Salon Wellness
The health and safety of our clients is priority. If you are not a licensed stylist, check with your Sate Board to determine if licensing or certification is required for you to provide services to the public.
Even if licensing is not a requirement, I expect you, as a DK Master to ALWAYS practice proper health, safety and disinfection procedures when providing services for clients.
Infection Control
Infectious material transferred from one person to another can result in skin infections and blood poisoning, and so can unsanitary implements, likes combs, nail files, and shears. This is because implements act as a vehicle, allowing pathogenic organisms, like microbes and germs, to be transmitted between people. Although much of the bacteria found on surfaces are benign, there are a number of organisms that have the potential to wreak havoc on unsuspecting victims:
- Staphylococci: Presence in skin abscesses, pustules, and boils
- Streptococci: Found in blood poisoning
- Diplococci: Cause pneumonia
- Gonococci: Cause gonorrhea
- Meningococci: Cause meningitis
- Bacilli: Produce such diseases as tetanus, influenza, diphtheria, typhoid, and tuberculosis
These types of bacteria can—and do—easily enter the body a number of ways: through the mouth by food, liquids or items placed in the mouth; through the nose and mouth when breathing; through the eyes by dirty hands or items like unclean contact lenses; and through breaks or wounds in the skin.
Antiseptics
Chemical agents like liquid disinfectants remain the most common (and arguably the most practical) method of infection control in salons. Antiseptic solutions may be used in many instances, but they are not as strong as disinfectant solutions. Antiseptics are often chosen over disinfectants when used on the skin.
Common antiseptics used in a salon environment include:
- Alcohol: 50 to 60 percent solution when used on the skin
- Tincture of iodine: 2 percent serves as a good skin antiseptic
- Hydrogen peroxide: 3 to 5 percent solution used for minor wounds
Disinfectants
Disinfectants are much stronger; therefore, they are used to destroy bacteria and prevent their multiplication. Many salons use germicides—chemical agents designed to kill bacteria.
All EPA-registered liquid disinfectants (Learn more about EPA-registered disinfectants):
- Must have the words “bacterial, fungicidal, and virucidal” on the label
- Must be mixed, used, stored, and disposed of according to manufacturer’s label instructions
- Must be prepared fresh every day and replaced immediately when the solution becomes visibly contaminated
- Are ineffective when proper cleaning is not performed before use
- Require complete immersion of the tool for at least 10 minutes
DAILY DUTY CHECK LIST
Sample Procedures For Maintaining a Clean Space
After each shampoo:
Remove all hair from the sink and drain.
Clean the shampoo bowl with disinfectant wipe and wipe down nozzle and chair.
Clean up any water that has spilled on the floor.
The shampoo area needs to be clean and sanitized at all times.
After each client:
Sweep the floor.
Wipe down the chair.
Remove soiled implements from the area. (You can disinfect them immediately or place them in the soiled instrument container to disinfect before you leave for the day.)
When using the disinfectant:
Wash your soiled instrument and remove ALL hair from the instrument before placing it in the disinfectant solution.
Remove all instruments from the solution before you leave for the day.
DO NOT leave disinfected instruments in the shampoo area.
Store all disinfected instruments in a clean dry place in your station labeled “CLEAN”.
Before you leave for the day OR if you are the last one leaving the salon:
Make sure your station is clean.
Clean your mirror.
Wipe down your chair and fold your chair cloth.
Return all shampoo capes to the shampoo area and place dirty towels in the hamper.
Return all magazines and albums to their appropriate area.
Remove all disinfected instruments from the shampoo area.
Throw away all trash.
Sweep the floor.
Turn your chair towards the mirror and lock it.
Take out the trash, especially if it is full!