Infection Control Procedures
HIV / AIDS

Cosmetology derives from the Greek word kosmetikos, meaning “beautifying”. What will never change is the need to perform cosmetology services in a safe, and sanitary manner.

Infection Control Procedures and OUR part as Cosmetologists.

Cosmetology derives from the Greek word kosmetikos, meaning “beautifying”. It is the study and application of beauty treatment. History tells us that beauty and the desire to be esthetically pleasing, has always been a goal of humans.

Mesopotamian Civilization offers evidence of makeup from portraits and cravings of kings and priests. Hieroglyphics and paintings prove noble Egyptians used enhancements for their eyes and lips. Greeks took pride in manicures, baths, spas, and hair dress. Roman baths were combined with massage and heat. In the far east the Chinese used powder to whiten their skin while people in Japan idolized a dark mouth, so they used soot and ash to black out their teeth. They also loved silky waist length hair. Mesoamerican cultures used cacao beans to create makeup while the elite among them bathed daily and adorned natural long hair. The Middle Ages found women using and dying from powdered white lead and arsenic in their attempt to seek a forbidden makeup routine. The Renaissance era modernized cosmetology. Grooming was important to both men and women. Women of the Victorian Age found themselves pinching their cheeks and biting their lips to add color to face.

In the 20th Century the movie industry cemented its fate as a major influencer for the cosmetology and beauty industries. Women yearned for a flawless complexion, beautiful hair, and manicured nails. Today, hairstylists are more like artisans, estheticians are in high demand and nail technicians are performing services that are one step away from magic!

Hair styles, eyebrow thickness, lipstick and eyeshadow colors and nail enhancement techniques are forever changing. What will never change is the need to perform cosmetology services in a safe, and sanitary manner. Pathogens that cause diseases can be blood-borne, air-borne, or both, transmitted through unsanitary means. We know that some diseases are more detrimental than others.

Infection control is a practice critical to reduce the transmission of infection from one person to another and is key in healthcare settings as well as salon and spa environments.

INFECTION CONTROL includes various measures that prevent and contain the spread of infectious diseases. Some of the most important elements of infection control ensuring the safest experience in the beauty and wellness sector are hand washing, following infection control standards, procedures for decontamination of persons, disinfection of equipment and implements and the practice of quarantine if necessary.

Due to the AIDS outbreak in the 1980’s the CDC formally introduced Universal Precautions. It refers to the practice of avoiding contact with an individual’s bodily fluids.

For the purpose of Infection Control, HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, and any other communicable disease should be treated the same. Following the premise of Universal Precaution can be a good place to start. They are steps taken by medical professionals and adopted by beauty and wellness professionals used to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV and other infectious disease. The general premise is, treat any blood or bodily fluid as though it contains HIV, Hepatitis, or any other infectious agent. Universal Precaution assumes that all bodily fluids are dangerous. This attitude offers the professional protection and benefits their clients by applying the same procedures to everyone.

To prevent the spread and exposure of pathogens it is the responsibility of the beauty professional to incorporate and adhere to good infection control practices. Per CHAPTER 61G5-20.002 Salon Requirements, the following actions must be adhered too to comply with the Florida Cosmetology Board. Each salon shall comply with the following:

  • Linens: Each salon shall keep clean linens in a closed, dustproof cabinet. All soiled linens must be kept in a closed receptacle. Soiled linens may be kept in open containers if entirely separated from the area in which cosmetology services are rendered to the public. A sanitary towel or neck strip shall be placed around the patron’s neck to avoid direct contact of the shampoo cape with a patron’s skin.

  • Containers: Salons must use containers for waving lotions and other preparations of such type as will prevent contamination of the unused portion. All creams shall be removed from containers by spatulas.

  • Disinfection: The use of a brush, comb, or other article on more than one patron without being disinfected is prohibited. Each salon is required to have sufficient combs, brushes, and implements to allow for adequate disinfecting practices. Combs or other instruments shall not be carried in pockets.

  • Disinfectants: All salons shall be equipped with and utilize disinfecting solutions with hospital level disinfectant or EPA approved disinfectant, sufficient to allow for disinfecting practices.

  • A wet disinfection container is any receptacle containing a disinfectant solution and large enough to allow for a complete immersion of the articles. A cover shall be provided.

Disinfecting methods which are effective and approved for salons: First, clean articles with soap and water, completely immerse in a chemical solution that is hospital level or EPA approved disinfectant as follows:

  • Combs, and brushes, remove hair first and immerse in hospital level or EPA approved disinfectant.
    Metallic instruments immerse in hospital level for EPA approved disinfectant.

  • Instruments with cutting edge, wipe with a hospital level or EPA approved disinfectant; or

  • Implements may be immersed in a hospital level or EPA approved disinfectant solution.

  • Shampoo bowls, facial beds, and neck rests, clean and disinfect between each use.

For purposes of this rule, a “hospital level disinfectant or EPA approved disinfectant” shall mean the following:

#1 - For all combs, brushes, metallic instruments, instruments with a cutting edge, and implements THAT HAVE NOT come into contact with blood or body fluids, a disinfectant that indicates on its label that it has been registered with the EPA as a hospital grade bacterial, virucidal and fungicidal disinfectant.

#2 - For all combs, brushes, metallic instruments with a cutting edge, and implements THAT HAVE come into contact with blood or body fluids, a disinfectant that indicates on its label that it has been registered with the EPA as a disinfectant.

#3 - All disinfectants shall be mixed and used according to the manufacturer’s directions.

#4 - After cleaning and disinfecting, articles shall be stored in a clean, closed cabinet or container until used. Undisinfected articles such as pens, pencils, money, paper, mail, etc., shall not be kept in the same container or cabinet. For the purpose of recharging, rechargeable clippers may be stored in an area other than in a closed cabinet or container, provided such area is clean and provided the cutting edges of such clippers have been disinfected.

#5 - Ultraviolet Irradiation may be used to store articles and instruments after they have been cleansed and disinfected.

PLEASE NOTE: STAY CURRENT strongly urges you to visit:
Printable Cosmetology Lawbook (myfloridalicense.com) for the complete list of rules and regulations regarding your Florida Cosmetology License/Specialty Registration and review it often.

ALWAYS REMEMBER:
BASIC DISINFECTANT PROCEDURE

  • Clean with soap and water (removing all debris).

  • Rinse and dry with clean towel or paper towel.

  • Completely immerse in hospital level or EPA approved disinfectant for 10 minutes or required time of manufacturer.

  • Remove items from wet disinfection container with tongs, basket, or gloved hands.

  • Rinse and dry.

  • Store in clean, closed cabinet or container.

THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS FOR INFECTION CONTROL!!

Section Summary / Infection Control

The goal, and desire to individual health is a strong and robust immune system and though a healthy immune system offers defense against harmful pathogens; HIV/AIDS has proven to be a devasting and destructive opponent. Due to its invasive and mutative capabilities to the bodies T-Cells.

HIV/AIDS is a two- stage disease. Though in its debut the final stage was the first stage identified and feared. Through vigorous scientific and medical research HIV was recognized as the precursor to the deadly disease proving that greater efforts and attention was mandatory to attack the devastating and destructive abilities of the virus.

Although the transmission of the disease is still the same awareness, education, preventative measures, testing, medications, and on-going research has and will continue to reduce its affect and the number of infections.

As a professional in the beauty and wellness industry you have a duty to protect your client, yourself, and the profession by creating a safe and clean environment and experience for your clients. By practicing proper infection control protocols and adopting a Universal Precaution attitude, your clients will always be in good hands.
REMEMBER - There are no short cuts for infection control.

THIS COMPLETES ALL COURSE MATERIAL FOR THE HIV/AIDS 4 CREDIT HOUR COURSE. YOU ARE NOW READY TO TAKE THE EXAM!

WORKS CITED:

“Ryan White | American AIDS Victim | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Ryan-White.

Rogers, Kara. “AIDS | Definition, Diagnosis, Treatment, & Facts.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/science/AIDS.

“HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets | HIVinfo.” Hivinfo.nih.gov, hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets.

WHO. “HIV/AIDS.” WHO, 30 Nov. 2021, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids.

‌Mayo Clinic. “HIV/AIDS - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/symptoms-causes/syc-20373524.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About HIV/AIDS.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 1 June 2021, www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Ways HIV Can Be Transmitted | HIV Transmission | HIV Basics | HIV/AIDS | CDC.” Www.cdc.gov, 3 Nov. 2020, www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-transmission/ways-people-get-hiv.html.

‌HIV Basics. 2019, www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/.“The History of HIV.” Verywell Health, www.verywellhealth.com/hiv-aids-history-4014461.

Infection Control Procedures
HIV / AIDS

4 HOUR CONTINUING EDUCATION