Sanitation

[Nataliya]

[FONT=&quot]Sanitation guide.[/FONT]​

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[FONT=&quot]A small insight into what infection is and how we can get infected in the salon unless we follow appropriate sanitising procedures to avoid cross infection.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Infection [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- is penetration of pathogenic micro-organisms into the tissues, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. These micro-organisms attaching into the tissues and multiply rapidly destroying the healthy tissue. At the beginning the infection is localised. This could get as bad as blood poisoning. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Now let’s see how therapists can catch infection within the salon.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Majority of bacteria’s, fungi and other pathogenic micro-organisms are getting into the body via nose, mouth and minor cuts on the skin, and also via eyes and ears. We are risking passing on the infection to our clients, because we are actually making contact with pathogenic organisms within the salon. We can see from the following how we can get infected:[/FONT]
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·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Contaminated manicure implements [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- bacteria and other micro-organisms multiply at the very high speed, for example - on dirty nail files, cuticle nippers, manicure tables, litter bins and towels.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Nails, hands and feet of our clients[/FONT][FONT=&quot] - every client that enters the salon bring in a vast mass of new micro-organisms, including the pathogenic ones. When we are treating clients we are risking to get infected ourselves. [/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Never treat client with fungal infection[/FONT][FONT=&quot] unless you are wearing the gloves and sanitising equipment properly after use to avoid spreading the infection.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Nose, mouth and eyes of our clients, colleagues plus our own[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. Any person in the salon that are coughing, sneezing or has a running nose are dispersing the bacteria very rapidly and we are breathing them in. And if our immune system is not functioning properly due to smoking, unhealthy diet, luck of sleep and fresh air - we are getting infected with colds and flu. [/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Open cuts on us or our clients[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. Contaminated fluid can pass from one person to another through these small cuts.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Salon equipment[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. Micro-organism are building up on tables, chairs, towels, phones, brushes, all implements that are not sanitised properly and covered with a clean tissue afterwards. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]So, now that we know about the bacteria and know how they can actually spread and affect us - we can point out what we need to do to avoid cross-infection and contamination, minimise our clients and our own risks, and also maintain healthy and professional environment.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Here is your guide:[/FONT]
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·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Our hands should always be perfectly clean. Dirt on our hands and under our nails harbours bacteria. Our hands need washing before and after every treatment. Where hands regularly come into contact with client’s skin and hair as in massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, IHM, etc. it is paramount that we protect ourselves by the thorough cleansing of hands.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Long nails may look attractive but are not practical for body therapy work. Cause they not only trap dirt, but can also cause discomfort to our clients by inadvertently scratching and damaging the skin. Keeping nails short and neat can prevent the risk of spreading infection and disease. Clean, well-manicured nails without splits or tears are hygienic and safe.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Always check client's skin for contra-indications. It might be a good idea to read over the college notes describing types of contra-indication for treatments that we do in our salon. [/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Always check client’s notes and consultation forms to check if anything changes since their last visit.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]And also here is a guide on how to sanitise our tools properly:[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Wash the implements[/FONT][FONT=&quot].[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Wash tools with some soap and tepid water, making sure all the dead skin and dirt are removed from the tools. Use brush if required.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Wash the implements under the running tepid water.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]It is essential to remove any remains of soap from the tools, residues of soap stops the barbicide from working properly. Wipe the implements dry.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Place implements into the Barbicide solution.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]It is imperative to make sure that all the dirt and dead skin are removed from the tools before placing them into the disinfecting solution; otherwise the tools would not be sanitised properly. Usually 10 minutes only required for sanitising, tools should not be left for longer in the solution. If barbicide solution is cloudy it has to be changed. Avoid getting the solution onto your skin.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Wash your hands with tea tree wash.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Wash hands with antibacterial soap and wipe dry with a towel.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Remove the implements from sanitising solution.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Tools should be washed under tepid water and wiped dry before use.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Tools kept on the side of the pedicure station should be covered with clean tissue.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Preparing barbicide.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]One cup full of barbicide into the glass and fill with water up to the line mark on the glass, place cotton wool on the bottom of the glass to avoid blunting the tools.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Sanitise pedicure baths[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Pedicure baths should be sanitised after every client, washed and sprayed with sanitising solution or wiped with surgical spirit.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Make sure you are cleaning your pedicure bath before moving on to do other things, if your client is still at the station, you can leave clean bath on the side of the pedicure sink. Please do not stack used baths in the sink, as sink is provided for various things. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Manicure bowls.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Manicure bowls should be washed with hot water and sprayed with sanitising solution or wiped with surgical spirit.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Manicure files.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Manicure files should be sanitised after every client with sanitising solution.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]To avoid build up of bacteria within the salon, the following should be taken into account:[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Litter bins should be emptied regularly throughout the day[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Floors should be washed daily with disinfectant[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Surfaces and shelves should dusted daily, as dust contains dead skin cells that might be infected, as well as dust from filing the nails.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Toilets should be cleaned every day, including the door handles.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Sinks should be cleaned daily, these includes sinks in treatment rooms, staff room, kitchen, toilets.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Use fresh, clean towel for every client.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]All containers and bottles should be covered, and should be cleaned regularly.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]All implements and equipment should be properly sanitised after every client.[/FONT]


Copyright - Nataliya Onyshchenko, 2007