"Not Even a Famous Restaurant, Yet a Two-Month Wait"...The Secret of the Kind Hair Salon

Seocho-gu 'Hair Hanuri' Followed by Partnership with Private Hair Salons
Nowon-gu Opens Nation's First 'Disability-Friendly Hair Salon'
"Hope Disability-Friendly Hair Salons Spread Nationwide"

Interior view of 'Hair Hanuri' in Seocho-gu. Provided by Seocho-gu.

On the first floor of the Hanuri Information and Culture Center, a welfare facility for the disabled in Seocho-gu, Seoul, there is a 32㎡ (about 10 pyeong) space housing a 'disability-friendly hair salon.' This salon, which opened just over eight months ago, is frequented by many disabled individuals who have difficulty visiting regular hair salons due to conditions such as cerebral palsy or developmental disabilities.

What sets this place apart from typical hair salons is the unfamiliar equipment. There is a 'mobile lift' that comfortably transfers disabled clients from wheelchairs to chairs, and a 'customized integrated shampoo station for the disabled' that allows washing hair directly from the chair.

Seocho-gu’s 'Hair Hanuri' is a space prepared for disabled people who visit hair salons for cuts, coloring, perms, and more. For them, even entering a hair salon can be challenging. It is also difficult to find hairdressers experienced in styling disabled clients. They may feel psychologically rushed or uncomfortable.

This salon has removed entrance thresholds and installed automatic doors to allow wheelchairs to enter and exit comfortably. A movable monitor is placed right in front of the styling chair so clients can watch videos or browse desired hairstyles while getting their hair done. A special and core advantage is that experienced hairdressers and social workers who have undergone disability awareness training are present.

The prices are also significantly lower than the market rate. Since only one resident hairdresser works here and appointments are tailored to each client’s situation, only about 4 to 5 clients can be booked per day. As a result, reservations are backed up, and clients often have to wait nearly two months.

Counseling scene at a disability-friendly hair salon in Nowon-gu. Nowon-gu operates 'Hair Cafe The Hue' branches in Sanggye and Gongneung. Provided by Nowon-gu.

The original model is in Nowon-gu. In September 2022, Nowon-gu opened 'Hair Cafe The Hue' in Sanggye-dong, equipped with customized convenience facilities for the disabled. It was the first of its kind nationwide. Due to an average waiting period of 2 to 3 months for hair salon appointments and 97.1% of users responding that they were 'very satisfied,' Nowon-gu opened a second branch in Gongneung-dong in November last year.

While these facilities are beneficial, they face practical challenges such as budget constraints, making it difficult to meet all the demand. Additionally, there is a limitation that only disabled people registered in the respective district can use the service.

To address these practical issues, Seocho-gu requested the Hairdressing Association last month to introduce hair salons that can assist with disabled clients. Several salons volunteered to take on this role, and Seocho-gu recently signed business agreements with four salons in different areas: Ribette Hair in Seocho-dong, Kim Kyung-hee Hair Sketch in Banpo-dong, She’s Hair Salon in Bangbae-dong, and Stylist Park Min in Yangjae-dong.

Starting next month, these salons will operate as disability-friendly hair salons and offer a 10% discount on service fees to disabled clients. Seocho-gu will enhance facilities to make it easier for disabled people to access hair salons and will take charge of guidance and promotion.

Jeon Seong-su, the mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “We plan to expand if there is more demand after operating.” Oh Seung-rok, the mayor of Nowon-gu, stated, “I hope the disability-friendly hair salon project spreads nationwide.”