Hairdresser groups have been warned to be careful they don't breach competition rules as salons reopen.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has raised concerns about the way in which new prices and charges are being introduced.
They wrote to both the Irish Hairdressers Association and the Hairdressing Council of Ireland over concerns it had regarding public statements the groups had made.
While businesses are entitled to add a charge to cover the cost of PPE, for example, it is against competition rules for trade associations to coordinate such a charge.
Brian McHugh from the CCPC explained: "[We contacted] some hairdressers' bodies, just to speak to them about them about the statements that they've made, to warn them about the potential breach of competition.
"Sometimes it can be inadvertent - the goal is to achieve compliance, and remind them of competition law."
He said each business needs to determine their own situation independently, explaining: "They need to look at their own costs and what the charges might be, [and] look at the market.
"Some businesses might decide they have to do some deals in the circumstances to get consumers back.
"Others might have to bring in new charges and new prices, but they must decide themselves what that new price is."
In a statement, the Irish Hairdressers Association said it has engaged very constructively with the CCPC in the past few days.
The group acknowledged that its not its role to make any recommendations on prices, as this is a matter for each individual salon owner to decide.
The group said: "The Irish Hairdressers Federation is aware that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has an extremely important role to play in protecting the rights of consumers and ensuring a fair trading environment is maintained for all businesses."
