Infection Control and Cosmetology: Why Hair Stylists Should Understand the Science Infection Control and Cosmetology: Why Hair Stylists Should Understand the Science
Learn How To Keep Your Salon and Hair Practices Clean and Infection-Free
There is science in everything we do as hair stylists – it’s in the way we add volume to an up-do, the way we change the hue of someone’s hair, and it’s in the products we use to do it all. Cosmetology is the perfect blend of art and science, and that’s why we love it.
A huge part of going to hair stylist school is learning the science behind hair and salon care. When someone walks into a salon and sits in your chair, they’re trusting you. Chemical care, cleanliness, and proper procedures are essential to protecting you and your clients.
When you know the science behind infection control and what can happen when you don’t take proper precautions, you’ll find yourself taking even greater care of yourself and your salon space.
How Infection Spreads in Hair Salons and What Hair Stylists Can Do To Help
Taking care of your work space isn’t just for appearances – it also protects against the spread of diseases and infections. According to the research shared in Infection and Drug Resistance, the ingredients and components in cosmetic products and tools make the salon an ideal environment for the creation of microbes. This means salon employees must be diligent about sanitizing their area..
When hair stylists don’t follow the proper disinfection procedures, bacteria, viruses, and even parasites can spread from client to client and surface to surface. In our Wichita cosmetology program, we emphasize the importance of cleaning and disinfecting everything in your salon space – and how to do it properly.
Daily Procedures and Hair Stylist Cleanliness
People wanting to learn how to become a hair stylist may not even realize that the role is so much more than just cutting and styling hair. You’re manipulating and re-creating a part of the human body – so keeping a safe and clean environment ensures nothing infectious is transferred by you or your clients.
In accordance with the Kansas Board of Cosmetology, hair stylists must disinfect all tools and equipment after each use. Sterilization ensures there aren’t any living microorganisms or bacteria on your equipment. Although this can be daunting, make these practices a part of your daily tasks! Letting your used tools, towels, and mess pile up creates a breeding ground for bacteria that can potentially spread across the salon.
The Kansas Board of Cosmetology requires hair stylists and cosmetologists to:
- Wash and dry all linens, including capes, at the end of each day.
- Disinfect surfaces, including shampoo bowls and chairs between clients.
- Keep shampoo and other product bottles clean, ensuring labels are readable.
- Keep single-use items clean and covered during storage.
- Clean and immerse non-electrical tools, such as combs, in disinfectant for the required amount of time.
- Disinfect shears by wiping away hair, debris, and product and then submerging them in Barbicide or other disinfecting solution.
- Disassemble electrical tools and disinfect pieces that made contact with the client’s scalp or hair.
Follow Disease Control Policies and Procedures for Hair Stylists
We understand infection control can be intimidating. When you enroll in hair stylist school, your program will cover the policies, procedures, and regulations for your state.
But what happens if your clients inadvertently bring a concerning infection into your workplace?
If you follow infection control protocol, you’ll also need to understand who you can and cannot perform cosmetology services on. According to the Kansas Board of Cosmetology’s Infection Control Regulations for Practitioners and Facilities, cosmetologists are prohibited from performing cosmetology services on anyone who has open sores, inflamed tissue suggesting a communicable disease or condition, fungus, or lice.
If this happens to you, follow these crucial steps to ensure you don’t spread the infection across the salon:
- Stop services immediately in a safe manner.
- Inform the consumer why the service was stopped – discreetly, if possible.
- Clean and disinfect all affected tools, work areas, and waiting area.
It’s imperative that you stay up to date on your state regulations and learn why we have these requirements. When you understand where and how infections spread quickly and easily, you take better care to prevent them.
Join Our Wichita Cosmetology Program to Learn More!
Are you interested in starting your cosmetology journey? at Eric Fisher Academy, our skilled instructors and staff set you up for success. In our program, we provide state-of-the-art equipment for you to practice infection control and preventative measures for keeping your salon space clean.
Whether you’re just starting your hair stylist journey or continuing your cosmetology education, we have options for you at Eric Fisher Academy. Check out our programs, take a tour of our facilities, and apply now!
