‘We’re taking Covid-19 seriously’: Dermalogica writes open letter as UK keeps salons shuttered

In an open letter, personal care brand dermalogica has urged the UK government to give beauty salons and spas a date for their reopening.

Signed by Dermalogica’s UK General Manager, Mark Hermann, the document expresses concern for the sector’s future if closures remain and the impact this will have on the UK economy.

He wrote: “A survey of our business account partners suggests we will see 6% close post the Covid-19 pandemic, with many more teetering on the edge of survival.

“This industry, in conjunction with hair, is worth £6.6bn to the UK economy each year and its collapse will be devastating, not least for those whose livelihoods depend on these close contact services.”

The letter comes days after the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave hairdressers the green light to reopen on 4 July alongside bars, pubs and restaurants, but told other professional beauty business owners they must continue to wait to welcome back customers.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, the PM said contact services, including nail bars, would not be able to open until the government could confirm they “can operate in a Covid secure way”.

But in his letter, Hermann said the industry has been “active in preparing to go back to work”.

He added: “We need [the] government to clarify why practitioners offering skin care, massage and other beauty services cannot open alongside hairdressers, and other sectors, while there is clear guidance in place for close contact services.”

Cosmetics Business has contacted the government’s Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy for comment.