'Quiet days' launched by hair salon

AN EASTER Ross hair salon manager has been inspired to offer "quiet days" to cater for clientele with extra needs.

The Byre Hair and Beauty salon at Dalmore Farm will provide quiet days every Tuesday and is understood to be the first in the area to offer appointments of this type.

The idea is the brainchild of manager Tiffany Mackay who said: "Having a young person in our family with autism opened my eyes to the fact that many young people and adults with autism can find the salon experience a stressful experience of sensory overloads.

"I’ve been in the industry for more than 15 years and have had the pleasure of working with many high-needs and differently abled clients.

"Many have said what a stressful time a visit to the salon can be. Parents said they’ve left salons previously with half a haircut because of time limitations.

"It is important to us that all of our clients enjoy their time in our salon. This is why I have decided to dedicate Tuesdays to being a ‘quiet day’.

"This means low or no music if required, less staff in the salon, which means fewer clients and more time scheduled for each client, which will allow an opportunity to build a rapport, time to familiarise themselves with clippers or other tools of the trade. We will also have some sensory items available to calm or distract as required.

"As with all appointments a flexible approach will be adopted so if your child is more comfortable to have their hair cut on the floor or hanging from the rafters, so be it!

"We have also made sure the whole salon is wheelchair accessible so there are no limitations for anyone. Since announcing our quiet days, we have had a lot of people approach us with all different abilities and stresses such as anxiety, low self-confidence or depression and even parents with children due their first hair cuts.

"Tuesdays can also be for the busy worker or mum needing some quiet time to enjoy getting their hair done rather than the days where there is more staff and clients, meaning more noise. It’s proving to be quite an in-demand service.

"Bookings are to be made in advance for quiet Tuesdays."

Throughout the week the salon will offer a variety of hair and beauty treatments. However, Tuesday appointments will be hairdressing only.

The Byre Hair & Beauty at Dalmore Farm can be found on Facebook or contacted on 01349 292185.