1. Keep it clean!
Hygiene in the salon

2. Why is hygiene important
Poor standards of hygiene can lead to:
Dirty salons
Messy staff
Dangerous work areas
Use of unsafe equipment
Illness
Injury
Cross infection
Accident
Poor reputations

3. Every workplace must follow the rules set by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Industry Codes of Practice and Workplace policies. They are there to protect you from accident, injury or illness.
Health
fitness & wellbeing
Safety
not dangerous
Hygiene
cleanliness

4. Passing on infection cross-infection/contamination
Direct contact
Sneezing
Coughing
Touching
Breathing!
Indirect contact
Dirty tools
Dirty towels
Wet floor
Jars of product

5. Prevention is better than cure!
Sterilisation
Disinfection
Sanitisation

6. Sterilisation
This method kills all germs & bacteria by exposing them to very high temperatures.
Can be used for tools & equipment.
Methods of sterilisation include:
Steam – autoclave
Ultraviolet – UV cabinet
Heat – glass bead steriliser

7. Disinfection
This reduces number of germs & bacteria to a less harmful level by wiping over them with a chemical solution.
Most disinfectants are alcohol or bleach based.
Previously sterilised tools can be kept clean by placing them in a disinfectant solution.

8. Sanitisation This method reduces the growth of germs & bacteria.
Hands are sanitised using antibacterial soaps or hand washes
Tools and equipment can be sanitised by using liquids such as surgical spirit or other alcohol based solutions.

9. Your turn! Your responsibility to reduce infection risk will include
Washing hands before & after treatment
Keeping nails short, clean & no varnish
Removing all jewellery
Wearing a clean, fresh uniform
Hair tied back and off the face
Don’t eat or drink in the treatment area
Wipe down surfaces & trolleys before you start
Sterilise/disinfect tools as necessary or use disposable items
Use spatulas not fingers to take products from pots
Never treat someone with a contra-indication

10. Germ facts!
Germs are everywhere – they travel fast & multiply constantly
Germs love warm, damp conditions
Coughing & sneezing spreads germs
The top 5 germs hideouts
The phone
The desktop
The water fountain
Microwave door handles
Computer keyboard
Toilet seats & photocopiers are generally the least germ ridden