The world is restarting again after the pandemic. Salons, spas, and wellness centers are all returning to their original schedules. But are you still skeptical about opening your salon again? Or are you wondering if it will be safe for everyone? Or will salon disinfection and sterilization will be enough to ensure safety?Â
It is quite understandable to have all these concerns! Covid-19 has given us a new definition of disinfection and prevention. We are especially diligent about cleaning our hands and other items before coming into touch with them.
But with the restarting of the economy, the government is putting in place measures to protect us. Like every other place, the beauty industry also has a set of rules that they have to set in place before reopening their business. The goal is to make sure that we follow all protocols to keep clients safe.
To allay your concerns, let’s have a look at what measures and precautions you as salon owners or employees should take to ensure everyone’s safety.
Post-Pandemic Salon Disinfectants & Sterilization
Sanitization & Disinfection
Before getting started with sanitization and disinfection, it’s necessary to understand how these two terms differ. Without going into too much detail, let’s examine these brief definitions.
Sanitization: When we sanitize an area or even our hands, we are removing germs and dirt from the surface. Sanitization helps in lowering the number of germs from any surface. The fundamental difference between sanitization and disinfection is that sanitization does not destroy germs.
Disinfection: It is the process by which we kill germs from any surface. Normally for disinfection, we use chemicals. Common disinfectants that we use are 70% alcohol, oxygen bleach, etc.
What are Salons doing Post-Pandemic?
Salons and spas take a variety of precautions to ensure their customers’ safety. Following is a list of post-pandemic steps that the majority of salons are taking:
Wash your Hands
If you work in a salon, it is critical to wash your hands after each customer to protect everyone’s safety. Wash your hands and air dry or wipe with a cloth towel.
If you are someone who does not want to wash your clothes, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. But take care your hands should be free of dirt, soil, or any other visible markings.
Whenever your client arrives, sanitize or ask them to wash their hands. This will help to ensure transfer of any pathogen is diminished or stopped. You can install a sanitizer at your entrance.
Keep all your Appliances Clean
You know if you have a salon or spa, that many appliances are integral to your business. The challenge is to keep all your cosmetic tools and appliances clean.
To make sure all your appliances are clean, disinfect them before every client appointment.
I’ve jotted down what measures you should take after a pandemic to make your disinfection procedure easier.
- Be certain to remove all visible dirt and other particles from your cosmetic tools.
- After cleaning them, you can wash all your tools with soap and water or any other cleaning agents. Cleaning with soap doesn’t include all your appliances. For appliances like hairdryers, there are other ways. A dirty hairdryer can be dangerous. You may not know it, but a buildup of hair and dust in the hairdryer vents might obstruct the air flowing from the dryer. This might increase internal temperature, raising the likelihood of a hazardous occurrence. In times after a pandemic, this can be harmful, so keep your dryers and blowers clean.
- The other items that you are cleaning should be air-dried or wiped with a cotton cloth.
- To make things easy, label all your containers containing creams, gels, and other materials. This will make you not scatter everything and know the exact location of different items.
- Every salon and spa has lots of towels for various reasons. Before and after every client appointment you should sterilize each used towel. The best way to wash your towels is by separating them by colors and types. Try to avoid products containing whiteners. They fade the original color along with bleaching them. Try to maintain the washing and cleaning process stated by the manufacturer.
- Always keep high contact areas sanitized and disinfected. The high contact areas are tabletop, doorknobs, keypads, door handles, washbasin, etc.
In Case of Accidents
- To be safer during post-pandemic, if you get any cut, abrasions, or another injury seek medical help. Try to wear gloves when doing any salon activity.
- When working with a client on skin treatments, or hair styling, discard the cotton and other one-time used tools in disposable packets.
- Immediately remove any appliance that has come into contact with blood. After a thorough cleaning and disinfection, the appliance may be used again.
- For every customer, use different disposable capes. This ensures that one cape does not come into contact with other customers.
Salon Disinfection & Sterilization Process
The article up to this point has given you an overview of how salons and spas are adapting post-pandemic. The steps will also help salon owners who are yet to re-open their businesses.
But, if we dig a little deeper, there are five basic types of sterilization and disinfection processes:
- Using moist heat- You may accomplish this by boiling 100 degrees water and cleaning your appliances in it. The other method is to steam in an airtight chamber.
- By using dry heat- To sterilize a few tools it is mandatory to have either an autoclave or a US FDA in salons.
- Through using UV rays (Not as dangerous as the name looks like!)- Don’t let the name fool you into thinking they’re pricey. They come in pretty handy and are affordable. Using UV for sterilization is one of the most effective modes of sterilization. UV-C rays are more effective than UV-A & UV-B.
- Fumigation- Fumigation is largely utilized in the business sector. It involves spraying fumigants in a gaseous condition at a specified temperature.
- Antiseptics and Disinfectants- These are chemical agents that are mostly used to treat wounds and injuries. An antiseptic kills microorganisms on the skin. They are often used as the first action of the decontamination process. There are numerous antiseptics and disinfectants on the market.
Online Appointments
Another thing which has gained popularity is booking appointments for your beauty services. Yes! I heard you; it was previously common too. However, it is becoming increasingly frequent post-pandemic.
Salons and spas are taking appointments to maintain safety and to avoid overcrowding. Salons can prepare and sanitize for each customer with unique choices.
Wrapping up
There are so many other things that are being taken care of by salons and spas post-pandemic. With various government rules in place, businesses are opening up keeping in mind the safety of all.
Salons and spas need to be extra cautious because they are handling different services involving various people. With all the precautions mentioned, salons and spas can ensure a safe service to all their clients.
If you are planning to take the cosmetology exam or know someone who is interested in becoming a cosmetologist, make sure to try out our free practice test to help you with the exam preparation process.
Stay safe and maintain social distancing!
