Infection Control and Safety
What this domain tests
Infection control and safety questions ask you to apply the chain of infection to a salon service: identify the source, route, and the step that breaks transmission. Safety items cover chemical handling, glove use, tool processing, and emergency response.
Core rules
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after every client, after restroom use, and after glove removal. Hand sanitizer does not replace washing when hands are visibly soiled.
- Wear gloves for blood or body-fluid contact and whenever broken skin or a non-intact barrier exists; change gloves between clients.
- Clean nonporous implements with detergent and water, rinse, dry, then disinfect with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant using the label contact time.
- Sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores; disinfection destroys most pathogens but not necessarily spores. Estheticians generally disinfect implements; autoclave only items rated for it.
- Discard porous single-use items such as cotton, wooden sticks, paper towels, and files after use, and discard any item contaminated with blood.
- Keep dirty and clean tools separate and labeled; follow SDS directions for chemical storage and spills.
Worked example
A metal extractor falls on the floor. Do not wipe it with alcohol and reuse it. With gloved hands, place it in a dirty container, remove debris, clean with detergent, rinse, then soak in an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant for the full label contact time. Wash hands and use a disinfected replacement. Alcohol is not a hospital-grade disinfectant and evaporates before a reliable contact time.
Traps
Calling sanitizing sterilization; disinfecting a tool still coated with oil or skin debris; skipping contact time; reusing porous items; touching a clean tool with contaminated gloves.