I think what they mean is that we can no longer sit ourselves comfortably at the head of the couch, with everything we need, within arms reach. We should also imagine that there is a Perspex screen vertically placed at the end of the couch and not lean over the client
We probably need to stand and should think about raising the couch height and providing a client step stool. I keep my products behind me (narrow room) and I sit on a roller chair and scoot around the couch so I’m used to turning away from the client during service. I’ll have my stool handy and I’ll experiment to see which creates more social distance.
I haven’t practised yet, my thoughts are that I should ask clients to arrive with minimal make-up, or remove their own, before getting on to the couch. I’m think that when I’m cleansing the eyelids I probably need to stand beside the client, as I imagine that otherwise I’ll be hunching over the clients face.
I use hot towels rather than a steamer and I can do a hot towel compress whilst standing beside the client
I’m going to be using products that are easier to remove - I won’t be using scrubs with annoying bits. I’ll be using peel off masks, or applying masks over gauze to speed up removal. Luckily most of my products aren’t messy.
I’m not offering all my facials straightaway. I’m starting off with one which has a very short and simple lymph drainage massage which I can easily do standing to the side
Massage routines will need to be modified if you normally do a 20 minute massage over the face and décolletage. There’s no reason why we can’t stand to the side and massage one side and then the other to sweep over the neck, shoulders décolletage and tops of the arms. We’ll just need to be a bit creative. I might try getting the client to roll on their side to do this so I can also massage across the back of their shoulders and really get in under the neck. I’ll trial one side, followed by facial work with the client lying supine, followed by the other side.
You can do an amazing facial in 45 mins. It’s about using the time efficiently, creating a sensory journey from the start and using good products.
If we are confident and reassuring our clients will love it.