Tales from a hairdresser
- Opinion piece from a licensed cosmetologist
Too often beauty & barber professionals have nasty unhygienic practices. Although we all go to school to become licensed by the state, many procedures taught are not practiced in the field. Here are common ways professionals don't follow state board procedures :
1.Reusing dirty or unsanitary implements
Combs, nail files, clipper blades, brushes etc are common implements that are neglected when it comes to sanitization. Although this seems frivolous, certain diseases or even scalp disorders are contagious. Combs and brushes should be submerged in Barbicide following washing them with soap.
Even nail files should not be reused between clients. Waxing services require new waxing sticks EACH time it's dipped in the wax.
2. Cleaning the chairs, shampoo bowls in-between clients and PRIOR to closing the salon.
I remember in hair school back in 1999, the instructor told us the importance of cleaning thoroughly prior to leaving for the day. I have been guilty of leaving without doing this. Stylists and barbers are often exhausted at the end of work days. It takes discipline to do this. After the pandemic, I increased the thoroughness of my cleanliness procedures because people were scared to come get services. It stuck with me till this very day.
Chair's need to be cleaned in-between clients not only for cleanliness reasons, but also the following reasons
Color or chemicals may be on the chair
Clients can easily be unintentionally carrying bugs on them from their homes
I've noticed MANY beauty & barber professionals do not clean the chair's in-between clients let alone their salons at the end of a work day.
3. Separation of floor towels from towels from services
I've seen this ALOT. This is a common sense practice but many people aren't raised with understanding how dirty this practice is. The same towels you wipe the floor with (to clean color, products etc) should be separate. In my salon, you can see the difference between the floor towels & head towels. I use rags for the floor and wash those towels separately.
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Dawn Michelle Williams is a licensed cosmetologist for the state of Maryland since the year 2000. She is the owner of Dawn Michelle's Salon in Hyattsville Maryland specializing in natural hairstyles. For information & appointments visit https://DawnMichelleSalon.com
Notes from the author:
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