1. Cosmetology COSMETOLOGY SAFETY GUIDELINES Safety Precautions
Infection Control Practices for Cosmetologists
Copyright © 2018 Sophia C. Taylor
Cosmetology
COSMETOLOGY
SAFETY GUIDELINES
Safety Precautions
For Cosmetology Students

2. Acrylic Nail Safety Guidelines
Use a new orangewood stick with each client.
Keep all products from touching the skin·. They may cause sensitivities.
Keep alcohol nearby in case the acrylic gets hot from the chemical action of the product. Because it evaporates quickly, alcohol has a cooling effect.
Soften the edges on your abrasive. A new file can etch a groove in the nail during filing.
If you accidentally touch the nails after ·you apply antiseptic, you must clean them again and reapply.
When working with primer, put on safety glove and safety glasses. Offer safety glasses to your client.
Check primer for clarity on a re gular basis to make sure it is not contaminated which bacteria. If bacteria is present, the primer will appear cloudy.
Use primer sparingly. It can cause irritation or primer burn if it couches the skin.
If you accidentally spill primer on your clothing, remove the soiled garment immediately.
Acrylic applied too thick near the cuticle or touching the cuticle will lift.
Do not use a nipper to clip away loose acrylic. Nipping may make the lifting problem worse and can damage the nail place. If lifting is excessive, soak off the acrylic and start fresh with a new nail application.
Make sure bottles are tightly capped when not in use.
Do not store acrylic products near heat o near an open flame.
Do not apply acrylic to injured or inflamed skin.
Make sure that your work area is well ventilated.   

3. Blood Spill Safety Guidelines
Blood spills occur when the stylist or the client are accidentally cut with a sharp implement during a salon service. Every attempt must be made to ensure that salon products or implements do not come in contact with the skin or an open wound. Any material that makes contact with the blood or an open wound is considered contaminated. All contaminated materials should be discarded by double bagging the contaminated materials and marked with a biohazard label or have biohazard clearly printed on the outside bag with permanent ink.
If the Stylist or client  sustains a cut, they should:
1. Stop the service immediately and clean the injured area. 
2.Put on gloves and  Apply an antiseptic to the injured area and cover with a Band-Aid.
3.Disinfect all affected surface areas with a hospital grade disinfectant. 
4.Discard all disposable contaminated objects such as wipes or cotton balls by double-bagging (place the waste in a plastic bag and then in a trash bag).
5.Use a biohazard sticker (red or orange) or a container for contaminated waste. Deposit sharp disposables in a sharps box.
6.Remove your gloves. Wash your hands with soap and warm water before returning to the service.
7.All tools and implements that have come into contact with blood or body fluids must be disinfected by complete immersion in an EPA. registered, hospital-grade disinfectant that kills HIV-I and Hepatitis B Virus or in a tuberculocidal disinfectant. Be sure to mix and use the disinfectant according to the manufacturers' directions.

4.  Client Consultation
The Client Consultation is the most important aspect of your client’s visit to your salon. This tells the client that you are interested in meeting their hair care needs and desires. This is also helpful for the stylist because it gives you information about your client, their hair and hair habits, which will allow you to recommend the best products and services for them.
Following these simple steps will ensure a successful visit for you and your client.
REVIEW
Ask your client to complete a Client Card. Your card should ask questions about their desired service, products used, and any medications they may be taking. This will give you a great platform to base your current services as well as find out what other services they might be interested in.
ASSESSMENT
Take note of the clients style, overall appearance and hair color. Once you have reviewed the Client Card, you will be able to make suggestions about their service or additional services.
PREFERENCE
Your client needs your professional input to obtain the look they desire. This is your opportunity to help them with their dislikes about their hair and offer changes that may be more appealing.
ANALYZE
Always perform a hair analysis to determine the density, texture, porosity and elasticity of the hair. This assessment will guide you in chemical selection, processing time and selection of styling aids for your client. Assess the texture, thickness, quality and manageability of the clients hair.  
LIFESTYLE
Your client’s day to day habits should be considered before selecting a haircut or style. You don’t want to give your client a haircut or style that doesn’t fit their lifestyle or consumes too much of their time.
SHOW, TELL & SUGGEST
Point out hairstyles that would look good with your client’s facial shape. Help them select a color based on their skin tone. Pay close attention to their selection and suggest choices based on their hair, limitations with their hair, and body shape.
UPKEEP
Your client is walking advertisement for your business. Therefore, to help your client maintain their look, consult with them on maintenance products, how to prevent damage and hair treatments for future appointments.
RE-BOOK
Be sure your client doesn’t have any questions. Review everything you have discussed. Prior to your client leaving the salon, book their next appointment to ensure they maintain their new look.

5. Chemical Hair Relaxing Safety Guidelines
Perform hair and scalp analysis to check for abrasions and hair damage. Do not proceed with the service if redness, swelling, or skin lesions are present.
Perform a client consultation prior to service to check for possible issue with relaxing the clients hair. Examine the hair for signs of breakage, damage, and extreme dryness. Do not proceed with service if these conditions are present.
Do not apply a any type of hydroxide relaxer on hair that has been previously treated with a thio relaxer, soft curl perm, or permanent wave.
Do not apply a thio relaxer or soft curl perm on hair that has been previously treated with any type of hydroxide relaxer.
Do not chemically relax hair that has been treated with a metallic dye, such as Henna and box colors made by Nice & Easy and Feria. .
Do not relax hair that has been highlighted or decolorized with bleach.
Do not shampoo the client prior to the application of a hydroxide relaxer.
Apply a protective base cream throughout each section and sub-section to avoid scalp irritation. Avoid allowing getting the relaxer on Do not allow chemical relaxers to accidentally come into contact with the client’s ears, scalp, or skin.
Wear protective gloves during the relaxer application and when rinsing the chemical from the hair.
Do not process hair longer than indicated by the strand test and the manufacturer’s recommended timing.

6. Chemical Hair Relaxing Safety Guidelines
 During the relaxer application be sure to relax only the “new growth”. Overlapping the relaxer onto hair that has been previously relaxed will lead to hair damage and breakage.
The hair analysis will help you to determine the proper relaxer strength for your client’s hair type as recommended by the manufacturer to avoid hair breakage.
Thoroughly rinse the relaxer from the hair using tepid water. Failure to rinse properly can cause skin irritation, reversion and possible hair loss, breakage, and damage.
Use a neutralizing shampoo to guarantee that the hair and scalp have been restored to their normal pH.
Always apply a conditioner and comb through using wide-tooth comb after a relaxer service. It is always a good idea to use a protein conditioner to help preserve the elasticity in the hair.
Be sue to keep accurate and detailed client records of the services performed and the results achieved to ensure proper time lapse between services.
Have the client sign a release statement indicating that he or she understands the possible risks related to the service.
If any solution accidentally gets into the client’s eye, flush the eye immediately with cool water and refer the client to a doctor.
Conduct periodic strand tests during the service to monitor the hair’s progression.
Please advice your client to avoid scratching, brushing or combing the hair to the scalp at least 24 hours prior to the relaxer application.

7. Disinfectant Safety Guidelines
Disinfectants are powerful professional strength tools that can be hazardous if used incorrectly. You should always use caution when handling these types of chemicals and always follow the manufacturers instructions.
Wear gloves and safety glasses when mixing disinfectants to avoid contact with the skin and eyes.
Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children an pets.
Use tongs or a basket to remove implements from disinfectants.
After mixing disinfectants, place any remaining disinfectants in a labeled container.
Add disinfectant to water when mixing rather than adding water to a disinfectant to prevent foaming, which could result in an incorrect mixing ratio.
Keep all disinfectant jars covered but not airtight.
All multi-use items can be cleaned, disinfected and used on more than one person. These items must be non-porous.
All single use items cannot be disinfected and must be discarded because they become damaged during cleaning and disinfecting.

8. Electrical Safety
Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the safe use, handling and storage of electrical equipment.
All the electrical appliances you use should be UL certified.
Do not leave your client unattended while connected to an electrical device.
When adjusting or cleaning equipment that is not in use, SWITCH OFF the power and pull out the plug – do NOT pull out by the cord .
Keep all electrical plugs off the floor and away from people’s feet to prevent them from tripping and falling.
Electrical equipment must be checked and maintained in good repair to avoid risk of injury by conducting regular equipment checks.
Clean up liquid spills as soon as possible. Electrical equipment must be kept away from water.
Do not touch equipment with wet hands or use a wet cloth to clean sockets.
Store and operate equipment away from damp areas.
Avoid standing on a wet floor while using any electrical equipment.
Use power boards instead of double adaptors.
Do not touch two metal objects at the same time if either is connected to an electric current.
Do not allow electrical cords to become twisted; it can cause a short circuit.
Do not attempt to repair electrical appliances unless you are qualified.
Do not leave electrical cords dangling in busy works areas creating a hazard.
The risk of electrical shock can arise from exposed wires, the presence of water and electricity in the area in which equipment is used and wet hands while turning on the power.

9. Facials & Facial Makeup Safety Guidelines
Help the client to relax by speaking in a quiet and professional manner.
Explain the benefits of the products and service, and answer any questions the client may have.
Provide a quiet atmosphere, and work quietly and efficiently.
Maintain neat, clean, sanitary conditions in the facial work area with an orderly arrangement of supplies.
Follow systematic procedures.
If your hands are cold, warm them before couching the client's face.
Keep your nails smooth and short to prevent scratching the client's skin.
Another guideline you muse always be sure to follow is to perform an analysis of your client's skin. After the client is draped and seated on the facial table (also called bed), you should inspect the skin to determine the following:
Is the skin dry, normal, or oily?
Are there fine lines or creases?
Are comedones or acne present?
Are dilated capillaries visible?
, Is skin texture smooth or rough?
Is skin color even?
The results of your analysis will determine the produces to use for the massage, what areas of the face need special attention, how much pressure to use when massaging, and what equipment should be used.

10. Facials & Facial Makeup Safety Guidelines
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap. and warm water before and after every facial and makeup application.
Properly drape the client to protect their clothing. Use a headband or a towel to keep the hair out of the face during a facial. You may use a hair clip to secure the hair during makeup application.
Use a shaker type container for loose powder.
Using a chair liner for your facial chair or disposable facial bed sheets for each client.
Be sure that your implements and brushed have been properly sanitized.
Keep your fingernails smooth to avoid scratching the client's skin.
Use an antiseptic on the tweezed areas of the eyebrows to avoid infection.
Be sure to follow all disinfectant safety precautions by properly disposing of all single use items such as sponges, cotton pads, spatulas, and applicators after each client.
Do not use your finger to remove facial or facial makeup products from their containers. Always use a spatula or pour the product from the container.
Never apply lip color directly from the container to the client's lips. Use a spatula or disposable applicator to remove the product from the container, and then use a brush to apply.
Place all towels, linens, makeup capes, and other items that can be washed and sanitized in the proper containers.
Keep your work station sanitary, neat and well organized.

11. General Safety Precautions
Accidents must be reported immediately. Even if they seem to be minor, it must be reported to your instructor. Your instructor will be sure the proper accident report is filed, and seek medical attention if necessary.
Wear proper salon clothing (scrubs, no open toe shoes, sleeveless tops etc.)
No running, loud talking, throwing, squirting water, and playing in classroom or lab area.
Leave your work area clean and orderly daily.
Always use the right tool for the right job.
Keep tools and equipment in good working order
Keep all tools and instruments out of your pockets.
Read all directions before applying any product to the hair.
Always analyze the scalp before proceeding with any service.
Keep a record card on all patrons receiving a chemical service.
Keep all disinfectants labeled and stored properly.
Tools should be kept sanitized when not in use.
Clean and sanitize all equipment and implements before returning to their proper place.
Keep all wires, plugs and cords away from heated equipment.
Do no handle electrical appliances with wet hands
Keep all containers labeled and covered.
Learn the location of the emergency exit in the classroom/lab.
Follow emergency evacuation procedures precisely
Always practice good personal hygiene. 

12. Hair Removal Safety
Be sure to have your client complete a Client Card and perform a client consultation prior to waxing to ensure your client does not have any contraindications to a waxing service.
Always wash your hands before and after each service.
To prevent burns, always test the temperature of the heated wax before applying to the client's skin.
Use a professional wax heater for warming wax. Never heat wax in a microwave or on a stovetop. Wax can become overheated and burn the client's skin.
Avoid application of heat to the waxed area for hours. This includes hot baths, sauna, and steam baths.
Use caution so that the wax does not come in contact with the client’s eyes.
Do not apply wax over warts, moles, abrasions, or irritated or inflamed skin. Do not remove hair protruding from a mole, as the wax could cause trauma to the mole.
Avoid applying highly fragranced products to the waxed area. This includes perfume, scented body lotions, anti-perspirants, cosmetics or feminine hygiene sprays. Only use the professional products recommended by your stylist.
Redness and swelling sometimes occur on sensitive skin. Apply an aloe gel to calm and soothe the skin.
The skin under the arms is sometimes very sensitive. If so, use cold wax.
Avoid using harsh abrasives or exfoliators in the waxed area. This includes any AHA (glycolic acids) products. The only exception is an AHA products recommended by your stylist. If you are prone to ingrown hairs, loofah mittens or exfoliant scrubs can be used once the hair has begun to grow back.
Any redness of the skin should disappear within 6 to 8 hours after the waxing treatment. Slight redness is normal and indicates that the hair was removed from the root; rather than superficially broken off, as in shaving.

13. Haircoloring Safety Guidelines
Perform a parch test 24 to 48 hours prior to each application of aniline-derivative hair color. Apply hair color only if the patch test is negative.
Always wash your hands before and after each client service.
Do not apply hair color if scalp abrasions are present.
Do not brush the hair prior to applying color to prevent scalp abrasions.
Always read and follow the manufacturer's directions before beginning any chemical service.
Use sanitized applicator bottles, brushes, combs, and towels. Protect your client's clothing with proper draping.
Perform a strand test for color prediction, breakage, and/or discoloration. This will also help you to determine the desired color for your client.
Use an applicator bottle or bowl for mixing the hair color.
Do not mix hair color until you are ready to use it; discard any leftover hair color. 
Never mix different hair color products together.
Do not apply hair color if a metallic or compound hair color is present.
Do not permit the color to come in contact with the client's eyes. Spilling hair color into the eye by accident could also cause permanent damage.
Do not overlap hair color onto previously color treated hair during a color retouch service. This could cause over-processing and hair damage.
Rinse your scalp thoroughly with water and use a mild shampoo after the color service. Alkaline shampoos are harsh and may strip the color and cause dryness.
Don't leave the color on the hair longer than recommended by the manufacturer.
Wear gloves when applying hair color to protect your hands & skin from chemical burns and skin irritations.
Never color eyebrows or eyelashes using hair color that is manufactured for the hair. An allergic reaction to certain color chemical can cause swelling or increase risk of infection around or in your eyes. This could cause blindness.

14. Haircutting Safety Guidelines
Always cross check your haircut for accuracy by using parting opposite from which you use to cut it.
Wash hands with soap and water before and after each service
Conduct a consultation prior to cutting
Be sure to properly drape your client prior to beginning the service.
Always perform a hair and scalp analysis prior to shampooing the client to ensure there are no scalp issues or scalp diseases present.
Keep the client’s face free from hair clippings.
Never cut beyond your safety zone of your fingers (passed the second knuckle of your index and middle finger)
If you drop a comb or pair of scissors on the floor, clean them, and sanitize – or – get a new pair before you continue cutting
Ensure your own posture and position of your client while working. It helps minimize fatigue and risk of injury.
When using clippers, check the plug, cord, casing and other parts to ensure they are in good working condition. If you think they might be broken, don’t use them and report the issue to your Instructor.
Always palm the shears and your razor when combing or parting the hair. This keeps the points of the shear closed and pointed away from the client while combing, which prevents you from cutting yourself or your client. Palming the shears also reduces strain on the index finger and thumb while combing the hair.   

15. Haircutting Safety Guidelines  
 When cutting around the ears, or in the case of shorter haircuts, take extra care not to accidentally cut the ear. Cuts on the ears can produce large amounts of blood!
When cutting bangs (fringe), or any area close to the skin, balance the shears by placing the tip of the index finger of your left hand (right hand if you cut left· handed) on the pivot screw and the knuckles of your left hand against the skin. This helps prevent clients from being accidentally poked with the shears if they move suddenly. This also helps to balance your shears and cut a more defined line.
When working with a razor, learn with a guard. Never practice holding, palming, or cutting with the razor without a guard unless directed and supervised by your Instructor.
Take extra care when removing and disposing of the razor blade. Place the blade in its original sleeve, or wrap it in a paper towel, double bag and mark the bag before placing in the trash.
Sanitize work station after each service
Make sure all hair is swept up immediately after you have finished the cut and, preferably, before you start blow-drying. Dispose of hair in a covered container.
Properly clean and sanitize all tools, implements and equipment before and after each service. Store your shears in a protective case for sanitary purposes and to protect your blades from damage.

16. Hairstyling Safety Guidelines
BLOWDRY STYLING
Be careful not hold the blow dryer in one place for too long. Move the blow dryer in a constant back-and-forth motion unless you are using the cooling button to cool a section to prevent burning the client.
Always direct the hot air away from the client’s scalp and towards the ends of the hair to prevent burning their scalp.
The flow of air from the blow dryer should be in the direction in which the hair is wound on the brush. This ensures that the cuticle layer is not rough and frizzy, but smooth.
Never blow dry relaxed or chemically treated hair from a complete wet state to a dry state. You may partially dry the client by placing them under a cool dryer until the hair is at least 20% dry.

17. Hairstyling Safety Guidelines
 1. Keep thermal irons clean, especially if hairspray is used before
curling the hair.
Do not overheat thermal irons. This can damage the ability of irons to hold heat uniformly.
Test the temperature of the iron using a white cloth or white paper. Do not inhale fumes of irons.
Handle thermal irons carefully to prevent burning yourself or your client.
Place hot irons in a safe place to cool. Do not leave them where someone might accidentally come in contact with them and be burned.
When using a conventional iron heater, do not place the handles too close to the heater. Your hand might be burned when removing the iron. Make sure the iron is properly balanced in the heater or it might fall and be damaged or injure someone.
Use only hard rubber or non-flammable combs when thermal curling. Celluloid or plastic combs must not be used in thermal curling, as they are flammable.
Do not use metal combs They become hot and can burn the scalp.
Place a comb between the scalp and the thermal iron to prevent burning of scalp.
Hair must be clean and dry prior to curling the hair to prevent singeing the hair.
In order to prevent fishhooks, do not allow the hair ends to protrude over the iron.
Curling hair that has been lightened, tinted, or relaxed hair requires the use of a lower heat setting.
Always apply a thermal protectant to the hair to prevent heat damage.

18. Manicuring & Pedicuring Safety Guidelines
Keep all containers covered and labeled.
Handle sharp or pointed implements carefully and avoid dropping them.
Dull very sharp cutting edges with an emery board.
Bevel a sharp nail edge with an emery board.
Do not file too deeply into nail corners.
Do not use a sharp, pointed implement to clean under the nail.
Avoid excessive friction in nail buffing .
Immediately apply an antiseptic if the skin is accidentally cut.
Apply alum powder or solution to stop the bleeding from a small cut. Never us a styptic pencil. Styptic pencils cannot be disinfected, therefore the possibility of passing on infections is great.
Avoid too much pressure at the base of the nail so that you do not damage the nail matrix.
Do not work on a nail if the surrounding skin is inflamed or infected.
Always practice proper disinfection procedures and dispose of all single use items properly.
If bleeding occurs during the service, stop the service and follow the procedure for Blood Spills
Always disinfect your implements properly after each service to prevent possible contamination of your other implements
To prevent infection, never cut or forcefully push back your cuticles. If you must push them back, only do so gently after a shower or bath.
Shave your lower legs after getting a pedicure, not before. That means not shaving your lower legs for at least 24 hours before you get a pedicure. If you nick yourself while shaving, a pedicure could put you at risk for an infection.

19. Permanent Waving Safety Guidelines
Always protect your client's clothing by using the proper draping. Use a shampoo or chemical cape, and double drape with towels to absorb accidental spills.
Always wash your hands before and after each service.
Do not save any opened, unused waving lotion neutralizer. These solutions may change in strength and effectiveness if not used in a timely manner.
Do not give a permanent to a client who has experienced an allergic reaction to a previous permanent wave service.
Always perform a hair and scalp analysis before the perm service. Do not proceed if there are any skin abrasions, or signs of scalp disease.
Do not perm hair that is excessively damaged or shows signs of breakage.
Do not attempt co remove more than 80 percent of the natural curl.
Thoroughly rinse the solution from the hair prior to neutralization. Failure to rinse properly can cause excessive skin irritation and hair breakage
Always follow the manufacturer‘s instructions for optimum results. Do not dilute or add anything to the waving lotion or neutralizer unless specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.
If your client is suffering from hair breakage or damage, apply a series of reconstructive conditioning treatments until the condition of the hair improves and the damaged hair can be cut off.
Always perform a test for metallic salts to ensure the hair has not been previously colored with a metallic hair color.
Do not attempt to permanent wave hair that has been previously treated with a hydroxide relaxer.
Replace cotton and towels that have become saturated with solution.
Always wear gloves when apply chemical solutions to the hair.
Always apply protective barrier cream around the client’s hairline and ears prior to the service to prevent chemical burns.

20. Skin Care Client Consultation
The Client Consultation is the most important aspect of your client’s visit to your salon. This tells the client that you are interested in meeting their hair care needs and desires. This is also helpful for the stylist because it gives you information about your client, their hair and hair habits, which will allow you to recommend the best products and services for them.
Following these simple steps will ensure a successful visit for you and your client.
REVIEW
Ask your client to complete an Client Card. Your card should ask questions about their desired service, products used, and any medications they may be taking. This will give you a great platform to base your current service as well as find out what other services they might be interested in.
ASSESSMENT
Take note of the clients facial features, eyebrow shapes and if they wear makeup.
PREFERENCE
Your client needs your professional input to obtain the look they desire. This is your opportunity to help them with their dislikes about their overall cosmetic appearance and offer changes that may be more appealing.
ANALYZE
Always perform a skin analysis to determine the condition of the skin, skin type and if there are any visible skin conditions that may need to be addressed.
LIFESTYLE
Your client’s day to day habits should be considered before selecting cosmetic services. You don’t want to give your client a cosmetic look that doesn’t fit their lifestyle or consumes too much of their time.
SHOW, TELL & SUGGEST
Point out cosmetic looks that would look good with your client’s facial shape. Help them select a color palette based on their skin tone. Pay close attention to their selection and suggest choices based on their facial shape, skin condition and skin tone.
UPKEEP
Your client is walking advertisement for your business. Therefore, to help your client maintain their look and consult with them on maintenance products.
RE-BOOK
Be sure your client doesn’t have any questions. Review everything you have discussed. Prior to your client leaving the salon, book their next appointment to ensure they maintain heir new look.