Sanitation, Disinfection, and Safety
Four levels, four meanings
Cleaning removes visible debris with soap and water. Sanitizing reduces bacteria to a safe level. Disinfection destroys most pathogens on nonporous surfaces and requires an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant, ideally with a tuberculocidal claim. Sterilization destroys all microorganisms and is done in an autoclave, not by wiping. Most esthetic tools need cleaning then disinfection - not sterilization.
Procedure
Wash hands before and after every client. After use, scrub implements with soap and water, dry them, then fully immerse in disinfectant for the label's contact time (often 10 minutes) in a covered container; do not shorten the time or wipe disinfectant off early. Single-use items - cotton, spatulas, applicators, wax strips, gloves, mascara wands - go in the trash after one use. Launder towels and linens for each client; keep clean and soiled items separated.
Blood and chemical safety
Wear gloves for any blood or body-fluid contact, clean and disinfect the area, and dispose of contaminated materials properly. Read the SDS for every product, store chemicals per label, never mix them, and keep them away from heat and clients.
Traps and a worked example
Questions blur sanitize with disinfect and treat UV cabinets as sterilization. Worked example - tweezers used on a client: wash with soap and water, dry, immerse fully in hospital-grade disinfectant for the full label time, rinse if directed, and store covered.