Science Topic: Sanitation in the salon

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Thanks :)

I was taught about in college but quite a few years ago now but it's one of those topics that is always useful to be reminded of :)
Happy to help ;) Allen
 
I love Mundo File & Abrasive spray, and clients always comment on how nice it is to see me keeping everything clean.

I scrub my tools in the morning, then spray them. I also spray before and after each client (making sure there aren't any 'bits' on them by cleaning with couch roll first). When I get home, I soak the tools in barbicide for 10 minutes.

My tools are kept in a little pencil tin lined with couch roll. When I have a client, the couch roll that lined the tin is used to clean the tools and a new square is added to the tin.

I wasn't ever told to keep separate files for clients... but I do use the abrasive spray and scrub the files to rid them of dust etc. Should I be doing more? I would probably use a file 5 or so times before I bin it and get a new one out. I use NSI files (disinfectable).

xx
 
This is exactly what I was thought in my training, I'm glad it's universal.

I was surprised when my trainer said "Water & Soap does wonders!" I always thought I'd need an autoclave or something... Bahaha naive little me!
 
So pleased this thread was posted, sanitation of files was virtually the first question I asked on my training course and I have never been happy using the same file ( no matter how sanitized) on different clients. I think I will pop them in envelopes as well and attach them to the client cards.

Huge thank you for another very educational and informative thread.
 
In the U.S., we don't have MUNDO.

What we do is scrub our implements with a brush and hot, soapy water then we immerse them in a hospital grade disinfectant solution for 10 minutes. After that, we put them in a sanitization cabinet to dry.

This is protocol is the State of Florida....except the part about the sanitization cabinet.
 
And another Bump, don't think this should fall too far down the archives, as like you say Allen, there's still so many who aren't doing the right thing when it comes to sanitisation, as they have perhaps been misinformed or not taught correctly in the first place. This is a very valuable thread!
 
Just bumping this up as it's so vital x
 
Thanks Della, I had a bit of a wobble about this topic a few days ago, luckily I could email my EA and she clarified things for me. This advice is so important so it's great to be able to read through it again and again if required.

I too was really surprised whilst training to learn that good old soap and water (sanitation) removes up to 99% of pathogens, when I started training I honestly thought everything would have to be sterilised...don't laugh!! Obviously I didn't really understand the three methods of cleaning.

Also, like others I have been making up my Mundo disinfectant to use twice, then throw away, so it's nice to know there are ways around this so I'm not wasteful.

Anyway, thank you for this thread...genius xx
 
I was out on Monday and passed by a nail bar which was in a mall. I stood and watched some l&p nails getting done. There were about three women sitting getting their nails done. The technicians were all wearing masks and I could see their drill attachments which were choked with dust from nails and the technician in front of me used 2 different files which when finished were flung in her drawer in front of me. I was amazed at the disregard for hygiene and sanitisation. I think it is sad that prospective customers do not appear to notice or realise the necessity for high standards. Oh well sorry for going off track but I think the public as well as us should be made more aware of the results of bad hygiene and sanitisation in nail salons.
 
In that disinfecting/sanitising sprays do not get rid of fungal spores I assume still necessary to sterilise metal tools to avoid cross contamination?
 
Glad you enjoyed the thread... It really worries me that this information it's not universally taught ...

Most hard surface disinfectant sprays need to air dry to work. Not having used the mundo I assume that it would still be the case...

I was taught to keep a file and orange stick for every client in an envelope on their record card, but to spray it before returning it after use. Also to put my metal tools into barbicide to disinfect them. And before any treatment, I have the antibacterial gel that I apply to myself then to clients before I begin doing the nails. Im a wagon for it as I think its a very important aspect of what we do. :)

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I'm bumping up this thread again, thanks Envy for all the information.

I trained in college and we were always using the autoclav but were never really talked through options for disinfecting without an autoclav, so I was getting a bit worried today thinking I would need to purchase one :(

But the information on here has really helped, love the one file for each client thing. My sister in law went to a salon when he friend was getting her nails done. The therapist was finishing a pedicure then went on to do her friends manicure and used the same file, no cleaning what so ever. My sister in law noticed and was disgusted and has been telling everyone since. I think letting my clients know they have their own file will help them realize that I take hygiene really seriously.

I think in case of fungal cross-contamination I will boil my tools every so often.

Sarah xxx
 
HA! I need to print this thread and shove it in someone's face. I was having sort of a "Mexican standoff" with a new tech at my work about this. She was saying where she's from, they sterilize everything (including the desk tops... which I'm still wondering how that's done) and that what the way things were being done (disinfecting and sanitizing) was not enough, and that everything was still dirty. And I was saying "unless you've just performed open heart surgery on your nail desk with your implements, there's really no reason to 'sterilize' them." BOOM! Time to do my "I told you so" dance. :lol:

By the way, any chance ALL these science topics will be sticky note? They're really great for newbies, and those looking to refresh their knowledge. :)
 
Glad this thread has been a help.

I have been meaning to add these to the articles tutorial section, as that's the most logical place for them.

Allen
 
So question which some may think is silly...... what do you do with metal implements that have been washed and soaked in disinfectant for 10 mins if you are not going to use them straight away.... how do you store them to keep them sanitized? I have to admit I always keep mine in my barbacide which I change every day.
 
I was told to take them out after soaking, dry thoroughly, and store in a closed container that only holds disinfected implements. I have a plastic box I use.

I'm glad I saw this thread. In Massachusetts, all porous materials (files, buffers, wood sticks, etc) are considered "one time use" and must be disposed of. However, I am the ONLY tech I know that actually does this. I'm sure there are others, it's just that I haven't met them :) I use the files that have a solid core and disposable abrasives that you stick on and then toss. I actually really like them, but they are more expensive. In this state, we can't even keep files set aside for the same client.

If hospital grade disinfectants don't kill fungal spores and you don't have an autoclave, what can you do? We're not supposed to service anyone with a fungal infection but in the early stages it may not be obvious right?
 
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So question which some may think is silly...... what do you do with metal implements that have been washed and soaked in disinfectant for 10 mins if you are not going to use them straight away.... how do you store them to keep them sanitized?

If you are storing them (and they are dry) use a clean brown paper bag. This will pull away and moisture and prevent bacteria growing

Do not use a plastic bag or container as this will trap moisture. Get warm and allow bacteria to thrive.

If you wish you can always re-disinfect and let dry just prior to use.

I was told to take them out after soaking, dry thoroughly, and store in a closed container that only holds disinfected implements. I have a plastic box I use.

If hospital grade disinfectants don't kill fungal spores and you don't have an autoclave, what can you do? We're not supposed to service anyone with a fungal infection but in the early stages it may not be obvious right?

See above about plastic boxes...

Fungal infection are extremely unlikely on hands. They spores never have the environment they need (warm, dark and moist). If you remove any one of those environmental requirements then infection becomes extremely unlikely.

For toes I would generally use an old disinfected file and throw it away after use (after each client). If I saw a toe nail that looked troubled I would not use the file for that toe on any other toe. Even on the same client.

Footnote. In New Zealand we are allowed to use our discretion to work on any client. Of course if your country/state law says you must refer contraindictions to a doctor then do so for your own safety.

Hths
 
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I've just lost a client due to being "upset and offended" that I dare to suggest there may be fungal infection present and for her to see a podiatrist or GP to get confirmation. This was a client who I suspected had infection but who told me she had been to her GP and was told it wasn't and was from ill fitting shoes over the years causing damage. After damaging her big toenail so severely she recently had the nail removed and the chiropodist confirmed there was infection present in that nail.

I therefore said I would no longer be able to shellac her toenails until I had WRITTEN confirmation from a qualified foot specialist such as a chiropodist or podiatrist that no further infection was present in any other of the nails (as her other nails also looked fungal). She got insulted and said the chiropodist didn't know what she was talking about and was offended by what I was saying. She's now not coming back.

Thank goodness I have such strict hygiene in my salon so as none of my other clients were ever really at risk. But the moral of the story, if you suspect fungal and work in a country where it's a contraindication, then DON'T go ahead, whether they get offended or not! And have stringent hygiene and sanitation practices at all times ;)

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I've just lost a client due to being "upset and offended" that I dare to suggest there may be fungal infection present and for her to see a podiatrist or GP to get confirmation. This was a client who I suspected had infection but who told me she had been to her GP and was told it wasn't and was from ill fitting shoes over the years causing damage. After damaging her big toenail so severely she recently had the nail removed and the chiropodist confirmed there was infection present in that nail.

I therefore said I would no longer be able to shellac her toenails until I had WRITTEN confirmation from a qualified foot specialist such as a chiropodist or podiatrist that no further infection was present in any other of the nails (as her other nails also looked fungal). She got insulted and said the chiropodist didn't know what she was talking about and was offended by what I was saying. She's now not coming back.

Thank goodness I have such strict hygiene in my salon so as none of my other clients were ever really at risk. But the moral of the story, if you suspect fungal and work in a country where it's a contraindication, then DON'T go ahead, whether they get offended or not! And have stringent hygiene and sanitation practices at all times ;)

Sent from my GT-I9300 using SalonGeek

Too right Planky
Better to lose one then all your clients with cross infection.
Xx

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Although often said, nail techs can not disinfect themselves or clients - as we are living organisms for it to really work it would also be killing us
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totally Off Topic

This is what I always said about sterilising babies bottles, why is it done to such an extreme extent? I breastfed and didn't/couldn't sterilise my boobs lol!
 

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