Magazine for the professional nail industry.
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Honing Your Skills J etted footbaths must b carefully cleaned and s be disinfected according to the manufacturerÕs instructions and state board regulations. If not thoroughly cleaned, a biofilm can build up, creating a breeding ground for dangerous bacterial colonies. A log of the cleanings must be kept. If you are unsure how to disassemble the parts in your footbath, consult your ownerÕs manual. P ill time is the requiredexposure time for a disinfectant or sterilizer to work effectively. K athogens may cause disease. The existence of bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV, demands that any implement that comes in contact with a break in the skin be promptly cleaned or disposed of safely. OSHA-compliant biohazard spill kits are available through medical, office, and cosmetology suppliers and come complete with a nifty red biohazard bag. L Q aws are created at the federal, state, and local level to direct how we approach sanitation in the salon. States maintain a body of regulations aimed at protecting public safety; OSHA is mainly charged with workplace safety; and public health agencies may regulate yet other areas of our salon life. Get involved with industry issues, visit regulatory web sites, and join mailing lists to stay up to date on changes that may affect how you do business. uaternary ammonium solution (Quats) is a popular method of salon immersion disinfection. Remember that soiled items must be pre-cleaned before placing in the solution for the required time. Quats solution must be fresh, so change it according to the manufacturerÕs directions. R eusable items, such as towels, files, and implements, must be sanitized or disinfected according to state board guidelines before being used on another client. M . Fortuitum is a mycobacterium found in the environment. In recent years it has been blamed in concert with poorly cleaned footbaths for serious skin and soft-tissue infections after visits to nail salons. N ail professionals are the best people to educate the public about salon standards. Go ahead, invite clients into the back room to see your procedures and answer questions. Show your clients what to look for in a healthy salon and you wonÕt ever lose their business to a non-standard nail salon. O pportunistic pathogens are always looking for a place to set up house! In addition to keeping everything spar sparkling clean, maintaining nail health can keep out infectio invaders. A light touch, proper abrasives, and infectious el electric file training may enhance your nail skills and inf infection prevention efforts. Ditto, nixing clientsÕ ba bad habits, like cuticle or nail picking. 62 | 2013 NAILS CAREER HANDBOOK S anitize vs. sterilize. Sanitizing reduces the number of disease-causing pathogens on a surface. Sterilization kills all living organisms. T hrow away any implements promptly that canÕt be sterilized or disinfected appropriately. U ltra-violet light may be used for sanitation and disinfection in some states (check yours). The major drawback is that the ultraviolet light can only destroy pathogens it can reach, leaving portions (hinges, undersides, etc.) of implements untreated.