Lash Artist's Guide To Understanding Proper Sanitation
Not following proper eyelash sanitation practices can spread infections between clients, which could damage your reputation as a lash tech as well as potentially facing fines from your state's Board of Cosmetology. In this blog, we will go over what the main differences between sanitizing and disinfecting are, as well as some helpful tips to keep your lash studio clean!
What's The Difference: Sanitizing vs. Disinfecting
When we hear sanitize or disinfect, we usually use these words when we describe cleaning. A lot of times people think that these two words mean the same thing, but they actually DO NOT.
Sanitization is reducing a contamination or bacteria to a “safe” level, while disinfection is killing everything on a particular surface.
When it comes to deciding to sanitize vs. disinfect, you’d want to use a more powerful agent for disinfecting than you would for sanitizing. Soap and water can be used to sanitize a surface, while alcohol-based products containing at least 70% alcohol can disinfect surfaces.
Cleaning/Sanitizing/Disinfecting Your Non-Disposable Lash Supplies
After every appointment, you’ll need to sanitize or disinfect your non-disposables supplies and your work surfaces.
Lash Tweezers are typically the non-disposables that are coming into direct contact with the clients eye lid and lashes. For these tools, you may clean them with soap and water to remove any lash glue residue or what have you. Then, be sure to disinfect them in Barbicide.
You can use disposable disinfectant wipes to wipe down your work surfaces in between clients, including your massage bed or chair that your client is laying on. You can also opt to use disposable massage table "bed sheets," which make clean up between clients much easier and efficient.
Use Disposable Lash Products
Most of the items you use throughout a lash service should be disposable. Lash Wands are used to brush through the lashes throughout the service and can also be used for a deep cleanse of the lash line. All of the debris from the lash line gets stuck in the bristles, and it's just a complete mess. Same goes for Micro-Tip swabs that are used to help clean the lash line or apply sealant/primer: just toss them after each client.
Your Lash Client's Experience
Your personal hygiene practices can make a huge difference on the experience your client receives. Here are some tips to make sure that you are preventing infection and providing the most comfortable service to your lash clients:
Wear a Mask: During this time, face masks are mandatory to protect against COVID-19, but they are also important for protecting you from constant exposure to the fumes/vapor from lash adhesives (even if it's low fumes, like our Superior Bond, it's best to still wear a mask).
Use Hand Sanitizer or Gloves: If you need to pick up your phone or drink some water, make sure you sanitize your hands before continuing the service. This will help give your clients peace of mind knowing that you are conscious about keeping things clean!
Cover Your Client's Forehead: Use a tissue to cover your clients forehead during the lash extension service so your hands aren't resting directly on their skin. This will create a light barrier that will increase client comfort, and also help to alleviate potentially "break outs" if their skin is extremely sensitive.
Tie Your Hair: Clients don't want to be tickled or bothered by your hair in their face during an appointment. Make sure your hair is tied or pulled back so it never touches your lash client.
Other Lash Pro Tips:
- Avoid placing lash strips on the back of your hand or on the clients forehead. The strip will pick up oil and skin when you take it off, which will be nearly impossible to completely sanitize.
- If you drop a disposable or non-disposable tool on the ground, don't pick it up and continue using them on your client. Dispose of it or disinfect it while you grab a fresh tool to continue the service.
It's always important to take a moment to reflect and refresh on how you may improve your sanitation practices to ensure that you're doing right by your lash clients!