3.1 Cleaning tools and equipment

After a hair removal service, every tool and piece of equipment that touched the client, the wax or the treated skin must be cleaned and then decontaminated before it is used again. Waxing and electrolysis leave follicles open and may draw small spots of blood, so tools can carry bacteria, fungi and blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B and HIV. Decontamination is done at the right level for each item: sanitising for low-risk items, disinfection for items touching intact skin, and sterilisation for metal tools that may pierce the skin or contact blood. Example: a wellness spa in Londiani sends its tweezers to the autoclave after every client and keeps a log of each sterilisation cycle.

Sanitize

Sanitising means cleaning to reduce micro-organisms to a safe level, mainly by removing the dirt, wax, oil and dead skin that shelter them. It is the first step for every item, because disinfectants and sterilisers cannot reach micro-organisms under residue.

• Remove wax: Hardened wax is lifted off tools with a wax-removing solvent or oil made for the purpose.
• Wash: Items are scrubbed in warm water and detergent with a small brush.
• Rinse and dry: Items are rinsed in clean water and dried with a disposable towel.
• Hands: Hands are washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or rubbed with alcohol hand rub, before and after each client.
• Surfaces: The couch, trolley and wax heater are wiped down with detergent before disinfecting.

Sterilize

Sterilising destroys all micro-organisms, including bacterial spores. It is used for metal instruments that may break the skin or contact blood, such as tweezers and electrolysis needle holders where the manufacturer allows.

• Autoclave: Steam under pressure, usually 121 °C for 15 to 20 minutes or 134 °C for 3 to 4 minutes, as the manufacturer directs; this is the reliable salon method.
• Clean first: Items must be cleaned and dried before they go in.
• Pouches and indicators: Tools are sealed in sterilisation pouches with indicator strips that change colour when the cycle is complete, and kept sealed until use.
• Records: Each cycle is logged with the date, load and result.
• Single-use sterile items: Electrolysis probes come pre-sterilised; they are never re-sterilised or reused.
• Not sterilisers: Ultraviolet cabinets only help keep clean tools clean; they do not sterilise them.

Disinfect

Disinfection destroys most harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi on non-living surfaces, but not all spores. It is used for items and surfaces that touch intact skin.

• Immersion: Clean tools are fully covered with a hospital-grade disinfectant (for example a quaternary ammonium solution) for the contact time on the label, then rinsed and dried.
• Wiping: Small metal tools and the laser handpiece are wiped with 70% alcohol or a disinfectant wipe approved by the manufacturer.
• Surfaces: The couch, trolley, wax heater exterior and door handles are wiped with surface disinfectant; diluted sodium hypochlorite is used on non-metal surfaces.
• Blood spills: Spills are covered with absorbent paper, cleaned, and disinfected with a disinfectant effective against blood-borne viruses (such as 0.5% sodium hypochlorite), wearing gloves.
• Chemical safety: Gloves are worn, dilutions follow the label, solutions are dated and changed daily, and bleach is never mixed with ammonia or acids.

Storage

Correct storage keeps decontaminated tools clean until the next client.

• Covered containers: Clean tools are stored in closed, labelled containers or drawers, never loose on the trolley.
• Sterile items: Sterilised tools stay in their sealed pouches in a dry, clean cupboard; a torn or wet pouch means the item must be reprocessed.
• Separate clean from used: Used items go straight to a labelled "used" tray, away from clean stock.
• Wax: Wax pots are kept covered; wax that has been contaminated (for example by double dipping) is thrown away.
• Electrical equipment: The wax heater, laser and electrolysis machines are switched off, unplugged, cooled and covered, with cables coiled loosely.
• Chemicals: Disinfectants and solvents are stored in their original labelled containers in a cool, locked cupboard away from heat.

Tools and equipment in hair removal