Industry news

Salon owners and COVID-19 vaccination policies

Now that South Africa has commenced its COVID-19 vaccination rollout to healthcare workers and with government expected to launch phase 2 at the beginning of May, salon and spa owners should consider their own policies for staff in this regard.

This is according to the EOHCB (Employers Organisation for Hairdressing Cosmetology & Beauty), which has published an in-depth guide in its March 2021 Journal. The EOHCB guide points out that is important for employers to start educating and informing all employees about the COVID-19 vaccine.

As per the EOHCB guide – there is currently no legal restriction on mandatory vaccination policies and the implementation of such policy will need to be measured against the principle of reasonableness. When an employer contemplates a mandatory vaccination policy in the workplace, the following considerations should be taken into account: 1. Mandatory vaccination policies will inform all employees of the employer’s point of view regarding vaccination/ inoculation and the reasoning behind the mandatory vaccination policy. 2. Mandatory vaccination policies also increase the health and safety of employees in the workplace and are in line with the obligation and responsibility of employers to protect their employees and maintain a healthy and safe working environment. 3. An employee’s refusal to be inoculated without reasonable justification may result in possible termination of employment on the basis of operational requirements, potential incapacity or even misconduct. Mandatory vaccination policies present an intricate balance of rights between: • Employee’s religious, cultural or philosophical objections against vaccinations. This includes superstitious and the interpretation of religious text beliefs, as well as refusal to be vaccinated because of substances in the vaccine prohibited for religious reasons, beliefs pertaining to consumption of animal products and/or the way in which these vaccines were tested. If an employee objects to be vaccinated, all objections must be considered and then be weighed up against the risk of COVID-19 and the right of a safe working environment. • Employee’s medical objections and safety concerns when an employee is deemed as high-risk. 4. When considering whether to implement a mandatory vaccination policy, employers must evaluate their individual workplaces and determine whether such a policy is truly necessary and/ or whether the purpose of the policy can be achieved by implementing alternative measures.

An employer may consider the following when determining a mandatory vaccine policy: • The effectiveness of social distancing in the workplace; • Employees whose work requires them to travel domestically and internationally for work related purposes, especially if the COVID-19 vaccine is made compulsory for employees to travel internationally. When an employee objects to being vaccinated the following needs to be considered – the nature of the objection, the importance of travel and suitable alternatives.

The EOHCB guide points out that the provisions of POPI (Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013) will apply when requesting employees to disclose personal information, such as medical and/ or vaccination history. In addition, salon owners, as employers, need to consider the issue of liability, should they implement a mandatory vaccination policy and the employee experience unfavourable effects after being vaccinated for COVID-19, provided that the employee can prove the element of wrongfulness.

To read the EOHCB full guide go to https://www.eohcb.co.za/ articles and click on ‘March EOHCB Journal’.

Photo by Gerd Altmann on Unsplash

Emmy Stoltz appointed GWD SA Ambassador

Well-known spa professional, Emmy Stoltz, is the new Global Wellness Day (GWD) Ambassador for South Africa, taking over from Celeste Peters, who relocated to Netherlands and is now GWD Ambassador for that country.

Says Stoltz: “I am extremely honoured to be chosen as the GWD Ambassador and see it as a privilege and an opportunity for me to give back and share my knowledge to create opportunities and bring about wellness awareness.

“My duties will focus mainly on spreading the awareness about GWD far and wide and, of course, collating online events as well as physical events in South Africa for 12 June 2021, which is our official Global Wellness Day. The value of wellness for all, as well as showcasing our GWD Manifest, is something I intend to highlight as much as possible. By making use of my network to gain traction for this global initiative, I will continue encouraging as many complimentary activities as possible to promote wellness across South Africa.”

Stoltz notes that for the past three years, South Africa’s spa and salon environment have been the focus for GWD. She continues: “This year, I want to add the engagement of schools, businesses, online groups and any community that would like to get involved. With the evolution of self-care, I would like Global Wellness Day to become the resource to help take on new approaches, connect the dots and find the joy in new ways of taking care of yourself. Self-care has never been more important than now.”

For 2021, GWD is planning a full, 12-hour global online celebration. Stoltz encourages contributors within South Africa to upload and share their plans, whether it is via their online portals or a physical activity at their business. https:// www.globalwellnessday.org/ https:// www.facebook.com/GWDSA

Saxon Spa announces reopening date

The award-winning spa at the Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Sandton, Johannesburg will reopen for business on the 1st of May with a new look, new experiences and new packages.

Exciting new journeys, which are in step with the worldwide trend towards wellness and mindfulness, have been developed and perfected by the Saxon Spa team, ensuring that guests will be offered up-tothe minute treatments to restore balance to mind, body and soul.

These new treatments include a Bellabaci Massage, which is based around a silicone cupping technique to aid in drainage and detox; a Digital Detox Journey, allowing guests to separate from their devices with a massage focusing on those stress points brought on by our use of technology; as well as Sleep Therapy, which is perfect to reduce the effects of jetlag. Guests will also start each treatment with one of the Saxon Spa’s bespoke mindfulness journeys – shaking off the concerns of the outside world before embarking on their treatment.

The Spa team looks forward to sharing more information on these new therapies, as well as the new product ranges that will be featured in the spa in the coming weeks.

Part of the property’s new offering will see the launch of the brand-new Saxon App.

‘Normal’ on product packaging has negative effect, research shows

A 10,000-person study commissioned by Unilever and conducted across nine countries, including South Africa, shows that more than half of respondents think that the beauty and personal care industry can make people feel excluded.

Seven in 10 people agree that using the word ‘normal’ on product packaging and advertising has a negative impact. For younger people – those aged 18-35 – this rises to eight in 10.

According to the study, people want to see the beauty and personal care industry focusing more on making people feel better, rather than just looking better (74%). More than half of people (52%) say they now pay more attention to a company’s stance on societal issues before buying products.

In response to these research findings, Unilever, owner of professional skincare brands like Dermalogica and Murad, has dropped ‘normal’ claims when referring to skin and hair types in a bid to push an inclusivity message.

In addition, Unilever will not digitally alter a person’s body shape, size, proportion or skin colour in its brand advertising, and will increase the number of advertisements portraying people from diverse groups who are under-represented.

This forms part of the launch of the company’s new Positive Beauty vision and strategy, which Unilever says sets out several progressive commitments and actions for its beauty and personal care brands. Positive Beauty is positioned as championing a new era of beauty that is equitable and inclusive, as well as sustainable for the planet.

The other countries involved in the Unilever study were Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, UK and the USA.

Scientific verification that skin radiance makes a good impression

Facial images of “radiant’ (left), ‘oily and shiny’ (centre) and ‘matte’ (right)

Japanese cosmetics brand, Shiseido, has scientifically verified through joint research with the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) that facial skin radiance influences facial attractiveness and creates a good impression to other people.

It was also found that skin radiance in the face creates a younger impression; the age estimated for facial appearance is about three years younger than a face without skin radiance. Until now, it has often been thought that facial skin radiance gives a positive impression to others, as a glossy state representing healthy skin, but there wasn’t sufficient scientific evidence to back this up.

These study results can be applied to the future development of skincare and base makeup products that have a high emotional value of creating radiant skin. This is true not only of face-to-face communication but also virtual communication. The results of this study were published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science (November 20, 2020).

Some 160 female participants in their 30s to late 40s took part in the study and were asked to record their impressions to the images pictured here.

SA co launches world’s first live probiotic facial

Bio-clinical probiotic skincare brand, Esse, has introduced what it believes is the world’s first live probiotic facial – a highly advanced, expertdesigned treatment that uses billions of live bacteria to deliver actives.

For ageing skin, the Ultimate Esse Experience facial offers a Liing Massage using myofascial release and liing techniques to rejuvenate tired, dull skin and boost circulation, while the Esse Sensitive Massage (for sensitive and sensitised skin) uses gentle touch and tools to calm the nervous system and reduce inflammation.

The skin is then covered with billions of live microbes containing three species of living Lactobacillus and followed by the application of Esse’s setting Exclusion Mask. This provides the pe ect anaerobic environment for the bacteria to start to colonising. The bacteria naturally produce hyaluronic acid, lactic acid and anti-microbial peptides, which together provide hydration and protection.

Thereafter, hydrating products are applied to lock in moisture. Balance is restored through the rewilding of the skin with advanced probiotics, resulting in a radiant complexion.

New peeling concept enters market

Launched on 1 April this year, SkinPhD’s Surface to Cell Peels were formulated by renowned cosmetic scientist, Professor Aubrey Parsons.

Says the SkinPhD team: “When analysing the end consumer needs related to peels, it is clear that some cannot afford ‘downtime’ due to their busy professional lives. Our new peeling system harnesses the positive components from various acids as we know them, but adds a unique twist in the active ingredients left at a cellular level. This combination approach ensures that the modern-day skin has the support it needs to heal and improve optimally. Gone are the days of expecting superior results but not seeing them as quickly as we want to. The SkinPhD Surface To Cell concept offers that immediate wow factor as expected from a peel, whilst adding a daily, continuous skin changing effect.”

SkinPhD is now offering the following options to fit every lifestyle: Pause Breakout, Pause Age and Pause Pigment Mild Peels (offering optimal results with little to no downtime); Pause Multi Boost Peel (can be incorporated into any mild peel to boost results); Pause Intro (for the teenager that cannot afford downtime due to their outdoor activity, or the client that is hesitant of peels, or the client that does not have major skin concerns but wants to keep their skin in optimal health); and Pause Breakout, Pause Age and Pause Pigment Intensive Peels (offering unparalleled results with a maximum of 5 to 7 days downtime).

Every peel treatment includes a free client centric consultation to ensure the correct pre and post care is followed.