Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/86330
1. HAND WASHING You've heard it a million times—for good reason. Hand washing is the single most important thing anyone can do to reduce the risk of transmitting pathogens. You should be washing your hands between clients, before Wet Soap and after eating, and before and after using the restroom. Effective hand washing involves warm (not hot) water, lots of soap suds (friction), and 30 seconds of your time. When hand-washing facilities are not available or practical, hand sanitizers can be used. However, keep in mind that most hand sanitizers are alcohol- based, which can be very drying to the skin. When skin is dry, it becomes more prone to microscopic openings that make a nice place for pathogens to set up shop. Wash 30 seconds 2. SANITATION Sanitation simply means cleaning. This is the process that removes visible debris, but does not destroy any pathogens. Examples of this would be using soap and water, or a chemical cleaner, to remove visible dirt and oil from an item or surface. This step is required prior to disinfection for any instruments used in your practice. Rinse 3. DISINFECTION Disinfection is a chemical process that, when correctly performed, will destroy most pathogens that would be of concern in an esthetician's practice. As stated above, items must be cleaned prior to disinfection. It is important to follow the instructions on whatever disinfectant you choose, particularly as they relate to the amount or concentration of the product that should be used and when to change the solution. The most important concept in disinfection is contact time. Dry This is the amount of time that the disinfectant must be in contact with an item or surface to be effective. Just a dip won't do! Most products require 10 minutes of immersion or moist contact to effectively destroy the most dangerous pathogens. 4. STERILIZATION The process of using heat and pressure in an autoclave to completely destroy all microbial life is mainly used by estheticians as a matter of their own personal standards, rather than being required by law. However, a few states do require this for specific instruments. The rules in those states are clear about requiring the additional step of cleaning prior to sterilization. If you use an autoclave, it is extremely important to test its functionality according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule. An autoclave that is not functioning properly can quickly become an incubator for growing bacteria, instead of a method of destroying them. The threat from mutating bacteria and easily spread viruses will only continue to grow. With a very mobile population, and antibiotic resistance growing daily in developed nations, we all must understand the risks and take precautions in our own lives, our own homes, and our places of business. Following the simple steps of infection control and the regulations that govern estheticians are your best bet to keep yourself, your clients, and your business safe. Hand washing is the single most important thing anyone can do to reduce the risk of transmitting pathogens. Leslie Roste has degrees in nursing and microbiology and is currently employed by King Research in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She speaks to various industry groups throughout the country and also works with textbook manufacturers as an editor for infection control material. Contact her at lroste@king-research.com. Get connected to your peers @ www.skincareprofessionals.com 25