Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety Practices
Levels of control
Infection-control questions test whether you can sort a task into the right level of control - and whether you know what each level actually destroys.
- Sanitation reduces microorganisms to a safe level on surfaces and linens (detergent and water). It does not reliably kill pathogens.
- Disinfection destroys most pathogenic organisms but not bacterial spores. A hospital-grade, tuberculocidal disinfectant is the salon standard for implements that touch skin.
- Sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores (autoclave: about 15 psi, 250°F/121°C, 15–30 minutes).
Match the item to the level: anything that contacts skin and can nick or abrade it (metal extractors, tweezers, comedone tools) is cleaned, then disinfected or sterilized. Porous single-use items (sponges, cotton, wooden sticks, lancets) are discarded, never reused.
Traps: quaternary ammonium compounds are low-level and do not kill spores or tubercle bacilli; disinfectants must be mixed at the labeled dilution and changed when cloudy, dirty, or at the labeled interval - not on a habit; implements must be fully immersed for the full contact time (often 10 minutes); a UV towel cabinet sanitizes, it does not disinfect.
Universal precautions treat all blood and body fluids as infectious. Wash hands about 20 seconds, wear gloves for extractions or any risk of blood contact, and disinfect surfaces before and after each client. Blood spill: gloves, absorb, clean, then 1:10 bleach or an approved tuberculocidal.
Rule of thumb: touches skin = disinfect; breaks skin = sterilize; can't be cleaned = throw away.