Student Study Guide
Infection Control
TYPES OF DISINFECTANTS
QUATS- Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
1. Nontoxic, odorless, fast-acting.
Safe and useful disinfectants.
2. Most disinfect in 10 minutes.
3. Long-term exposure may damage fine steel.
4. Complete immersion.
Means enough liquid to cover all surfaces of the
item being disinfected
PHENOLICS- Phenolic disinfectants are powerful tuberculocidal disinfectants
1. A caustic poison
. Safe and effective if used properly.
2. Can damage rubber and plastic.
3. Avoid skin contact.
Have high pH and can cause skin irritation;
concentrated phenols canseriously burn skin and eyes.
C. ALCOHOL
1. Methyl alcohol Methanol—not used in salons.
2. Ethyl alcohol Ethanol—to be effective, must be no less than 70%.
3. Isopropyl alcohol Rubbing alcohol;
must be 99% to be effective. Alcohols are not EPAregistered as disinfectants. They are not permitted for use with implements in states requiring hospitallevel disinfection.
Don’t have to know just information
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical
with formula CH3OH (often abbreviated MeOH). It is the
simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable,
liquid with a distinctive odor that is very similar to but slightly
sweeter than ethanol (drinking alcohol).[3] At room temperature
it is a polar liquid and is used as an antifreeze, solvent, fuel, and
as a denaturant for ethanol. It is also used for producing
biodiesel via transesterification reaction.
D. BLEACH
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Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach)—
effective as a disinfectant in the salon.
Effective as a laundering additive.
Too much bleach can damage some metals and plastics.
To mix bleach solution, add 1 cup to 1 gallon of water (128 ounces).
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E. FUMIGANTS
They contain formaldehyde vapors that may cause cancer in high
concentrations. High risk of developing allergic sensitivity as well.
1. Must be kept in airtight container. It takes 24 hours to kill one fungus.
2. Vapors are poisonous. Also extremely irritating to eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and can cause skin
allergies.
3. Incorrect use violates federal law.
4. Can aggravate lung problems.
F. DISINFECTANT SAFETY
Disinfectants are hazardous if used incorrectly. Some are poisonous if ingested; some cause skin and
eye damage.
1. Wear gloves and safety glasses.
2. Add disinfectant to water. Never add water to disinfectant.
3. Use tongs, gloves, or draining basket. Do this when removing implements from disinfectants.
4. Keep away from children.
5. Don’t pour quats, phenols, etc. over hands. Wash your hands with soap and warm water and dry
thoroughly.
6. Carefully weigh and measure products.
7. Never place in unmarked container.
8. Always follow manufacturer’s directions.
9. Avoid overexposure. Change disinfectant soak solution daily or more often if it becomes
soiled or contaminated
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G. DISINFECT OR DISPOSE
1. Multi-use
Reusable and can be cleaned, disinfected, and used on more than one
person such as nippers, shears, combs, pushers, some files and buffers.
2. Single-use
Disposable items cannot be used more than once (either because they
cannot be properly cleaned or cleaning damages them). Examples are orangewood sticks, cotton balls,
gauze, tissues, paper towels, and some nail files and buffers.
3. Porous
Items made or constructed of an absorbent material. Some can be
cleaned and disinfected. Examples are towels, chamois, some nail files and buffers. NOTE: If a porous
item contacts broken skin, blood, body fluid, or any unhealthy conditions, it must be discarded
immediately. (When in doubt, toss it out!)
V. DISINFECTION PROCEDURES
1. Pre-clean.Remove hair, filings, and other such loose matter by
scrubbing with soap and water.
2. Rinse thoroughly, pat dry.
3. Completely immerse.
4. Remove implements with tongs, basket, or gloves.
5. Rinse thoroughly, air-dry.
6. Store disinfected implements. A clean drawer can be used if it contains
only clean items.
CAUTION: UV sanitizers are useful storage containers, but they
do not disinfect or sterilize. Electric or bead “sterilizers” do not
disinfect or sterilize implements. They can actually spread
potentially infectious diseases and should never be used in salon.
B. LINENS, CAPES
1. Launder and bleach according to label directions.
from soiled towels.
C. WORK SURFACES
Store clean towels separate
Wipe with clean, disposable towel. Clean door knobs
and handles daily.
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D. INDIVIDUAL CLIENT PACKS You may prepare and save individual client
packs with items like nail files and buffers as long as items are cleaned, disinfected, and
dried before being placed in the pack. Do not use bags with an airtight seal.
E. WHIRLPOOL FOOT SPAS Present procedures for disinfecting foot spas
after each client, at the end of each day and weekly. Have students follow along
procedures found on
F. DETERGENTS AND SOAPS Use chelating surfactant soaps or
detergents, which work to sequester debris. These are important for removing residue
from pedicure products like scrubs, salts, and masks.
G. ADDITIVES, POWDERS, TABLETS These cannot be used to replace EPAregistered disinfectant solutions. Be wary of chloramine-T as it is not recognized as
effective in theUnited States.
H. DISPENSARY
1. Keep clean and orderly.
2. Maintain MSDS on all chemicals.
I. HANDLING DISPOSABLES
All single-use items must be disposed of after use. Anything exposed to blood must be
double-bagged and marked with a biohazard sticker and disposed of according to
OSHA standards (separated from other waste and disposed of according to federal,
state, and local regulations).
Puncture-proof containers should be used for disposal of all sharp items.
J. WASHING HANDS
1. Wet hands with warm water.
2. Use liquid soap and scrub hands together Give attention to areas between fingers,
nails and both sides of for 20 seconds. Hands and exposed portions of arms.
3. Rinse well with warm water.
4. Dry with disposable paper towel Do not use cloth towels. or air blower.
K. WATERLESS HAND SANITIZERS Antiseptics are agents formulated for
use on skin. Effective if soap and water is not available. Can ultimately be drying on
skin.
L. UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS OSHA prescribes the use of Universal
Precautions as the approach to infection control. They require the employer and
employee to assume that all human blood and specified human body fluids are
infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens.
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M. BLOOD SPILL DISINFECTION Procedure protects both the client and
the professional.
1. Stop service and clean injured area.
2. Apply gloves. For self-protection.
3. Apply antiseptic and/or liquid or spray styptic. Don’t contaminate container.
4. Bandage cut. Use an adhesive bandage.
5. Clean workstation as needed.
6. Discard contaminated objects. Dispose of all disposable contaminated objects such
as wipes or cotton balls by double bagging. Use biohazard sticker. Deposit sharp
disposables in a box.
7. Disinfect all tools contaminated with By complete immersion in an EPA-registered
disinfectant that kills blood or body fluids. HIV and HBV or in a tuberculocidal
disinfectant.
8. Remove gloves, wash hands. With soap and warm water.
CAUTION: Hand washing is the single most effective
measure for reducing the spread of infectious disease. Be
aware that antibacterial soap may NOT kill more germs
than regular soap and water and can be harmful in that
they leave the skin vulnerable to skin problems such as
Eczema.
VI. THE PROFESSIONAL SALON IMAGE
A. SALON GUIDELINES
1. Keep floors clean. Sweep hair after every client. Mop floors and vacuum carpets
everyday.
2. Keep trash contained. Place in a waste receptacle; covered containers may be
necessary by mandate of your state regulatory agency and to reduce chemical odors
and look more professional.
3. Control dust, hair, and other debris.
4. Clean fans, ventilation systems, and humidifiers at least weekly.
5. Keep all work areas well lit.
6. Keep rest rooms clean. Including door handles.
7. Supply rest rooms. Provide toilet tissue, paper towels, liquid soap, and clean, soft
bristle nail brushes in the restroom.
8. No cooking or sleeping. Do not allow the salon to be used for cooking or living
quarters.
9. Store food separate from products. Never place food in refrigerators used to store
salon products.
10. Prohibit eating, drinking, smoking. In areas where services are performed or where
product mixing occurs
(i.e., back bar area).
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11. Empty waste receptacles. Regularly throughout the day. A metal waste receptacle
with a self closing lid works best.
12. Mark containers. Make sure all containers are properly marked and properly stored.
13. Place tools properly. Never place any tools or implements in your mouth or pockets.
14. Disinfect tools. Properly clean and disinfect all tools after each use.
15. Properly store tools. Store clean and disinfected tools in a clean container or
sanitary manner. Clean drawers may be used for storage if only clean items are stored
in them.
16. Don’t touch face, mouth. Avoid touching your face, mouth, or eye areas during
services.
17. Clean work surfaces. Clean after every client. This includes manicure tables,
esthetic chairs and tables, workstations, and shampoo bowls.
18. Use clean linens on clients. Use disposable towels and linens. Keep soiled linens
separate from clean linens. Use neck strips or towels to avoid skin contact with
shampoo capes and cutting or chemical protection gowns.
19. Use exhaust systems. Replace the air in the salon with fresh air at least four times
every hour.
This will ensure proper air quality in the salon.
B. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
1. Protect client’s safety. Learn the state rules regarding sanitation and client safety.
2. Never take shortcuts in sanitation or disinfection.
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