6. PERSONAL HYGIENE AND HANDWASHING PROTOCOLS

 

a. Personal hygiene matters !

Personal hygiene is one of the most important aspects of infection control. Hairdressers come into direct contact with client’s skin, hair, and clothing, making hygiene practices essential for preventing the transmission of harmful pathogens. Personal hygiene also plays a direct role in creating a good impression of both you and the salon, and thus results in clients feeling comfortable and safe.

KEY POINTS :

• Hairdressers should maintain clean, neat clothing and avoid touching their hair or face during a service to minimize contamination.
• Regular bathing, maintaining clean nails, and using deodorants or body sprays are essential for personal cleanliness.
• Hairdressers should avoid wearing strong perfumes, which can trigger allergies or sensitivities in clients.

 

b.The importance of hand hygiene

Hands are one of the most common ways that infections are transmitted, making hand hygiene one of the most important aspects of infection control in the salon.

KEY MOMENTS :

Following the 5 moments for hand hygiene approach, as recommended by the World Health Organization, hairdressers should wash their hands :

• Before client contact : Wash hands before starting any service to ensure that you do not transfer germs or bacteria from previous clients or surfaces.
• Before performing any procedure : If you’re going to be touching the client’s scalp, face, or body, hands must be clean.
• After handling contaminated items : This includes touching dirty towels, used combs, or razors.
•  After client contact : Wash your hands after performing any service on the client.
•  After touching surfaces or equipment : Any tool, chair, or surface that may have been contaminated should prompt a handwashing.

 

REMEMBER

Handwashing reduces the risk of spreading infectious agents between clients, tools, and the salon environment.

 

c. Proper handwashing technique

Handwashing is a simple, but highly effective way to reduce the spread of infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide clear guidelines on how to properly wash hands to ensure effectiveness.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR PROPER HANDWASHING :

1-Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

 

 

 

2- Lather your hands by rubbing them together. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

3- Scrub for at least 20 seconds: This is the key to ensuring that germs are removed. You can hum the “Happy Birthday” song, from beginning to end, twice to time yourself.

 

 

 

4- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

 

 

5- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them. Avoid using your hands to turn off the tap—use a paper towel if necessary.

 

 

 

 

d. Proper use of hand sanitizers

 

Hand sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs, but they are an excellent alternative when soap and water are not readily available. They can quickly reduce the number of germs on the hands but are not as effective as handwashing when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.

TYPES OF HAND SANITIZERS

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (containing at least 60% alcohol) are the most effective at killing most germs. However, they may not kill all types of germs, especially if hands are very dirty.
• Non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers : These are less common but may be appropriate in some situations. They often rely on other chemical agents to kill germs but may not be as effective as alcohol-based ones.

 

HOW TO USE HAND SANITIZER

 

1-Apply the recommended amount of sanitizer to the palm of one hand.

2- Rub the sanitizer over the front and back of your hands and between your fingers, making sure you cover all surfaces.

3- Continue rubbing your hands together until they are dry. Do not wipe them off with a towel.

 

LIMITATIONS OF HAND SANITIZERS :

• Hand sanitizers are not effective at removing visible dirt, grease, or chemicals from the skin. When hands are visibly soiled, handwashing is recommended.
• Always ensure that hand sanitizer is used after touching surfaces that could be contaminated, but never substitute it for proper handwashing when necessary.