Bacteria, viruses, and fungi are not to be taken lightly. Fortunately, awareness of general sanitary safety principles is widespread, and most business owners in industries where there is any potential risk understand the responsibility that rests on their shoulders. Among the critical places for hygiene, right after hospitals, clinics, and medical practices, are beauty salons and nail salons.
Sanitary Risks in Nail Salons
While manicure services are not as invasive as surgeries or medical procedures, they still require significant sanitary precautions. The sharp tools used to remove dead skin, trim and file nails (which are keratinised tissue) can cause cuts. This opens the door to potential infections from bacteria, viruses, and spores. In fact, it doesn't always take tissue damage for health issues to arise. Nails and hands are particularly susceptible to fungal infections. It is crucial to do everything possible to protect clients from such infections and to prevent the transmission of fungi via cosmetic tools between clients. Nail salon staff are also at risk. Protection is necessary not only against cuts from potentially contaminated tools but also against inhaling dust produced during filing (which may also contain harmful microorganisms), as well as airborne viruses like the coronavirus.
Disinfection of Cosmetic Tools, Including Manicure Tools
A significant portion of manicure services is performed with disposable tools that are discarded after use. However, some tools cannot be replaced with disposable equivalents. Every reusable tool and accessory used in a beauty salon, even if it does not directly touch the nails or skin, must be thoroughly cleaned with detergent and disinfected. An ultrasonic cleaner with an appropriate cleaning and disinfecting solution is ideal for this purpose.
Cosmetic tools should be completely submerged in the solution within the cleaner for a specified time (for Instruments DR solution, between 5 and 15 minutes). Afterward, they should be rinsed with water, preferably demineralised, and left to dry and be maintained. Tools prepared in this way are ready for the next step, which is sterilisation.
If the tool's use involves (or may involve) breaking the skin, sterilisation is also necessary. This should be performed according to proper procedures, using a device that meets the standards and certified materials. Only such a process guarantees complete neutralisation of microorganisms and spores.
Disinfection of Nail Drills and Other Equipment in Beauty Salons
A nail drill is standard equipment in most nail salons. Reusable drill bits must undergo the same cleaning and disinfection procedures as manicure tools, with particular care given to the cleaning process that precedes disinfection. An inadequately cleaned bit is not only dangerous as a "reservoir" of viruses, bacteria, and fungi, but it is also much less effective during the next use.
Disinfecting the device itself, including the control panel, buttons, casing, and moving parts, is also essential. A modern disinfectant with high material compatibility, meaning it is safe for surfaces made from various materials, is ideal for this purpose.
Does a UV Nail Lamp Disinfect and Sterilise?
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is divided into three types: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. These types differ in wavelength and effect. UV-C radiation can indeed destroy all living organisms and is very dangerous to humans. UV-C lamps, used to neutralise bacteria and viruses, are found in medical practices, where they are turned on in the absence of patients and staff. UV-C radiation, generated by an emitter within the device, is also used in air decontamination units.
However, UV lamps commonly used to cure UV gel polish emit UV-A radiation. While not harmless to the human body in large doses, UV-A radiation does not help in the daily fight against bacteria and viruses. It is also important to remember that even UV-C radiation disinfection with a professional medical lamp cannot replace the standard processes of cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilising manicure tools.
