Hello girls! As you will remember, we have talked a little about the importance of security protocols when working. Hygiene techniques in lashmaking, however, deserve a separate article, as it is a crucial part for us as eyelash extension artists.
Ideally, they already know you and have studied in greater depth during your training as lashmakers, but I will take the opportunity to review the basic terms and remember some measures that you should always take into account.
To begin with, it is important to know how to distinguish what it means to clean, disinfect or sterilize our living room. Each of them is made with different products and methods, in addition to having different results, so each one will have its own moment according to what you require.
Clean, disinfect or sterilize? Understanding the differences
Cleaning
Cleaning or sanitizing is an absolute necessity, that is clear. The term itself refers to the removal of visible debris on an object or surface. When we use a sponge or cloth to remove glue stains or eyelash residues, for example, we are cleaning.
It is very important to note that while cleaning is often thought to kill germs, this is not the case. Pathogenic organisms are destroyed through disinfection or sterilization once the object or surface has already been cleaned. Therefore, this should always be your first step.
Disinfection
The goal of disinfection is to kill or harmless most bacteria and germs on an object or surface. This step is essential to avoid infections and health risks, so any item you use to touch one client must be disinfected before using it on another client.
While most disinfectants have the ability to kill 99% of germs in 30 seconds, the correct thing to do is to soak all utensils by soaking them in alcohol or a phenol compound for at least ten minutes.
Likewise, if an object cannot be disinfected, it is considered to be for single use: in this case, it must be discarded immediately after use.
Sterilization
Sterilization is not frequently used in the professional beauty sector, since the disinfection process is usually sufficient. This causes the total destruction of microbial life, and is usually a process carried out at high temperatures or pressures.
Speaking specifically about hygiene techniques in the world of lashmaking, sterilization is used for instruments such as tweezers once our work is done for the rest of the day.
You can use a quartz ball sterilizer for the instruments, after which you must store them in a covered and airtight container until their next use. This will prevent the growth of bacteria on the instruments.
What hygiene techniques are recommended in lashmaking?
These terms may sound a little complex. However, the procedures you should carry out are much simpler than they seem: it is enough that you stick to them faithfully and always follow them. Here are my tips:
Use disposable items whenever possible.
By this I mean, for example, mask brushes, micro brushes, gel patches, tape, glue rings, stretcher paper, etc. Since they are already sterilized, they will allow you a faster, sanitary and efficient use, after which you should only discard them immediately after use. Disposable items should be discarded immediately after use.
Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap.
No solamente es imprescindible que laves tus manos, sino que también debes procurar que sea un jabón antibacterial. Recuerda también utilizar las técnicas correctas de lavado de mano: para que estén, debes lavarlas durante 20 segundos con jabón y con agua tibia, asegurándote de alcanzar cada rincón de la mano y muñeca.
Usa toallitas impregnadas en alcohol.
The wipes soaked in alcohol will serve to clean the tweezers and utensils necessary for the treatment. These wipes have antiseptic alcohol, so they are sterilized and will allow you to disinfect your instruments before or after each eyelash application.
These are especially useful to avoid cross contamination of your own hands, or if you have several appointments in a row that prevent you from immersing the instruments in alcohol.
Use face masks and headbands.
Face masks are crucial: they not only improve service, but they reduce the contact surface (and therefore the risk to the customer). Likewise, if you collect the hair of your clients, you will prevent adhesive from falling on it.
These simple tips take little time, but they will help you apply lashes professionally without neglecting health or safety at any time.
Do you use any other procedure? Tell me below!