Chapter 3: Cosmetology Hazards in Salons 1 CE Hour
By: Mary Anne Jennelle Learning outcomes
After completing this course, the learner will be able to: Explain why certain chemicals may be harmful and why. Identify products found in the salon that contain chemicals. Describe how chemicals enter the body. Course overview Cosmetologists use, inhale, and absorb hazardous chemicals daily in the salon and research shows salon workers are at a greater risk for certain health problems compared to other occupations. Prolonged and frequent exposure to these substances has been associated with such health issues Introduction Cosmetologists use, inhale, and absorb hazardous chemicals daily in the salon and research shows salon workers are at a greater risk for certain health problems compared to other occupations. Prolonged and frequent exposure to these substances has been associated with such health issues as asthma, dermatitis, neurological symptoms, cancer, and many more (Anderson and Meade, 2014). This basic- level course will provide salon professionals with a broad overview of the chemicals used in the salon setting. Several factors affect the degree of hazard chemical exposure poses to someone. These factors include, ● Toxicity is the ability of a chemical to cause harm when it comes into contact with the body. Chemicals can be present in four different forms: ● Solids have a definite shape. These can include dust, fibers, and powders. An example of a solid in a salon would be talcum powder. ● Liquids are chemicals that flow like water. An example of a liquid in the salon would be acetone. When a liquid is in a bottle and is pumped or sprayed in the air, it can be How chemicals enter the body There are three main ways for chemicals to enter the body (CCOHS, 2023): ● Breathing : Once a chemical enters the lungs through breathing, it can stay there and be carried into the bloodstream or other parts of the body. ● Skin and eye contact : Some chemicals can harm the skin directly. Chemicals may cause burns, irritation, rashes, or dermatitis. Chemicals can pass through the skin and enter the bloodstream through cuts or cracked and dry skin. Some can burn or irritate eyes from a chemical splashing or by touching eyes with fingers that have the chemical on them. A chemical can also get into the eyes if a chemical vapor is present.
List some examples of hazardous chemicals in salon products. Name the health issues caused by chemical exposure in the salon. Give examples of ways to reduce exposure to chemicals in the salon. as asthma, dermatitis, neurological symptoms, cancer, and many more (Anderson and Meade, 2014). This basic- level course will provide salon professionals with a broad overview of the chemicals used in the salon setting. ● Potency is also a factor, since some chemicals are more toxic than others, meaning that a smaller amount can cause a greater amount of damage. ● The length of exposure to the chemical also determines how serious a hazard it poses. The longer a person is exposed, the more of the chemical can get into the body. ● The individual’s sensitivity to the chemical may also vary and determine the degree of hazard. ● The route of exposure, for example, either through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion affects the hazardousness of the exposure as well as the exact effect it causes (NYSDOH, n.d.).
CHEMICAL BASICS
broken into smaller droplets called mist . Hairspray is an example of a liquid being broken into a mist. ● Gases flow and move freely in the air. You often cannot see or smell gases. ● Vapors are like gases because they float freely but they come from liquids that have evaporated in the air. An example of this in a salon is nail polish remover that has evaporated into the air and results in acetone vapor. ● Swallowing : Most people do not swallow a chemical on purpose. This can accidentally happen by eating, drinking, or smoking after working around chemicals. Therefore, it is always important to wash hands and keep food away from work areas. Certain cosmetic processes at a salon present multiple opportunities for chemical exposure. One example of such a process is permanent waving. It is possible to breathe in perm solution vapors when opening the bottle or wrapping the hair in the solution. There could be skin contact when applying or rinsing the perm. It may also get into the eyes from splashing of the solution, touching the eyes, or vapor from the perm solution. The chemical may also be swallowed if the perm solution is on the hands while eating, drinking, or smoking.
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Book Code: CIL0725
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