and partners of the customers). Although skin infections never developed in the stylist’s family members, tests did show MRSA colonization in one of them. While the MRSA infections were treated, the damage to the salon was unrepairable. Although the prevalence of MRSA is low, local microbiologic laboratories should report outbreaks to the local municipal health department for further investigation when they are detected. More research is necessary to better understand the risk factors involved in these outbreaks. attempts to remove her acrylic nails. The process took almost four hours. Burgess left the salon with a new set of acrylic nails, but five days later she visited the hospital and was told she had to stay. “I was shocked because I never thought going and getting your nails done, to have them polished, would end up with a finger gone.” Burgess continues, “I cry a lot. I hide my hand a lot. I’ll never wear fingernail polish again. I’ll never wear nails again.” 9 Mary Reddish, Athens, Georgia, was awarded $150,000 after a visit to a salon left her mostly bald. Reddish said she was left nearly bald as result of a chemical reaction from the hair relaxing product and the dye used to bleach her hair blonde. The damage to Reddish’s follicles was bad enough to cause her premature hair loss, according to her attorney. practices,” said Patrick Shaughnessy, a spokesperson for TDLR. “They were not paying attention to the things they need to look at.” Watson’s investigations showed evidence of salon professionals not washing hands between customers, illegal blades, improper cleaning and disinfecting of spa chairs, the potential cross-contamination of creams/ lotions, and reuse of buffing blocks, which expose a customer to the previous customer’s nail and skin tissue. Simple solutions Although each of these risks poses considerable health problems for consumers, there are simple ways beauty establishments can modify their current practices and reduce the potential transmission of infectious diseases. Dr. Sekula-Gibbs explains that using disposable instruments whenever possible, properly sterilizing instruments, employing proper hand washing practices, and teaching the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) “standard precautions” in cosmetology schools would virtually eliminate the risks of contracting viral, bacterial, and fungal infection. Your responsibilities As a salon professional, you have responsibilities to the State and to your profession. Learning appropriate precautionary measures and cleaning procedures will help protect you and your clients . These measures will also reduce the incidence of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections and will prevent the spread of disease. You, your instruments, and your workstation must be kept as clean as possible. This means no shortcuts or omissions of any precautionary measures discussed in this course. Violations can result in penalization by the state of Florida, removal from your salon, and hazardous infection to both you and your clients.
It became apparent that after performing waxing treatments, the stylist would touch the waxed skin of customers with ungloved hands to check for remaining hairs. She did not wash her hands. Ultimately, a total of 45 persons who had been in direct or indirect contact with the stylist were screened for MRSA: three family members, three roommates, 11 other persons (including secondary contacts), six beauty salon employees, and 22 customers (including regular customers). Fifteen persons had skin infections and ten were colonized with MRSA (stylist, family member, roommate, ex-partner of the roommate, customers Other recent salon incidents 9 An unnamed woman nearly died after getting a bikini wax and then contracting a life-threatening bacteria: Streptococcus pyogenes. 9 Entertainer Paula Abdul’s injury made worldwide news, and she nearly lost her thumb because of a fungal infection following a manicure. She testified in front of the California State Business and Professions Committee to lobby for legislation that would establish safety standards for manicure and pedicure equipment. “Being a professional dancer, I’m no stranger to pain,” Abdul said. “But this time, the pain was so excruciating that even my hair touching my thumb caused me to scream.” 9 Reba Burgess, of Kansas City, Missouri was forced to amputate her finger after getting her nails done, reported Kansas City television station KMBC. “Then they filed again. Then they drilled. Then they filed, drilled, picked…” said Burgess of the nail technician’s
Germs are everywhere Bacteria and viruses can live virtually anywhere . We expect some surfaces – such as toilets and surfaces in bathrooms – to harbor germs. Some of the most contaminated surfaces in business, however, are a little more unexpected.
…money may have a “smudge” of anthrax or diphtheria.
In Kimberly Clark Professional’s “The Healthy Workplace Project,” over 5000 swabs from different samples were collected to determine the levels of bacteria. The most contaminated area (75% of surfaces tested) was the sink faucet tap handle, followed closely by microwave door handles (48%). Light switches are also highly contaminated. In salons, handling money can be a major source of transmission of bacteria and viruses. Scientists have found that the dollar bill carries about 3000 types of bacteria on its surface. Most bacteria are harmless; and some bacteria are even beneficial. Yet, according to a 2014 National Public Radio report, money may have a “smudge” of anthrax or diphtheria. The very nature of money makes it a possible way that antibiotic resistant genes move around cities, as reported by biologist Jane Carlton, who is leading the Dirty Money Project at New York University. “We’re not trying to be fear mongers,” says Carlton, “or suggest that everyone goes out and microwave their money. But I must admit that some of the one-dollar bills in NYC are really nasty.” Violations Former WFAA reporter, Brad Watson, performed several undercover salon investigations in 2007. He found that while improvements had been made, many salons continued unsanitary practices. After his reports, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) went to look for themselves. “Well, we found a lot of lax sanitation
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Book Code: CFL1025
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