'We're glad we could survive': What it's like to visit a barbershop in Dubai right now

Marco Moller, founder of Moto Barbershop in Al Quoz, shows us what his shop is doing to safely welcome back customers

Barbers at Möto Barber in Al Quoz. Antonie Robertson/The National

Judging by the fact that people have actually taken to sharing their "hair cut fails" on social media over the past few months, it's safe to say that those regular trips to the salon or barbershop have been well-missed.

However, good news for all those worried about their grooming while in self-quarantine at home – with the government gradually easing restrictions, Dubai barbershops and beauty parlours are also slowly increasing the range of services offered.

In salons, clients can now take advantage of waxing, tanning and threading treatments. This is on top of hair and nail services which were allowed in late April. Services that remain off the menu (for the time being), include massages, hammams and saunas.

Meanwhile, in barbershops, hairdressers are providing all services again, including beard trims.

These changes have been welcomed by local institutions. Marco Moller, founder of Moto Barbershop in Al Quoz, says that while it was hard to be closed for more than a month, they are happy to reopen and are surviving thanks to their regular customers and are now seeing a spike in demand as people are allowed to leave their homes once again.

Like all other establishments, Moto Barbershop has introduced stringent new hygiene measures to keep its customers safe, including sanitising the barbershop every morning, and then again between customers. All equipment is also being sanitised and face masks are mandatory.