To wear a mask at hairdresser?

Lucy98769 · 2025-12-15T23:45:48+00:00

I’ve got a hair app this week. I’ve also got a 5 week old baby. I am a little concerned about all this flu news circulating in the media. Considering wearing an n95 style mask at my appointment. Is anyone else wearing one for activities like this right now? How effective are they ACTUALLY against the flu? I got my flu vaccine two weeks ago, but not sure how effective that is either against this strain!

Original poster

Lucy98769 · 19/12/2025 15:36

I wore the mask. Got a black N95 one. No one batted an eyelid and my hairdresser was brilliant. Glad I did now as salon was packed.

OP posts:

autumnsheretimetogetcosy · 16/12/2025 10:15

I would also wear it- I’m currently in bed recovering from the flu and think I caught it from my hairdresser recently!

I would also suggest putting Vaseline up your nose which helps act as a barrier to germs.

bonesandbooth2025 · 16/12/2025 10:10

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 16/12/2025 10:07

A mask protects otherwise people not you

They protect you if you’re wearing the FFP3 type etc

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 16/12/2025 10:07

A mask protects otherwise people not you

TheApocalypticiansApprentice · 16/12/2025 09:04

In the past couple of months I’ve visited both my GP surgery and two dental practices. All the medical staff have been wearing masks.

My flu vaccine isn’t until the end of this week. I have a large pack of FFP3 masks and wore one in shops over the weekend.

I’ve postponed a long return train journey because everyone at the moment is coughing and spluttering unabashedly and I don’t see why I should carry their nasty viruses as a gift to my nonagenarian relatives.

LaneCaneCandy · 16/12/2025 09:00

I have worn a mask to the hairdressers when it was needed, you hold the mask to your face and they just unloop it from your ear, cut/colour then loop it back over. Hardly gymnastics. I don't need a drink every 5 minutes so don't drink at the hairdressers anyway.

I wore one last year as I had a slight cough and didn't want to take my hairdresser down with it especially as it was close to Christmas and there were other people booked in with her. Illnesses seems to sort of glance off me, I am hardly affected but I can pass it on and it can wipe someone else out. I don't take chances.

You could pick anything up and pass it onto your baby, I would wear the mask.

vanillalattes · 16/12/2025 08:54

Personally I think they’re a total waste of time, but if it makes you feel better, go for it.

Reindeerrose · 16/12/2025 08:28

Don't worry about what people think, if someone judges you for wanting to stay healthy then their opinions aren't worth anything.

Myfridgeiscool · 16/12/2025 08:23

I’d wear the mask. The thought of catching flu right now isn’t appealing, especially when you’ve a young baby to look after.

Original poster

Lucy98769 · 16/12/2025 08:23

MarbleDrive · 16/12/2025 08:17

It’s entirely up to you. I couldn’t sit through an appointment looking at myself in the mirror in a silly mask. But that’s just me and I hated every minute of mask wearing back in the Covid days.

Yes I’m definitely not excited at the prospect. I ordered a box of the black ones so hopefully looks a bit less silly. My logic is it’s an hour or two and next appointment back to normal!

OP posts:

HappySeven · 16/12/2025 08:21

If you would like to and it sounds like your hairdresser is very happy with the idea, why wouldn't you?

MarbleDrive · 16/12/2025 08:17

It’s entirely up to you. I couldn’t sit through an appointment looking at myself in the mirror in a silly mask. But that’s just me and I hated every minute of mask wearing back in the Covid days.

Original poster

Lucy98769 · 16/12/2025 08:17

QuirkyMoose · 16/12/2025 01:04

I would wear the mask. I would do anything I could to protect my newborn infant and wearing a mask for a hair appointment is such an incredibly minor thing but it could mean so much. Think how many people that hairdresser has been right up in their face with in the course of a average day or week, during flu season.

This is my thinking. It’s so easy to just throw the mask on and I think they can work if I don’t take it off. I’ve got 3 inch grey roots which are depressing so it would give me a mental boost to have them done. But I want to reduce risk as much as possible.

OP posts:

Original poster

Lucy98769 · 16/12/2025 08:15

yulefrog · 16/12/2025 00:35

The only masks that I know that were described on the news this week as not working that well to protect the wearer were I think the loose blue surgical ones, but N95 ones are different, and absolutely can make a difference (even if the fit isn't perfect, even with imperfect doffing and donning).

Show quote history

Yes it’s the ear loop n95 style one I’ve got! Chat gbt tells me they are pretty effective!

OP posts:

Original poster

Lucy98769 · 16/12/2025 08:13

HerVagestyTheQueef · 16/12/2025 00:05

I imagine this would be super annoying for the hairdresser.
If you’re really that worried stay at home!

Hairdresser was the one who suggested it as she knew I had a baby at home and was a bit worried.

She is symptom free but will have exposure to others.

OP posts:

bizkittt · 16/12/2025 04:14

Stay at home instead

ByRoseBird · 16/12/2025 04:13

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

myeyeshurttoomuch · 16/12/2025 03:45

If it’s a cut and blow dry fine. However if you’re doing highlights / longer apt and going to be drinking a cup of tea (taking the mask off) then don’t bother wearing the mask at all.

Or maybe get a mobile hairdresser less risk / less chance of catching bugs if you are concerned as exposed to less people.

Reindeerrose · 16/12/2025 03:22

If they are worn correctly then they definitely reduce the odds of catching viruses, you're not unreasonable atall to want to avoid infections.

QuirkyMoose · 16/12/2025 01:04

I would wear the mask. I would do anything I could to protect my newborn infant and wearing a mask for a hair appointment is such an incredibly minor thing but it could mean so much. Think how many people that hairdresser has been right up in their face with in the course of a average day or week, during flu season.

OtherS · 16/12/2025 00:53

I have FFP3 masks and they do help prevent flu, though of course nothing will definitely stop it - other than maybe a hazmat suit. I wore one earlier to the GP and the supermarket, but I was the only one. I didn't notice it once it was on though, and as I'm pretty high-risk I decided I'd much rather look silly than get seriously ill with flu. And thought everyone else looked sillier needlessly exposing themselves tbh, I find it strange we've so completely abandoned masks in this country. They're commonplace elsewhere.

yulefrog · 16/12/2025 00:35

ThatCalmFinch · 16/12/2025 00:05

They don't reduce risk of catching flu/covid even the N95 it was in the news this week.

The only masks that I know that were described on the news this week as not working that well to protect the wearer were I think the loose blue surgical ones, but N95 ones are different, and absolutely can make a difference (even if the fit isn't perfect, even with imperfect doffing and donning).

yulefrog · 16/12/2025 00:34

Berlinlover · 16/12/2025 00:20

I’m in remission from cancer and work on a supermarket checkout. I wouldn’t dream of wearing a mask to work, you’re being completely over the top.

You would have to wear a mask for eight hours a day for it to make a meaningful difference, so obviously your situation is different and I can understand you not wanting to and hoping for the best instead.

Someone deciding whether or not to wear one for an hour or two in a hairdresser might well decide differently though.

Berlinlover · 16/12/2025 00:20

I’m in remission from cancer and work on a supermarket checkout. I wouldn’t dream of wearing a mask to work, you’re being completely over the top.

ThatCalmFinch · 16/12/2025 00:05

They don't reduce risk of catching flu/covid even the N95 it was in the news this week.