Re-using wax spatulas

[Lisa111]

I work p/t in a hair salon doing nails and waxing. The owner recently left me a note to say I was to re-use the waxing spatulas.
The ones she buys are the normal wooden disposables. My initial reaction was shock and disgust!

As far as I am aware, these cannot or should not be re-used for hygiene reasons. I think if she were to purchase the plastic or metal ones perhaps this would be ok (can be cleaned and disinfected) but she wants me to keep them all and use the wax cleaner etc. on them.

I honestly think that for the sake of a couple of quid for a box of 100 spatulas I just wouldn't feel comfortable or happy with doing this.

Am I just being over-cautious here or does anybody else think this is ok?!

(Not being funny but if someone had just had a bikini wax with the spatula now to be used on me I would feel a bit eeked out...)

 

[Bev Rose]

That's dreadful practice!

The wooden spatulas are DISPOSABLE! Dispose of them.

I cannot believe she would want to do that, goodness sake, whats a couple of quid for a box of 100 - you could always snap them in half lengthways to get more use of them?? depends what type of waxing, I do that for eyebrows.
But, the time & effort spent cleaning the wax off a wooden spatula & then how to sterilise?? What planet is she on!

 

[BABSann]

Years ago they did re use these,I think she may be caught in a time warp and it would be good to suggest in a polite way that these are not to be re used(insurance and all that)then perhaps suggest you use a spatula that can be re-used( the type designed for re use that can be sanitised...not wooden).Be tactful though so not to cause offense,some salon owners have NO idea at all...trained 25 years ago and not done any training since yet think they are the best....Uh!!! NO:twisted:

 

[Lisa111]

EXACTLY!!!!!

I mentioned the insurance thing and I was polite when I said I could not and would not do that but she got really rude and offensive. She isn't even in the beauty industry but is in the hair industry.

Oh dear.

 

[nails for u]

thats proper mingin ,some people would compromise alsorts to save a few quid i wonder if she turns her knickers inside out to get an extra day out of them

 

[Bev Rose]

thats proper mingin ,some people would compromise alsorts to save a few quid i wonder if she turns her knickers inside out to get an extra day out of them

Then back to front & inside out again!

Possibly....

 

[Lisa111]

Oh my goodness.....

 

[Bettierae]

Its gross, and minging. But if she is stubborn, as some people are, perhaps suggest a few more sensible savings you can make around the salon to justify the extra few quid on DISPOSABLE spatulas.

Or..... If you really can't have this out with her for one reason or another (I KNOW how hard it is to challenge someone on things like this, been there, done that) Just keep the peace, bite the bullet, and buy (and secret stash) yourself a few spare boxes of each size spatula next time you are at the wholesalers.

I know its defeating the point, but YOU know you are covered then, while you spend your time drumming it into her how nasty it is lol (leave the computer open on a page about cross-contamination? Leave a salon mag with an article about hygeine in the staff room, opened and highlighted perhaps? lol!) hth x x

 

[Zo Zo]

I work p/t in a hair salon doing nails and waxing. The owner recently left me a note to say I was to re-use the waxing spatulas.
The ones she buys are the normal wooden disposables. My initial reaction was shock and disgust!

As far as I am aware, these cannot or should not be re-used for hygiene reasons. I think if she were to purchase the plastic or metal ones perhaps this would be ok (can be cleaned and disinfected) but she wants me to keep them all and use the wax cleaner etc. on them.

I honestly think that for the sake of a couple of quid for a box of 100 spatulas I just wouldn't feel comfortable or happy with doing this.

Am I just being over-cautious here or does anybody else think this is ok?!

(Not being funny but if someone had just had a bikini wax with the spatula now to be used on me I would feel a bit eeked out...)

Really, disposable spatulas shouldn't be re-used.. Yes, metal and plastic can be cleaned and sanitised although I still wouldn't use them on areas that blood spot. And as for spats costing a couple of quid for 100.. I actually sell them for a quid and they are good quality. (Hive.) And you can buy them for 75p from Salonserve, although they are not quite so nice. I'm actually quite shocked about this - after all, waxing is such a profitable treatment and spats are such a small expense!

 

[Bettierae]

Haha sorry Zoe, a couple of quid.... that was me being vague! Its late lol. It proves the cost point even more though, a hundred for a quid is nothing! x x

 

[kylieb]

I'm sure she wouldnt like to be coming in to have her waxing after the 5th person. Come on now, some people! This is gross.
They will just be imposs to work with after a while so you would have to throw them anyway. I would be thinking twice about working for her if it were me. x

 

[angelina221]

I've just ordered 25 boxes from Ellisons for 69p a box so there really is no excuse for sanitizing wooden spatulas.
They would just end up cracking and splittling and harbouring more germs.
Perhaps you should show her this thread!

 

[gillian w]

Perhaps you suggest to her that the amount of money that she would be using in solvent and sanitiser would outweigh the cost of the spatulas so its pointless as well as revolting .

 

[rouge]

Habia have produced a code of practice for waxing - it might be worth printing out a copy and showing it to her. Supporting Businesses - Codes of Practice - Habia

 

[Lynne Baker]

You said it yourself - she's a hair person, not a beauty therapist.
Maybe, nobody has had the professionalism to say something to her before. I would gather written evidence (from your insurance company if necessary) and diplomatically give it to her, suggesting that she would of course not want to compromise her clients' safety by economising in this way.
She may also not be sourcing them from the cheapest supplier. Perron Rigot charge a whopping £4.50 per 100; show her that she can get these at 69p from Ellisons and she could well thank you!
Tact and diplomacy are key here. Get her on her own, and be prepared to have to back down. It's her sandpit - her rules. At that point get your coat and hightail it out of there!

 

[TheBack&Beyond]

I'll add my voice to the word disposable. Solvent is far more expensive anyway.

The costs are really rather negligible compared to electricity and the salon advertising budget!

There's always the logic about it's cheaper to keep 10 customers rather than get 1 new one, IMHO if I saw spats drying on a line like used tea bags - I'd never go back!

hth? Jason.