Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety
The three levels of control
Nearly every sanitation question resolves to one ladder: cleaning (soap and water, removes visible debris), disinfection (kills most microorganisms on nonporous surfaces but not spores), and sterilization (destroys all microbial life, including spores). Estheticians work almost entirely at the disinfection level, using an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant with a tuberculocidal claim, mixed at the label dilution and left wet for the full contact time. UV cabinets and so-called dry sanitizers are storage, not disinfection - a classic trap.
Pathogens to name
Bacteria: cocci (round), bacilli (rod), spirilla (spiral); staphylococci and streptococci cause the skin infections you will actually see. Viruses (hepatitis B and C, HIV, herpes simplex) do not respond to antibiotics and are the reason for universal precautions. Fungi cause tinea and onychomycosis; parasites include pediculosis and scabies. Distinguish antiseptics (used on skin) from disinfectants (used on surfaces and implements).
OSHA and blood exposure
Assume every client's blood and body fluids are infectious. Wear gloves for extractions and for waxing compromised skin, never return a used wax stick to the pot, use single-use items once (sticks, spatulas, cotton, gloves, linens), and place porous items in a closed hamper. For a blood spill: gloves on, absorb, clean, then disinfect with the labeled product.
Worked rule: if an implement cannot be fully immersed, it cannot be truly disinfected - either wipe it with the same hospital-grade product and let it air-dry for the full label contact time, or replace it with a single-use version.
Watch for: 'disinfectant kills spores,' 'UV kills everything,' and the assumption that alcohol wipes substitute for a labeled surface disinfectant.