Salons in England have been told to keep treatments to a minimum when they reopen on April 12, as thousands of businesses prepare to welcome visitors again for the first time in three months.
Hairdressers have been advised to avoid “long” and “complex” treatments such as highlights and braids from Monday, under government guidance.
Official advice is to keep appointments "short and basic" to minimise any time spent in branch and between customers.
Salons, many of which will be reopening at midnight on Monday to cope with demand, are facing a huge backlog of customers due to lockdown.
But government guidance states hair and beauty salons "should consider providing shorter, more basic treatments to keep the time to a minimum".
This could include highlights, braids or deep conditioning treatments.
It also means lengthy massages could also be off the cards.
The guidance adds that when doing longer procedures such as braiding or massages, workers should "consider how the length of the appointment could be minimised”
Judith Cummins, the Labour MP who co-chairs Parliament's group on beauty, aesthetics and wellbeing, told The Telegraph: "It's very difficult to make a living if you're given guidance that is very woolly and very unclear.
"What's a short appointment, and what's the medium appointment, and what's a long appointment?
"I've got no idea, and I doubt whether the Government has any idea either."
Hairdressers and barbers were forced to shut their doors in January after the UK entered a third lockdown.
But under step two of the lockdown roadmap, branches will reopen, although many will serve just a handful of customers at a time to ensure social distancing.
The British Beauty Council recommends that staff wear gloves, masks and gowns as well as mandatory face coverings.
Workers at salons will be expected to disinfect surfaces regularly, hand sanitise between clients and keep doors open to ensure a constant supply of ventilation.
