STERLING, Ill. — Americans are picking up hair clippers, many for the first time, as they respond to the shuttering of barber shops and beauty salons because of the COVID-19 crisis. And for those wanting a little more guidance, Wahl USA’s team of experts are offering advice.

“Right now, many people feel isolated,” says Steven Yde, division vice president for Wahl. “We want them to know they’re not alone. Wahl wants to do our small part in helping people bring some sort of normalcy to an abnormal circumstance. In the last week, we’ve had a nearly 300% increase in traffic to our ‘haircuts how-to‘ page on WahlUSA.com.”

Yde theorizes the top reasons people are looking to cut their own hair are: they have no other choice since many barbershops and salons are closed;  Working from home doesn’t mean no one will see you with video conferencing on the rise; the skill of cutting one’s own hair or a family member’s can offer a sense of control; and cutting each other’s hair can strengthens bonds.

Yde offers tips to people before they cut their hair.

1. Get the gear. Yde suggests a clipper such as the Wahl Elite Pro that has self-sharpening blades and a motor with the precision to avoid mishaps.
2. Choose a hairstyle that is flattering.
3. Seek out instructional videos and experts tips.

Wahl encourages people to share their home haircutting experiences on social media with the hashtag #YouGotThis. Each week Wahl will pick one participant, and mail them some grooming gear as their way of saying thank you for bringing some normalcy to this unusual circumstance.

“Not only is this a great way to bring people together while they are isolated, but it’s a way for people to see what’s working, what’s not and to gain confidence from each other,” says Yde.