Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety Practices
The chain of infection control
Infection control in the salon is a sequence: clean, disinfect, store. Cleaning removes visible debris and organic matter. Disinfection destroys most pathogens on nonporous surfaces. Sterilization destroys all microorganisms, including spores, and is rarely the salon standard. Use an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant with a tuberculocidal claim for items contaminated with blood or body fluids, and follow the label contact time.
Every-client practice
Wash hands before and after each client; wear gloves when blood or body fluids may be present. Use single-use files, buffers, wooden sticks, cotton, and pedicure liners; never double-dip. Porous items that cannot be cleaned and disinfected must be discarded. Nonporous implements such as metal pushers, nippers, clippers, and metal files must be cleaned with soap and water, dried, then fully immersed in disinfectant. Keep clean and dirty items separate. Foot spas require cleaning and disinfection of the tub, screen, and jets after every client because biofilm and mycobacteria are the classic hazard.
Traps
Questions blur sanitize and disinfect, or imply a UV lamp sterilizes. Alcohol and bleach wipes are not automatically hospital disinfectants. Disinfecting a dirty tool fails because organic matter protects pathogens. Know the exposure response: stop, wash, report, and follow the post-exposure plan.
Rule of thumb: if an item touches a client and cannot be disinfected, it is single-use.
Worked example: a metal nipper is rinsed, sprayed, and reused ten minutes later. That is wrong; it must be cleaned, dried, and immersed for the labeled contact time.