As more and more countries and territories allow for personal care services to reopen the question is; how do I keep my clients, my staff and myself safe?
Although this is the most important question, I will start this article with the question, how do I keep my equipment safe?
Most equipment used in a salon or clinic are manufactured to have the contact areas (applicators) disinfected regularly. However, this does not mean that the whole machine has been designed to be disinfected multiple times a day. Be especially careful over areas with lettering, logos and other printing, alcohol can remove these markings from the body of the machine. It is also possible that a machine has a protective filter or layer applied over the screen. This filter can be damaged by chemicals.
Make contact with your suppliers and ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for disinfecting your equipment.
Remember that alcohol will damage or deteriorate leather surfaces. Better to use a product like bacoban, which offers longer lasting protection. Where possible replace leather furniture with furniture from other materials that can handle regular disinfecting and simply remove any unnecessary objects from the rooms where you will receive clients. The alternative is to cover all leather surfaces with high quality covers that will block all chemicals used for disinfection.
When we look at protection for your clients, staff and yourself; there are loads of resources available on-line from every government. Given that you adhere to all regulations placed on you by your local authority, there are a couple of points I also want to touch on in this article.
Firstly, make the time to take care of yourself. Maintain a health lifestyle that allows your body, mind and spirit to be in the strongest possible position to fight any potential infection. With this comes controlling your environment where possible to ensure you are physically in a safe space.
Pay extra attention to:
• Masks. When possible the first choice is N95 / FFP2, especially for the therapist.
• Wash and disinfect your hands regularly, also remember to use a good quality moisturiser to help your skin to cope.
• Use latex or nitrile gloves in mass. Replace it with a new pair before every client or when ever you suspect that you may have touched something that is contaminated. Provide each client with a pair of gloves when they enter your salon or clinic.
• Avoid public toilets and deter clients from using your toilet facilities. At least keep a separation between facilities for clients and for staff. Make sure the toilet lid is closed before you flash the toilet.
• Ensure good ventilation, taking other safety measures into account. Laser safety still requires an enclosed environment to prevent eye and skin damage to people passing by. Please do not perform laser treatments with open doors and windows.
• Ensure proper extraction of plume and laser generated air contaminants, as it may contain the virus. This is especially relevant for fractional and ablative laser treatments.
Above all remember that you cannot take care of anyone else if you do not first take care of yourself. By ensuring that you stay healthy, you cannot infect a love one.