Doug Schoon Provides Facts on Nail Salon Autoclaving, Cleaning & Disinfection in Response to Anderson Live Investigative Report Hidden Dangers: Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Nail Salon How do you sanitize, disinfect or sterilize your instruments? Doug Schoon: "For the most part, I agree with this article, but in my opinion, it is not correct to suggest that cleaning and disinfection is not enough for salons. Nor is it proper to suggest that salons that properly clean and disinfect aren’t protecting clients. Both of these are false statements that are not supported by the facts. Some point out that hospitals use autoclaves to sterilize, but those making these statements fail to recognize that hospitals rely MAINLY on “disinfection”. Why? Because it is proven to be highly effective. Even bed pans are disinfected. Only a few types of hospital tools/devices are sterilized, e.g. those use to open the body cavity for surgical procedures. Disinfection is extremely important for salons, and it is improper to suggest that cleaning and disinfection are not sufficient. The US EPA has specifically recognized that disinfection of salon implements is highly effective. The EPA requires all salon disinfectants to submit to independent scientific testing to prove they work as expected, when used as directed. There are two main problems with autoclaves 1. Most things in the salon cannot be put into an autoclave. Plastic items would be destroyed and a pedicure basin will never fit inside. Also, you can’t treat door knobs or table tops, etc. unless a disinfectant is used. Therefore ALL salons are required to properly clean and disinfect. Salons can’t escape their responsibility to clean and disinfect. Because of this, NO salon should ever suggest that cleaning and disinfection is not adequate! 2. Most people whom I’ve talked with that use an autoclave don’t use them correctly and are putting clients at risk. Autoclaves REQUIRE weekly spore testing to ensure they are functioning properly. That is because an autoclave can run through the normal cycle, but never get hot enough or develop enough pressure to work properly and therefore will not sterilize. That is why weekly testing is required. That means sending special test samples to a laboratory to have them checked out after being subjected to a full cycle in the autoclave. Unfortunately, those who advocate or sell these devices often fail to mention the importance of doing this testing and usually don’t discuss the additional costs related to proper testing and regular maintenance. So, these devices are rarely tested when used in the salon industry and as a result, there are likely many salons that are putting their implements into an autoclave that isn’t properly functioning and thus putting their clients at risk. I know that some countries, such as Australia, have paid services that pick up dirty implements and return sterile implements, but short of this type of service, I don’t think autoclaves are useful in the salon and they can never completely replace proper cleaning and disinfection. Clients don’t get infections from salons because the salon cleans and disinfect instead of sterilizing. That is a myth! There is no evidence to show that using an autoclave reduces the risks of client infections in salons when compared to proper cleaning and disinfection. The reasons infections occur is because salons “don’t” properly clean and disinfect or “don’t” properly use an autoclave. If your salon takes cleaning and disinfection seriously, then clients will be protected. There is proof that disinfection works in salons. There are relatively few reports of salon related infections, especially when it is considered that many millions of these services are performed each year. Overall, the industry has a pretty good track record, but there is still much to do and some salons still are not doing enough. Those salons make the rest of the salons look bad. Each time a client develops and infection, that’s a black eye for the industry. So, if you don’t want to use an autoclave or can’t afford them, never fear- if you properly clean and disinfect, your clients will be protected. But if your one of those who don’t take these responsibilities seriously, then you should find another career." andersoncooper/2013/02/01/5-questions-to-ask-your-nail-salon/
Posted on: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:43:15 +0000