Salon Hygiene - III

In this edition, we would look at infections which are spread through inanimate Secondary Contact Surfaces and how to prevent spread of infections.

When clients go to salon for beauty services, they come in contact with various inanimate objects at all three stages of their services - i.e., before during and after their services. All those equipments/implements which are needed to provide beauty services to clients could be classified as primary or essential contact surfaces while all other objects which comes in contact with clients and does not form part of the service equipments are secondary contact surfaces.

Secondary contact surface

Some of the surface interface which clients would be exposed to in their service cycle are:
1) Reception area: Couch,chairs in waiting area, telephone/computers
2) Wash Room: Every contact surface including door handles, wash basin surface and water tap knobs.
3) Treatment area: Chair/bed, gowns, towels, capes and service station furniture, tubs.

Decontamination

Good salon hygiene procedure should follow decontamination process to prevent infection.

Contamination is a process where surface get soiled due to dust, dirt, cosmetic product residue, skin/nail/hair debris. Decontamination is the process of removing substances which could harbour harmful microbes like bacteria, virus fungus and/or destroy them.

It involves three things namely:
1) Cleaning
2) Disinfecting
3) Sterilizing

Cleaning

Cleaning is a process of removal of visible debris in every surface of salon which could harbour microbes. It does not destroy these microbes however it ensures prevention of breeding ground for them.

Some of the cleaning practises are:
a) Usage of hard surface wipes which is ideal for removing workstation and equipment dusts
b) Spray products in trigger bottle
c) Detergent in warm water for cleaning most of the surfaces
d) Scrubbing of equipments
e) Sweeping and moping frequently to avoid residue build up.

Disinfection

Disinfection is a process of reducing harmful germs to a level that it doesn't cause infection. Disinfection without cleaning will not be effective.

Every surface and reusable items in salon must be disinfected. Surfaces could be categorized into two:
a) Hard surface example metal, fibre, wood etc; and
b) Porous surface like clothes.

Products ideal for disinfecting hard surfaces are the ones used in hospitals (hospital disinfectants). While the ones best suited for porous items are Isopropyl and Ethyl alcohol.

Most salon chairs and couches are made from PVC and vinyl and hence, they are easy to clean. These days' manufacturers do clearly label their products as cleaning agents for disinfection against bacteria, virus and fungus.

Sterilization

Sterilization means a process of destruction of all micro organisms including spores. Steam sterilization is the preferred method of sterilizing salon equipments. It is a quick, non-toxic and highly effective way when used correctly. It is ideal for those equipments which are reusable, non porous.

Proper procedure of cleaning, disinfecting and sterilization followed by salons would ensure better client and employee health which is in the long term interest of the salon business.