Personal hygiene and cleanliness are as important as your daily meals. What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
You probably take a shower, brush your teeth, groom your hair, and dress up. Nobody asks you to do it because it is a part of your routine. Nobody shares their toothbrushes, hairbrush, razor, and towel with anyone, even their spouses, because it is not hygienic. Tools that tend to come in contact with your blood, saliva, and skin are not shared with others to prevent the spread of bacterial and viral infections. This is why the sterilization of treatment tools is so essential in a salon. Salon tools include scissors, combs and brushes, nail cutters, makeup brushes, amongst others.
There are main (like cuticle cutters e.g.) tools used for everyone. It entails a strong chance that if they are not adequately cleaned, they might become a dangerous breeding ground for bacteria. This is when sterilization of cosmetic tools comes into play. This article aims to talk about the need and importance of sterilization in salons and covers the following points:
You must have heard sterilization of tools in hospitals and clinics. However, hairstylist, beauty experts, and nails specialists at beauty parlors also use cosmetic tools which may get contaminated and spread diseases. Sterilization is a process of killing the microorganism and pathogens on re-usable tools, which tend to have a risk of spreading diseases. According to the Public Health Regulation 2012, all reusable tools which can penetrate skin must be sterilized. These tools include scissors, cuticle cutters, metal nail filers, which cause skin abrasion, etc. After giving a client service, it is essential to clean and sterilize the reusable tools.
Indeed, any company or business in a public facility has to mitigate health hazards such as damaged wires or damp floors. However, the danger of personal injury is exceptionally high when it comes to beauty and spa services due to the tools, equipment, and devices used on the bodies of consumers. Therefore, health and safety in a salon are of extreme importance, which is why it has become a law obligation as well. Therefore, all the salons which carry out skin penetration treatments such as waxing must be registered and have a license from their local authorities. According to the public health legislation, all the salons must be equipped with a washbasin with the access of warm water. It should have a supply of liquid or alcoholic based soap, which serves as a purpose of disinfectant. The staff should have disposable gloves, clean aprons, and clean linen at all times of their duty.
All the cosmetic tools and equipment used at salons must be in good condition. This means that they shouldn’t be rusty or old.All the reusable tools must be sterilized using a bench-top sterilizer, which complies with AS 2182-1998 Sterilizers – Steam – Benchtop. Furthermore, there should be a trained professional at the salon who can carry out the sterilization process. It is also important to carry out the process of sterilization under AS/NZS 4815:2006 Office-based health requirement.
Firstly, all the cosmetics must be properly scrubbed and cleaned, either using a piece of washing equipment or ultrasonic cleaner before processing them through the sterilizer. Prior cleaning and washing are essential procedures because they will wash away the visible traces of blood or pus from the equipment. It is also important to make sure that the tools are dried before sterilization because the moisture can damage the equipment. All the tools must be packaged and labelled before sterilization to maintain the sterility of the tools until the time of use.
After sterilization of the tools, make sure to check if they are not wet. Any traces of moisture on the tools indicates that they are not sterilized properly. Sterile packages should be removed just before services commence. Microwave ovens, UV-light boxes, pasteurizers, boiling does not sterilize the tools. For brushes, it is necessary to clean them on a daily basis. Make sure to clean your brushes and sponges by scrubbing them in anti-bacterial soapy warm water. The failure of compliance with the Public Health Regulation leads to fines and penalties.
The spread of diseases has become very common in salons. Salons have become very popular, but not every salon follows the regulations. The abrasive metal instruments used in pedicures and manicures can cause bleeding from minor cuts, and if they are not sterilized after each use, the blood-borne bacteria can spread to other customers. Pedicures are exceptionally well known for the transmission of hepatitis B and C, which can lead to lethal cirrhosis or hepatic cancer. Most nail salons fail to comply with the sterilization procedures. So often, people who want to stay safe, carry their own equipment.
It is understood that waxing procedures cause inflammation of skin and burns. However, people often have the practice of double-dipping that is, placing a wooden spatula back into the wax pot after it has been used. It can lead to a significant risk of spreading diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhoea. In 1965, a medical researcher was able to track many patients with hepatitis B back to a barber who spread the disease unknowingly by saving his clients with the same razor. He did use a disinfectant, but it was not strong enough to eliminate the bacteria. Hence, it is imperative to make sure a salon is well equipped with necessary sterilization methods and expertise.
While your pampering and grooming is an essential part, and you do deserve a relaxing spa day, do not risk your comfort.bAlways look for the best salon which is registered and licensed. Also, make sure if the salon has clean benches, chairs, and equipment. Moreover, the cleanliness of the staff also reflects the standard of the parlour.
Good luck and stay healthy!
