Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wear a mask at hairdresser?

29 replies

Lucy98769 · 15/12/2025 23:45

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!

OP posts:
Hiptothisjive · 16/12/2025 00:05

If only we could refer back to a time when everyone had to wear masks and we were getting almost daily messages from medical
professionals about the benefits of mask wearing to prevent the spread of a virus. Preferably in the years 2020-2023 so it was recent and to mind.

No? Okay well never mind then.

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!

parietal · 16/12/2025 00:01

masks reduce risk when you have a short exposure to lots of people (e.g. a crowded tube train for 5 mins). but if you have a long exposure or take the mask off at any point, there is much less benefit. you are all still breathing the same air, you just get the hot sticky version in the mask.

so I wouldn't bother.

yulefrog · 15/12/2025 23:59

Makes sense. Even an ear loop mask that you unhook from your ear briefly when you need to will reduce your risk - not to zero but down a lot.

You don't need anyone's permission to try to avoid flu, especially in the lead up to Christmas of all times! It's common sense to want to do that.