. “We’re able to keep up with [demand], since we already had several hundred wigs created.” Once the factories reopen, it will take about 12 weeks to complete the wig-making process. The three-month span includes hand tying the wigs and also styling, photographing, and posting for “adoption.”

Other charities, like [Locks of Love](http://locksoflove.org), have been able to continue with production during the pandemic. This was particularly important for the organization since it customizes its hairpieces for each recipient. While production was never shut down, Madonna Coffman, president and founder of Locks of Love, says there are delays in shipping and setbacks from office closures. 

In March, the nonprofit [asked its social media followers](https://www.instagram.com/p/B-N0duvgfu6/) to temporarily stop sending donations because it was unable to receive deliveries. “We were closed for about three or four weeks [in late March],” Coffman shares. “Although we tried to have someone in the office once a week so the mail could be delivered, unfortunately our volunteers can’t come in because of social distancing.”

As stay-at-home orders in many states stretched on and people saw their strands grow longer than ever before, Coffman says her team noticed a lot of support on social media. Hashtags like #PandemicPonytails and #CovidCuts began to crop up in April, and Locks of Love saw a correlation to donations — though they’re not yet back to pre-pandemic levels. “We opened back up and did see those ponytails coming in,” she says. “They’re certainly not back at the level where they were before COVID, but we’re seeing an uptick and that’s great because our hair donors really keep us going.” 

Coffman remains hopeful that donations will return to normal once people feel comfortable getting their hair cut again. Plus, holding out a bit longer has its benefits. “If you’ve waited this long and you only need one more inch, just hang on a little bit longer before cutting,” Coffman pleads.

## **How to Donate Your Hair** 
Not all charities have the same requirements for donated hair. Before hopping in the barber’s chair, research each organization's guidelines for donating. For instance, [Wigs for Kids](https://www.wigsforkids.org/) requires a minimum of a foot and the [BeYOUtiful Foundation](https://www.beyoutifulfoundation.com/) asks for at least 10 inches, whereas Hair We Share and [Children with Hair Loss](https://childrenwithhairloss.us/) need eight inches. While most charities do not accept highlighted hair, Locks of Love does allow non-bleached hair. Most (if not all) organizations will accept gray hair and all textures, though some may require virgin hair that has never been chemically treated through perms or relaxers.
 
After your haircut, many charities accept hair donations by mail. Donors are usually responsible for sending the hair to the wig-making charity, although some salons are affiliated with donation centers and may take care of it for you. When you are ready to ship, carefully place your *dry* hair sample in a plastic bag. Depending on the nonprofit organization, hair should either be tied in a ponytail or braid with rubber bands placed at multiple lengths to keep it intact. 

After the hair has been received, the organization will process it and either pass it along to a third party manufacturer or their own factory. Some charities, like Hair We Share, allow donors to see the end result of their gift. For a $125 donation, donors can enter into Hair We Share’s [Ponytail Tracking Program](https://hairweshare.org/donate-to-hair-we-share/) for a first-hand look at the wig-making process and, potentially, a photo of the recipient wearing the finished product.

## **How to Prepare for the Cut** 
While nothing beats the feel-good factor that comes with a hair donation, there is no doubt an emotional aspect to the process. [Jill Buck](https://www.instagram.com/jill901/), a master stylist at [Nine Zero One](https://www.ninezeroonesalon.com/) in Los Angeles and creative director of the BeYOUtiful Foundation, specializes in charitable cuts and says the chop can bring up a lot of feelings. 

“Whether you are cutting your hair to give to a stranger, a friend in need, or even before you are losing it due to chemo, it is a big deal,” she says. “My advice is to plan it. Don’t decide on a whim. Have a good idea of what type of hairstyle you want after the length is gone. Don’t forget, you are helping someone in need. And, if you are fortunate enough to be healthy, it will grow back.”

If you are waiting to cut your pandemic ponytail, there are [steps you can take at home](https://aedit.com/aedition/at-home-hair-care-tips) to improve your hair health. As Buck explains, minimizing the amount of times you color your hair and using high-quality shampoos and conditioners are good places to start. Oh, and refrain from the urge to DIY the cut. 

While it may be tempting to cut your own hair — especially if local hair salons aren’t open — Buck strongly recommends waiting to meet with a professional. Trained stylists will be able to give you an even cut and style and use scissors specifically designed for cutting hair. As it turns out, Bucks says split ends are often a result of using kitchen scissors (who knew?!).

Style blogger Jessica Camerata of [My Style Vita](https://mystylevita.com/) recently donated her back-grazing brunette locks (as documented [HERE](https://mystylevita.com/hair-donation-organizations/)), and she recommends bringing inspiration photos and chatting with your hairstylist about your vision before making the cut. Depending on the hairstyle, your donation may be cut to different lengths in different sections — à la Camerata’s super chic lob. 

Still in need of style inspo? Buck has you covered. “For those with thicker or curly hair, I recommend a light and fresh textured short cut to help keep styling easy,” she suggests. “A professional will be able to take weight and bulk out in order to keep the hair from getting a ‘mushroom’ shape. For those of you with fine hair, I love seeing a blunt bob that will help your hair appear thicker and healthy.” 

With hair salons reopening, you may be tempted to book a trim. But, what if a few extra inches could change someone’s life? It's time to chop your pandemic ponytail for a good cause.

How To Donate Your Hair During COVID-19

Wig-Making Charities Need Your Pandemic Ponytail

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Despite a regular exercise regimen and healthy diet, [cellulite](https://aedit.com/aedition/the-complete-guide-to-cellulite) is something that many women — nine out of 10 of us, to be precise — can’t shake. There are many topical treatments (think: lotions and scrubs) on the market that temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite, and a few surgical procedures address the bands under the skin’s surface that can lead to dimpling. Now, there will be a minimally invasive cosmetic solution providing women an injectable option that goes below the surface of the skin to address the cause of cellulite.
 
Endo Aesthetics [recently received approval](https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8729551-endo-international-fda-approval/) from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Qwo™ (a.k.a. collagenase clostridium histolyticum-aaes), becoming the first injectable indicated to treat moderate to severe cellulite of the buttocks in adult women. 
 
## **How Qwo™ Works**
So, how does the cellulite-smoothing injectable work? New York City-based board certified dermatologist and Qwo™ clinical investigator [Anne Chapas, MD](https://www.unionderm.com/about/dr-anne-chapas/), says Qwo™ is the first-ever minimally invasive injectable procedure that releases fibrous septae enzymatically by specifically targeting types 1 and 3 collagen. “This means the injectable is targeting the bands beneath the skin surface directly, which results in the smoothing of the skin for the improved appearance of cellulite,” she adds.  
 
## **The Qwo™ Treatment**
[Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD](https://www.moderndermct.com/deanne-mraz-robinson), a board certified dermatologist and Qwo™ clinical investigator in Westport, Connecticut, says that the process for Qwo™ is quick and easy. “The area is first marked up with a pen of the target areas and then your doctor will inject the marked up area,” she explains. Patients do not need anesthesia (the treatment is, reportedly, relatively painless), and they can leave their doctors’ offices and go about their day as they normally would. “During the trials, my patients said it hurt less than Botox®, which makes sense since your buttocks have more fat than your face,” Dr. Mraz Robinson notes.

## **Qwo™ Recovery & Results**
“Although there is no perfect, quick fix, viable adult women patients can expect a distinct difference in the appearance of cellulite on their buttocks,” Dr. Chapas shares. In order to get FDA approval, clinical trial participants and investigators needed to ensure they were reporting a two-point improvement in cellulite severity, ”which basically means going from having a lot of cellulite to a visibly smooth bum,” she says. Endo included women of all [Fitzpatrick skin types](https://aedit.com/aedition/guide-to-fitzpatrick-skin-types) in the trial, with nearly 30 percent of those treated with Qwo™ being Fitzpatrick IV, V, and VI. “So, we know this works on women of all ethnicities, which is great because women of all ages, colors, and body types get cellulite,” Dr. Chapas explains.
 
How does Qwo™ compare to [Cellfina®](https://aedit.com/procedure/cellfina) and [Cellulaze®](https://aedit.com/procedure/cellulaze) — the two cellulite procedures currently on the market? “While Cellfina® and Cellulaze® also target the bands under the surface of the skin, they work by severing the septae mechanically, either by knife or with laser energy, and not showing significant results,” Dr. Mraz Robinson says. “Qwo™ is minimally invasive and injected into the skin, with a much simpler recovery and visible results.”

### **Side Effects**
Like any injectable treatment, there is a risk of swelling and bruising at the injection site. Dr. Mraz Robinson says patients can expect bruising to last up to two weeks, so she advises patients to plan their treatments accordingly. “You should not get this the week you are heading for a beach vacation,” she cautions. 

## **Qwo™ Cost & Maintenance**
Qwo™ requires a total of three sessions, spaced 21 days apart for a lasting result of a year or more. Each session takes about 30 minutes. While the cost of Qwo™ has not yet been determined, Endo Aesthetics aims to price it for widespread adoption. Dr. Mraz Robinson believes the market is ready for its arrival, for patients are eager for a cellulite treatment that actually works. “I expect that Qwo™ will be in high-demand when it launches in 2021,” she says.

The FDA just approved the first-ever injectable treatment for cellulite, Endo Aesthetics’ Qwo™, and early indications are that it’s going to be a game changer.

FDA Approval Of Qwo Injectable For Cellulite Treatment In Women

Here’s What You Need To Know About Qwo — The New Injectable For Cellulite

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I don’t know about you, but my face is freaking out. Between Zoom-illuminated under eye circles, [maskne that’s triggering teen trauma](https://aedit.com/aedition/how-to-treat-prevent-acne-caused-by-covid-19-masks-face-coverings), and a complexion dulled by quarantine cocktail hour(s), I’m in serious need of some professional assistance. 

My poor pores.

Fortunately, the stars have finally aligned. The State of California, Los Angeles County, and the City of Beverly Hills have all declared that it’s now possible for salons to provide post-quarantine  skincare services. And since I’ve managed to snag an appointment at one of L.A.’s hottest skin care meccas — [Lemaje](https://lemajeskincare.com/) on Robertson Boulevard — I’m absolutely beaming beneath my mask (can’t you tell?).

I’m stoked and, at the same time, a little apprehensive. I’m sure my skin will get the attention it deserves. But selfishly I wonder: Will I? Is this going to be the same pampering, relaxation-inducing experience I’m used to or will hand sanitizer and PPE prevent me from enjoying myself?

It’s a sunny, unusually humid afternoon in SoCal as I head out sans-makeup in quarantine casual. Not exactly dressed for a day of Beverly Hills boutiquing and brunch at The Ivy, but I’ve put on a bra and sneakers without holes. With the incredible lack of L.A. traffic, I make it there in record time. The first thing I notice when I arrive at Lemaje is the utter abundance of street parking. Like, there are spots — *plural* — on both sides of the tony, shop-lined street. While I feel for the proprietors of the many shuttered stores, I’m elated about my positive parking karma.

Per protocol, I wait outside in my mask for my appointment to begin — no perusing the pages of the latest gossip mags in the waiting area. An assistant props open the door to welcome me into the salon, as Maria emerges from behind the newly-installed plexiglass protecting the reception station to touchlessly take my temperature and squirt sanitizer into my hands. Owner and master esthetician Marina Lerman, who’s been in business for more than two decades, is also there to greet me. Her mask and face shield are unable to hide her smiling excitement to be receiving clients again at her salon.

Marina leads me down the hallway to Room 3, where the mood lighting and soothing music making my apprehensions melt away. Some things haven’t changed. I slip into the white terry cloth wrap and under the cozy covers to await my prognosis. *What will Marina say about my skin?* As if quarantine weren’t bad enough, lately it seems like I’ve simultaneously aged ten years *and* time-traveled back to my breakout years.

Marina breezes back in and cleanses my face with a soothing, repetitive motion of her gloved hands. I’m surprised that the gloves don’t feel as foreign as I’d assumed they would, and Marina tells me that she spent hours sourcing the softest, thinnest gloves available. “Most of the clients say they don’t mind,” she mentions. After removing the cleanser from my face with a warm, damp towel, she flips on the interrogation-grade lighting to examine the state of my complexion. “Mmmhmm,” she murmurs, “some pigmentation here, dryness over here… a bit of blackheads and whiteheads.” She pinches my cheeks a bit forcefully. “You have good tone. Your skin is not too sensitive,” she asserts in her Russian accent. “You have *pretty* good skin.”

She agrees that my melasma is noticeable but not terrible, and that I may be showing signs of mild rosacea. “Ask your dermatologist,” she advises. “Maybe a peel in the wintertime.” Marina gets the steam ready. “You’ll steam for eight minutes,” she instructs. “It’s very important that the steam be nice and warm, not too cold or too hot.”

She leaves me with the warm mist wafting across my face, and I feel myself melting just a little bit more into memories of carefree, pre-quarantine days. When Marina returns, I’m feeling very relaxed and ready for my facial massage. Turns out, I only thought I was relaxed. As she works her hands over the muscles of my neck and collarbone, Marina declares that I am “very, very tight.” The heels of her hands convene at the top of my sternum and extend outwards below my collarbone as she presses down firmly. “Feel yourself opening up like a book,” she commands.

I’m visualizing — hard — but I can tell this book ain’t budging. Months of hunching over the keyboard combined with zero trips to the gym to strength train and stretch flash before me as a mini-panic wave threatens to crash this facial siesta. Thankfully, Marina is completely unfazed by my unspoken internal chaos as she massages and manipulates my neck, arms, and décolleté until I finally submit. “Much better,” she proclaims. “Now we start on the face.”

Marina massages my cheeks and along my jawline using a combination of pressure from her fingertips and quick, pinching motions that feel like she’s trying to snap my skin into submission. It’s not as painful as it sounds. She tells me that she learned this technique, which stimulates blood flow and improves muscle tone, back in Russia. “It’s like a workout for your face,” she explains. “We go to the gym to strengthen our bodies but our face? No.” She compares taking care of your skin to maintaining a regular exercise routine. “The results of treatment stack up and keep your face lifted the more often you do it,” she explains. “It’s like working out: if you stop then you’ll gain weight, just like if you stop facial treatments, the effect won’t last.”

She checks in to make sure I’m doing okay, but, truthfully, the technique appeals to my Scandanavian sensibility. A little bit of pain means it must be working. When she’s finished, she remarks about my improved color and tone as she sets up for the next act: My first-ever oxygen facial. Soon, I’ll be ready for my close-up.

The [Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial](https://intraceuticals.com/our-expertise/oxygen-facial.html) has become a part of red carpet lore. Starlets swear by it — legend has it that Madonna kept a machine and an esthetician on standby so she could get glowing before every appearance. Marina checks to make sure I’m not allergic to vitamin C, which she explains is an integral part of the hyaluronic acid-based serum that she’ll infuse into the upper layers of my epidermis. She shows me the nebulizer tool (essentially an airbrush) that’s connected to a compressor that uses oxygen instead of regular old air. The idea is that the pressurized oxygen, along with the aerosolized serum (customized for each client’s complexion) penetrates to deliver skin-stimulating molecules, which impart an immediate, youthful radiance.

Sounds good to me.

Google this treatment, and you’ll find a fair number of naysayers — none of whom can deny the visible benefits well-documented by countless happy clients. If Marina, who at 58 looks more dewy and glowing than some of the Gen-Zers I know, swears by this solution to maintain her own beautiful skin. I’m all in.

Marina moves the tool methodically over each area of my face using slow, sweeping strokes that feel like a super-cool breeze. I don’t usually do cold. Or breezes. But, surprisingly, it’s extremely invigorating. We pause for a picture after she’s completed the entire right side. “You see how plump and *beautiful* it is, compared to the other side?” she remarks to her assistant as she gets going on my left cheek. I can’t wait to catch a glimpse of the new, post-quarantine me.

Speaking of quarantine, I ask Marina about how the shutdown affected her and her business. “I’m a workaholic, so I was going a tiny bit crazy,” she confesses. “But it would be unfair for me to say I suffered because everyone suffered. No matter what kind of business you have, everyone lost revenue when this pandemic shut down the city.” She says that CARES Act loans and a spike in their online product sales helped Lemaje weather the storm.

When I inquire about all the new regulations, Marina is matter-of-fact. “We’ve pretty much always followed these protocols,” she explains. “We have always had fresh sheets ready on the treatment beds and fresh towels, gowns, and headbands for each client.” She tells me that, in addition to wiping everything down with sanitizer, salon employees now sweep the entire treatment room with a UV sanitizing wand between clients.

As she’s finishing up, Marina asks me how I feel. Like Keanu Reeves in *The Matrix* awakening after his first training session: *I know kung fu.* Or Gwyneth Paltrow the morning after bedding the bard in *Shakespeare In Love*: *It is a new world.* “Wonderful,” I gush — and I haven’t even seen myself yet.

She leaves me to get changed, and I gaze for a moment in the mirror. *Holy smokes.* I’m plump and vibrant and glowing like a Rubens cherub. On my way home, I keep snatching glances in the rearview mirror. It’s like I’ve been real-life Facetuned. My daughter asks me how it went and quickly exclaims, “Wow, all your little wrinkles are gone.” Not even that ego-crushing reality check of a compliment can phase me because *yeah, she’s right.*

It’s true what they say. Looking better makes you feel better. “At the end of the day, people still need to look beautiful,” Marina had told me. But today I’ve realized that there’s more to it than that. People still need pampering, and, thankfully, people like Marina have a passion for providing it.

Patient Perspective

With masks and facial coverings part of the new normal, one writer took hers off for a facial in Beverly Hills. Was it worth it?

What It's Like To Visit A Beauty Salon For A Facial During COVID-19

Here’s What Happened When I Got A Facial During COVID-19

shutterstock 317585807

We’ve covered what it’s like to [visit a hair salon](https://aedit.com/aedition/safety-protocols-at-hair-salons-reopening-after-covid-19) and [get your nails done](https://aedit.com/aedition/what-its-like-to-visit-a-nail-salon-during-covid-19) during the COVID-19 pandemic, but what about visiting your plastic surgeon, dermatologist, cosmetic dentist for an elective surgery or procedure? 

Whether you had a procedure scheduled that was cancelled due to the moratorium on elective surgery, want to resume your quarterly Botox® appointments, or are like the many people who have a [new interest in cosmetic treatments](https://aedit.com/aedition/popularity-of-eyelid-surgery-cosmetic-eye-procedures-during-covid-19) after examining their reflection in the front-facing camera lenses of Zoom and FaceTime calls, aesthetic practices are trying to navigate the ‘new normal’ and figure out how to best serve their patients.

To better understand what to expect when you visit your provider, we’re rounding up the new rules and speaking with board certified plastic surgeons about the protocols they’ve put in place at their own practices. 

## **The New Guidelines** 
Some plastic surgery, dermatology, and dentistry practices began reopening as early as mid-April, while others resumed services later either because of regulation or preference. With most parts of the country now allowing non-essential businesses to operate with limited capacity, the [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)](https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-recommendations-reopening-facilities-provide-non-emergent-care.pdf) has established rules for non-emergent and non-COVID cases (NCC), which include:

*“Non-emergent, Non-COVID care (NCC) should be offered to patients, as clinically appropriate, in localities or facilities that have the resources to provide such care, as well as the ability to quickly respond to a surge in COVID-19 cases, if necessary. Decisions should be consistent with Federal, State, and local orders, and CDC guidance and made in collaboration with State and local public health authorities.”*

Those decisions also have to be compliant with the executive orders for medical, dental, and surgical procedures placed by state and local governments (see what that means for your state [HERE](https://www.facs.org/covid-19/legislative-regulatory/executive-orders)). In California, where elective surgeries resumed on April 27, Beverly Hills-based facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon [Jonathan Cabin, MD](https://aedit.com/provider/jonathan-cabin-md-956), says the inner workings of plastic surgery practices are being transformed. “We changed the office configurations so everyone is in their own space,” he explains. “We also have schedules for multiple cleanings per day with medical-grade disinfectants.”

And the changes go deeper than disinfecting and distancing. “Reopening my practice has been challenging but also enlightening,” [Gregory Buford, MD](https://aedit.com/provider/gregory-buford-md-1015), a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Denver, CO. “As we enter what is truly a new iteration of the medical practice, we are forced to change the way that we see the patient-physician interaction and adapt accordingly.”

## **Practice Protocols** 
In conjunction with local and regional health regulations, the [American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/american-society-of-plastic-surgeons-releases-new-guidance-for-resuming-elective-procedures-amid-covid19) has established recommendations for aesthetic practices to keep their staff and patients safe: 

- Universal masking procedures 
- Mandatory gloves for both patients and staff
- Mandatory temperature and screening checks upon entry 
- Patients must be asymptomatic 
- Limiting of patients per day
- Availability of COVID-19 testing 
- Mandatory staff education 
- Limited in-office consultations in favor of telemedicine
- Online patient portals and e-communication for registration and paperwork 
- Eliminating waiting rooms 
- HEPA filters placed throughout the facility 
- Increased [decontamination protocols](https://www.apsf.org/faq-on-anesthesia-machine-use-protection-and-decontamination-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/#filter) for anesthesia machines  
- [Frequent cleanings](https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2-covid-19) for all high-touch areas 
- Contactless payment

Some practices have taken these guidelines a step further. “Everyone from the office changes into scrubs when they come in and back to their street clothes when they leave,” Dr. Cabin shares. “We also have HEPA filters in all the rooms, and a UV sterilizing lamp to use between patient visits.” 

## **Patient Protocols** 
For patients, there are similar guidelines in place. While they may vary slightly by practice, anyone going in for an elective procedure or cosmetic appointment may be asked to:

- Consult with their provider via telemedicine prior to appointment
- Fill out all necessary paperwork online 
- Wait offsite before entering
- Be screened for COVID-19 symptoms or fever
- Wear a mask and gloves when arriving for scheduled appointment 
- Limit the number of visitors per appointment

Making sure patients feel comfortable is the number one priority of providers. “We want to make our patients feel psychologically safe, so when they enter our office they feel comfortable,” Dr. Cabin says. With that in mind, below are five ways aesthetic practices are trying to give patients peace of mind:  

## **1. Telemedicine** 
Before the outbreak, patients were more likely to consult with their surgeon pre- and post-op in person, but providers are now opting for [virtual appointments](https://aedit.com/aedition/virtual-consultations-telemedicine-plastic-surgery-dermatology-cosmetic-dentistry) as their primary form of communication. “Virtual encounters with both new and established patients have become more of the norm than the exception,” Dr. Buford says. 

<RelatedContent
  title={How To Prepare For A Virtual Consultation}
  slug={virtual-consultations-telemedicine-plastic-surgery-dermatology-cosmetic-dentistry}
/>

By doing as many appointments virtually as possible, Dr. Cabin is able to limit the number of patients who require in-office visits. That switch allows for greater social distancing and safety. “Initially, we saw only one patient an hour,” he says. “Now we’re bumping it up to two patients an hour. And, unless 100 percent necessary, we are not allowing visitors to come in.”

### **2. Waiting Rooms**
Flipping through magazines in a waiting room is largely a thing of the past (at least for the time being). Many have been eliminated in favor of patients waiting in their cars or outside until the doctor is ready to see them. If a waiting room does exist, you’ll likely be the only one in it. “We are only allowing one person in the waiting room at a time, and that also applies to consultations,” Dr. Buford explains. “While there have been one or two hard feelings about this, most patients are understanding and willing to abide by the new rules.”

At Dr. Cabin’s practice, patients are also asked to use separate doors to enter and exit in order to limit contact. “We have an entrance in the front and a separate exit to limit the amount of time a patient is in the office,” he shares. 

### **3. Masks**
At this point, you’re probably used to rocking a [face covering](https://aedit.com/aedition/how-to-treat-prevent-acne-caused-by-covid-19-masks-face-coverings) when you’re out and about, and a trip to your provider’s office won’t be any different. “We’ve had some resistance from some patients refusing to wear masks, but we’re not compromising on that,” Dr. Cabin says. “They’re not allowed to come in without a mask on.”

### **4. Procedure Protocols**
You should know that many providers have prioritized medically necessary procedures and those that were cancelled as a result of COVID-19 first, though new patients are welcome. When it comes to the types of procedures being performed, Dr. Cabin says it’s important to consider how masks and other safety precautions may impact recovery and results.

“I would be careful with [facial] treatments, if you have to wear an N95 mask constantly. It can restrict blood flow causing swelling and bruising,” he explains. [Neurotoxins](https://aedit.com/aedition/comparing-neurotoxin-botulinum-type-a-injections-botox-dysport-jeuveau-xeomin), [dermal fillers](https://aedit.com/aedition/everything-you-need-to-know-about-dermal-fillers), [microneedling](https://aedit.com/procedure/microneedling), [laser skin resurfacing](https://aedit.com/procedure/ablative-fractional-lasers), or really any kind of facial procedure will likely come with recommendations regarding mask-wearing. “One of the concerns with these types of procedures is the micro-aerosolization of the virus, which can spread it which is why we do screen everyone prior to coming in,” Dr. Cabin says. 

### **5. Recovery Recommendations**
As far as post-operative consultations go, the [ASPS recommends](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/for-medical-professionals/covid19-member-resources/resumption-of-elective-surgery) doing any follow-ups and wound checks virtually,  unless it is absolutely necessary to go into the office. Patients are also encouraged to self-isolate for seven days post-procedure to reduce the possibility of infection or exposure.

## **The Takeaway**
Stepping into the OR is not what it used to be. Aesthetic providers aren’t just thinking about the safety of themselves but their patients and staff, too. Increased measures are being taken even in already highly sanitized medical spaces. When going in for a cosmetic treatment or plastic surgery procedure, consult with your provider to stay atop of the rules in place.

“We have emphasized to our patients that while there is no way to guarantee zero exposure to COVID-19 or any other pathogen for that matter, we are doing everything that we can to abide by CDC guidelines as they pertain to re-opening a medical practice,” Dr. Buford shares. “Other than that, we are using our common sense and ask our patients to do the same. 

Plastic surgery, dermatology, and dentistry practices are reopening, but the experience is not what it used to be. Here’s what you need to know before your next appointment.

Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Cosmetic Dentistry Practices Reopening During COVID-19

What To Know About Aesthetic Procedures Resuming During COVID-19 

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As soon as I heard that beauty salons would be reopening in my area on Monday, June 22, I made an appointment at my local nail salon for a manicure and pedicure for that very Wednesday night. As a beauty editor and someone who loves having her nails painted with [Essie Wicked](https://www.essie.com/nail-polish/enamel/reds/wicked) time and time again, making the appointment seemed like a no-brainer. I *had* to get in ASAP or else I’d continue to eat my cuticles.  

When the day came and the afternoon turned to evening, however, I began getting anxious. As someone who’s kept a very tight circle of family throughout the coronavirus pandemic and hasn’t so much as gone to a store, this was actually a *huge* move. For the first time since March, I’d be  inside with strangers for an extended period of time.

We all have a fear of the unknown, which leads to great anxiety. In writing this piece, I’m not trying to encourage anyone to do anything out of their comfort zone. But I hope sharing my experience with those of you who intend to resume your standing mani/pedi appointment may be helpful to lessen some of the trepidation.

<CaptionImg url={https://images.ctfassets.net/zw35sfestf1t/2gAlflUBQxeZjgwDKX44qq/930de5bec7e85b02c35efa43aa2070ad/nail-salon-1.png}>
  Manicure stations at the nail salon the writer visited.
</CaptionImg>

Like hair salons (more on those reopenings [HERE](https://aedit.com/aedition/safety-protocols-at-hair-salons-reopening-after-covid-19)), the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has [created a protocol](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/nail-salon-employers.html) for nail salons to follow during this time. The guidelines include:

- Move, change, or adjust workstations to help workers maintain social distance of six feet (where that much space isn’t possible, they’re to install physical barriers)
- Remove chairs from the waiting area to make sure people don’t sit too close
- Screen clients for COVID-19 symptoms
- Stagger shifts, start times, and break times of employees
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces with at least 70 percent alcohol
- Advise employees to wear gloves and masks
- Provide disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer
- Use single-use supplies
- Limit the number of people in the salon at one time
- Encourage clients to wait outside the salon until it’s their turn
- Post signs and reminders about wearing masks

When it was time for my appointment, I went. I wasn’t sure if I would stay or get one service instead of the two I booked so that I could get in and out quicker. I arrived five minutes early wearing my [tie-dye Sydne Summer face mask](https://www.sydnestyle.com/2020/06/face-mask-chains/) and was greeted by a technician wearing an N95 mask at the door. She took my name and told me I had to wait outside until my manicurist was ready for me. There was also a sign on the door that read, “Face mask required. By Appointment Only.” I peeked through the windows and saw that the salon was almost empty, so I decided to move forward with my appointment.  

When I got inside, I noticed plexiglass barriers were placed at the reception desk and manicure and pedicure stations. The latter had cut-outs for clients to place their hands and feet. The salon was pristine (it usually is) and hand sanitizer was abundant. I was welcomed by the team of nail technicians, and it was wonderful to see familiar faces. You can tell people are smiling just by making eye contact, and we all were. They asked for my daughter (who I normally bring with me, but decided not to given the circumstances) and told me what it was like to be back at work. They were grateful to be open, and it felt good to be a part of my community — even in this small way.

<CaptionImg url={https://images.ctfassets.net/zw35sfestf1t/60gtNt6VDM0zsCiPkGjzCp/549f61a7886f6da8bafefbd79b7adf8d/nail-salon-3.png}>
  Hand sanitizer for clients. 
</CaptionImg>

Normally, the salon can work on 22 people at a time, but there were only six other customers with me. They were utilizing every other station, and the ones in between were marked with an ‘X’ as a reminder not to sit someone there. Besides the structural changes, I went in with an editor’s eye and noticed small changes, too, that made a huge difference in my comfort level. The salon was using individualized packets of exfoliant and lotion instead of the usual jumbo-sized tubs (using single-use supplies is on the list of guidelines from the CDC).

I follow several beauty salons that my friends own or work at and saw that some are going as far as to do temperature checks before customers walk in the door. While my salon didn’t screen *me* for symptoms, I saw them taking the temperatures of other clients before they walked in.  They held a sensor thermometer to their forehead that didn’t even touch their skin. If they had taken my temperature, it would have been a homerun. But nobody’s perfect, and they were certainly trying. I guess I went in with faith that everyone in there was healthy — at least I really hope they were. 

<CaptionImg url={https://images.ctfassets.net/zw35sfestf1t/2orGiTy45Wa6WWsdoxOBQZ/d16fd77344b9e4819999064b9a7c5098/nail-salon-2.png}>
  Pedicure chairs at the nail salon the writer visited.
</CaptionImg>

As I sit here typing with my fresh oxblood mani, I’m pleased to report that my experience was a positive one. The salon followed every single guideline listed above, which instantly put me at ease. If your go-to salon already had a clean and professional reputation before the virus and you’re interested in making an appointment, I’d say go for it. You can always turn around and go home if you feel uncomfortable. But, if you’re ready, it’s nice to support small businesses as the economy reopens. 

I conducted an [Instagram poll](https://www.instagram.com/jeannine_morris/) asking my followers if they were ready to go to beauty salons yet and 67 percent of them said yes. With that said, I completely understand that, for many, it’s not worth the risk. Take your time and do what feels right for you. Afterall, beauty treatments are far from essential.

With stay-at-home orders lifting in many states, visiting a beauty salon for a mani/pedi is once again possible. But is it worth the risk?

What It's Like To Visit A Nail Salon For A Manicure, Pedicure During COVID-19

Here’s What Happened When I Visited A Nail Salon During COVID-19

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It’s not just nerves that are frazzled. From neglected roots to split ends, being cooped up in COVID-19 quarantine has done a number on our hair. As cities and states slowly reopen, you’re likely wondering: *When can I get a haircut?* *And what’s visiting the salon going to be like?* Though regulations and best practices vary from state to state, it’s safe to say we won’t be returning to the same salon experience. In order to understand what the ‘new normal’ might look like, The AEDTION spoke with hair salon owners, hairstylists, and clients from around the country to get the lowdown. 

## **Can I Get a Haircut?**
Let’s start with the good news. Beginning in late May, most states started giving hair salons the OK to resume services — albeit with some social distancing-inspired restrictions. The bad news? Your stylist might not be ready to open just yet. Stylist [Deirdra Vierra](https://deirdravierra.glossgenius.com/) of OM Holistic Hair in Valencia, California, says that between the ever-changing government mandates, difficulty obtaining the personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to meet new regulations, and the recent protests, nailing down a reopening date hasn’t been easy.

Roberta Dudszak, the owner of [Relax Organic Salon](https://www.relaxorganicsalon.com/) in Washington, Pennsylvania, has faced similar challenges. “We rescheduled our clients four times after our governor said we were opening and then we weren’t,” she says. “He was relying on data that kept changing.” The stylists we talked to are booking anywhere between a month to two months out. Many have been busy contacting the clients whose appointments were cancelled back in March. From there, they are reaching out to their larger customer base to schedule services. 

Though it varies by municipality, services that require a beauty professional to have close contact with a client’s face — like facial hair grooming, eyebrow shaping, or eyelash tinting — are largely off the table at the moment. In states like New York, however, eyebrow treatments are considered okay, since they don’t disturb a client’s mask. While most states are allowing blow drying (experts have said it’s fine, so long as everyone’s wearing a mask), some salons have nixed it for now, just to be safe.

## **How Salons Are Keeping People Safe** 
Amidst so much uncertainty and upheaval, stylists and salon owners have been doing their best to navigate regulations and establish best practices. “For the most part, the regulations are the same across all states. California and, more specifically, L.A. County has stricter guidelines,” says Eric Taylor, the founder and CEO of [Salon Republic](http://salonrepublic.com/), with 22 locations and about 2,000 beauty professionals across California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington. “For instance, seeing one client at a time has been required in L.A. County. [In other] states it is just a recommendation.”

While many states — including California, Connecticut, and Colorado — require anyone inside the salon to wear a face covering, mask-wearing in states like Florida and Ohio is mandatory for employees but only suggested for clients. Once salons meet the minimum state and local requirements, it’s up to each business owner to decide how far they take their COVID-19 safety protocol. “We’ve received no guidelines from the state of Pennsylvania, so we’re following the guidelines set out by the [Professional Beauty Association](https://www.probeauty.org/),” Dudszak shares.

### **New Salon Protocols**
With this in mind, here are some of the most common requirements that have been set for hair salons around the country: 

- Signage for customers notifying them of the rules and best practices
- Symptom checks (either remote or in-person) for all employees on each shift
- Staggered shifts to maximize social distancing
- Masks that cover the nose and mouth must be worn by employees at all times
- No eating or drinking in the salon, except in designated break rooms
- Occupants must maintain a six-foot distance, except while cutting hair
- Plexiglass partitions installed throughout salon if social distancing isn’t possible
- Salon doors should be kept open whenever possible
- Upgrade the HVAC (the heating, cooling, ventilation system), if possible
- All shears, clippers, and tools must be sanitized between clients
- High-touch surfaces must be sanitized regularly
- One client per stylist at a time (think: no double booking)

Dudszak points out that many of the salon sanitation rules — like disinfecting tools and washing robes — have been in place for decades. “If you’ve been following what you’re supposed to be following, it’s not all that new,” she notes. But that hasn’t stopped salons from making upgrades. “We installed UV virus-killing light filters that destroy microbes like mold, bacteria, fungi, mildew, mold spores, viruses and other pathogens,” says Taylor of Salon Republic. “It’s similar to what hospitals use.”

### **New Client Protocols** 
While the list above encompasses the steps salons are taking to safeguard the employee and customer experience, here’s some of what will be expected of clients: 

- Mask or face covering required (varies by state)
- Arrive with freshly washed hair (varies by state)
- No hood dryers (varies by state)
- Come alone to the appointment
- Wait in your car or outside until stylist is ready 
- Verbal screening for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival
- Amenities (coffee, magazines, seating) removed from the waiting area
- No product samples or testers shared

What does it feel like to be serviced at a salon with this new normal? “When I arrived, I waited in my car wearing a mask and texted my stylist, who came to the door to get me,” explains Nicole Mitackek of her experience visiting a hair salon in La Canada, California. The stylist took Nicole’s temperature and instructed her to put on an individually wrapped disposable mask and gown prior to entering. “I had to sign a waiver saying I hadn’t been sick, been around anyone sick, or traveled outside the U.S.,” she continues. Throughout her haircut, Nicole’s stylist wore a mask and washed her hands frequently.

## **What the Future May Look Like for Hair Salons**
Typical of the times, beauty professionals tell us that there’s no way to tell how long these new regulations will be in effect. “I believe a key theme for the short and mid-term will be prioritizing safety over comfort and convenience,” Taylor says. “We want to make sure that our clients trust that we are doing everything we can to keep them and ourselves safe.”

But that vigilance comes at a cost. “The industry was hit very hard,” Vierra laments. “I know of four salons that have closed because of the quarantine, and I expect to see more.” While some business owners, like Dudszak, applied for and received a small business loan through the CARES Act and worked out rent deferments with landlords, a decrease in capacity and increase in operating costs could pose long-term challenges. “My cost of goods has risen exponentially,” Vierra says. “I can only work at 50 percent capacity, so I can see only half the clients per day that I used to see. My profit and loss will most definitely be changing.”

The relationship between stylist and client will be impacted, too. Pre-pandemic, hairstylists did much more than touch up color or trim bangs. Visiting the salon was a chance to escape the everyday, focus on self-care, and maybe even enjoy a mini-therapy or gossip session. “I think we will be losing more beauty professionals over time, as the lack of human interaction with all the PPE will take a huge toll on us as service providers,” Vierra says.

Even so, there is hope. “We as hairdressers are important for mental health,” Dudszak maintains. And clients seem to agree. “Getting your hair done builds your morale,” says Pasadena resident Laura Scarsi. “It was a little awkward going to the salon with everyone wearing masks, but I was so grateful to get back and have someone coloring and cutting my hair. It was like therapy.”

As cities and states begin to lift COVID-19 stay at home orders, you’re likely wondering: When can I get a haircut? And what’s visiting the salon going to be like? The AEDITION has the answers.

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