Brushes and Combs: The combs a stylist uses on your hair should
be cleaned and stored in the sanitizer jar mentioned above. However, most brushes are too large to be easily stored in this manner.
Brushes therefore should be cleaned completely, sanitized, and stored in a clean, dry location until needed for use on a client.
Never let a stylist use a brush on your head that has hairs from previous use trapped in its teeth. Bacteria and parasitic
infections such as lice can be transmitted from client to client by unclean brushes. Even natural bristle brushes are to be
cleaned thoroughly with detergent and hot water, and dried completely before being reused on a new client. Capes and Drapes: While the cape used by a stylist to keep the hair off
of you can be reused repeatedly without washing between clients, the stylist is required to use a towel or paper collar around your
neck to prevent the cape from coming into direct contact with your skin. If the stylist doesn’t use something as a buffer between
you and the neck of the cape, you can safely assume that he or she didn’t use one with the last client either. Towels: Any towel a stylist uses on you should be clean and freshly
laundered. If you don’t see the stylist get a clean towel for you, be sure to ask for one, or if you prefer, simply call an end to
the appointment and report the situation to the salon manager. Nail Stations: The implements used at a nail station should be cleaned
and stored in a sanitizer jar the same as combs and implements at a hair station. If the liquid in the jar appears cloudy or dirty,
then the implements inside are not clean. Foot Spas: These large whirlpool tubs for soaking the feet prior to
pedicures must be emptied and cleaned out after every client. You should watch carefully to make sure that this is done, and never
put your feet into a foot spa you aren’t sure has been cleaned and freshly filled before you use it. Improper cleaning procedures
and use of foot spas has resulted in the spread of serious infections in many clients. Nail Supplies: Some of the supplies used in manicures and pedicures are
disposable and must be replaced for each new client. Emery boards, cotton pads and orangewood sticks are all items that cannot be
used from one client to the next. Make sure you see the nail technician retrieve new supplies to use on you.
Other Health and Safety Issues:
Our society places a great deal of emphasis on beauty and youth, and looking young and
beautiful can be an expensive process as we struggle against the natural process of aging. Because of this, we are often tempted to
look for the most convenient and inexpensive sources for beauty and age-fighting procedures.
Today, many spas and salons have begun to offer
procedures like chemical peels, microdermabrasion and botox injections as
part of their services. Don't confuse these spas with medical spas that do
dangerous procedures like tumescent liposuction. You should always be aware of the qualifications of anyone
performing these procedures. In the U.S., these procedures (specifically chemical peels and botox injections) must be performed
only by trained and qualified medical personnel. In other countries, the laws may differ, but be aware that there are unscrupulous
individuals who have taken advantage of people looking to save money on these procedures. The results in some of these cases have
been disfigurement, infection and permanent damage.
You should also be wary if a practitioner ever promises you that a procedure is totally
safe. No matter how many times a procedure has been performed or how safe they have been in the past, there is always a risk
involved. In addition, if the practitioner guarantees “ideal” results, you should be very skeptical. The best response to a
practitioner who is making insistent assurances of safety or guarantees of remarkable results is to get up and leave. One of
two things will be happening: Either the practitioner is trying to convince you so that you’ll have the procedure and he can
make the fee, or he is not being realistic and may be lax in the level of care you receive during the procedure.
