Hygiene Tips for Your Business: Hair and Nail Salons

The pandemic changed many things in our life, including our behaviour. We started to become more cautious everywhere we go, taking disinfectant wipes and sanitisers with us and washing our hands more attentively. Especially, we began to be more careful at beauty centres as one mistake by the technician could be harmful to our health. 

You, as an owner of a beauty salon, feel the most responsible for the health of your customers and want to implement the best hygiene practices for your beauty centre. We’ve compiled essential hygiene tips for your business to help you come up with the most hygienic environment that will make your clients enjoy their day. 

  1. Cleaning Tools

There is a higher risk of cross-contamination in salons. Dirty tools that you or your clients use can spread bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The main culprits of cross-contamination are tools like scissors, combs, and tweezers. Your clients will be angry and sad if they find out that you’ve used the same scissors on all of them without disinfecting them. In this way, you can spread germs and bacteria among your clients which will then cause different infections. Your clients will never trust you anymore and won’t return to your salon. 

That’s why it is crucial to clean each tool before accepting another client, and this should be done attentively and closely. Instruments that come into touch with several customers, including rollers, brushes, nail tools, clippers, combs, etc. should be cleaned frequently between uses and stored clean and dry when not in use.

Whenever you have a customer that has a bacterial illness or a wound, it’s recommended to be cautious and not treat them. You can say this in a very polite way without embarrassing the customer. For instance, you can ask them to seek medical advice first so that you won’t harm their health.

To ensure proper sanitation, put salon tools in boiling water for 3–5 minutes. You should sterilise metal tools, such as scissors and tweezers in an autoclave. Dishes, bowls, and other salon supplies should be properly cleaned with warm water and soap. Ideally, opt for one-time use tools that are disposable after each client if your budget allows for it. 

  1. Washing Hands

You should always see through that your clients wash their hands with water and soap before approaching their technicians. Many bacteria, including fungi, staphylococcus aureus, etc. can be below nails, causing illness. 

Also, your customers should know how to wash their hands properly. With that in mind, you can put posters that display visuals with proper handwashing practices. As you know, people should wash their hands with water and soap for a minimum of 20 seconds. Before, during, and after treatments, technicians should also wash their hands properly. 

Every day we touch various things with our hands. Given this, when correct handwashing practice is neglected, the hands pose the greatest health danger. Salon employees must wash their hands frequently during the day, and especially in between clients. It’s also important to keep the hand-washing space clean and disinfected. 

It is essential for nail salon technicians who provide manicures, pedicures, or any other service that includes direct skin-to-skin contact to properly wash the hands and feet of clients before treatment. After cleaning, the feet and hands should be washed again using alcohol-based sanitisers and lint-free nail wipes. Sanitising agents provide further protection not just for clients but also for salon staff.

And for hair salons, stylists should wash their hands:

  • Before and after touching a customer or their surroundings
  • After removing the gloves
  • After being exposed to a bodily substance
  • After receiving payments, etc. 
  1. Cleaning the Workspace

Your workspace is one of the dirtiest places that can spread bacteria and viruses. So, regular cleaning of your workspace is essential for your customer’s and staff’s health. Any frequently touched surfaces, including doorknobs, tables, chairs, etc. should be cleaned with disinfectant wipes daily then be thrown away in a bin. 

One of the main surfaces that should be cleaned regularly is the floor. The latter collects all the daily dirt, including hair, nails, etc. and should be cleaned thoroughly as soon as possible, not only to minimize slips and trips but also to prevent bacteria from spreading. 

When it comes to towel usage, make sure you stick to a one-towel-per-client policy. This will reduce the possibility of germ transmission between clients. Towels and other linens should be washed regularly, as worn towels not only look unattractive but can also contain germs if left damp. Never reuse the towels that are not washed, and wash laundry at a high temperature to kill bacteria and germs. 

Establishing clean workplaces to minimize cross-infection is another significant guideline for promoting excellent hygiene in salons. Cleaning work surfaces not only enforces excellent hygiene but also provides a salon’s overall attractiveness.

Salon owners should purchase industrial-grade cleaning supplies to ensure maximum cleaning effectiveness. Nail salons, hair salons, etc. should utilize professional-grade cleaning chemicals to clean and sanitise work surfaces.

Small particles such as dirt, dust, etc. are removed from work surfaces using disinfection solutions. Spray disinfectants are also recommended to improve air quality. You can clean the overall workspace through disinfection, sterilisation, and sanitation. 

Let’s look at some other hygiene tips for your business: 

  • Provide resources that will help salon employees know the risks of cross-contamination.
  • Avoid coming into contact with an infectious person who can put other customers in danger.
  • Sanitation of treatment and work areas should be conducted regularly.
  • During salon procedures, give clients their own towel, disposable shower cap, headband, gown, etc.
  • When necessary, use personal protective equipment such as disposable gloves, an apron, and a mask during treatments.
  • At all times, use proper trash disposal. 
  • Make sure there is adequate open space in treatment areas for everyone to move around comfortably.

Items Needed in Salons

  • Disinfectant wipes
  • Autoclaves and sterilisers
  • Disposable gloves
  • Antibacterial hand gel
  • Multi-surface cleaning sprays
  • Hand sanitisers
  • Couch rolls
  • Clean towels
  • Hand soap

Now you know the top hygiene practices for your beauty centres, don’t hesitate to contact Hyex to find the right products for your salons!

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