The Most Important Sanitary Spa Practices  

Partaking in sanitary practices that ensure spa safety and a clean spa environment should always be a top priority.

In fact, this was my inspiration for developing uni-dose facial treatments. Uni-dose packaging avoids cross contamination or “double dipping,” creating a safe treatment for you and your clients. Now more than ever is a reminder of how essential it is that we, as professionals, do not overlook anything when it comes to sanitation.

Below I’m sharing the best sanitation practices, including a sanitation checklist to follow at your business, and tutorials on how to properly wash your hands before a facial and sanitize and store your facial tools.

Sanitation Check List

1. Make sure all surfaces, from front door to front desk and treatment room areas, are being disinfected regularly and between clients.

Disinfection Checklist:

• Properly dispose of used supplies in closed lid trash can.
• Turn off the table warmer if used.
• Clean the wax machine and turn it off and unplug at the end of the day.
• Disinfect the steamer and magnifying lamp.
• Disinfect the bottom tray and the inside of the towel warmer after removing all used items.
• Disinfect any other equipment used, and turn it off.
• Clean all containers, and wipe off dirty product containers with a disinfectant.
• Clean all counters, sinks, surfaces and floor mats with disinfectant.

Keep a protocol of proper procedure in each room and clean and disinfect after each use using the following procedure using a state regulated disinfectant or 70% isopropyl alcohol solution.  Also, change the high-level disinfectant solution in the container according manufacturer’s directions.

2. Always ask clients to wash hands upon arrival.

3. Wear a mask and gloves during all treatments to protect you and your clients.

OSHA requires that gloves be worn when there is a reasonable likelihood that hands will be in contact with blood, mucous, non-intact skin (such as open acne lesions) possibly contaminated items or contaminated surfaces.

4. Use disposable tools and accessories when possible.

• Paper towels.
• Client headband to protect the hair and hold it out of the way.
• Personal Service Towels to drape clients and to keep work area clean.
• Sterile cotton 4″ × 4″ pads or single-use sponges to remove product from the skin.
• Sterile gauze squares for use with certain facial treatments.
• Sterile cotton pads for cleaning and for product application.
• Medical grade tissues that do not contain fragrance or dyes for blotting the face.
• Sterile cotton swabs for performing extractions. These can have wooden handles for extra strength.
• Makeup sponges for applying makeup post procedure and for applying produce.
• Disposable vinyl or nitrile gloves.
• A sealable plastic bag for proper disposal of single-use items.
• Lancets (see state regulations for extraction rules).
• Single-dose professional facial treatment kits

5. Use fresh towels and bed sheets for each client or disposable substitutes if possible.

6. Dispose all potential infected material.

OSHA regulates proper disposal of any item containing blood or other bodily fluids as well as sharp objects such as lancets.

Be aware of your state regulations as well, as some states do not allow lancets to be used during facials. If allowed, must be disposed in a united called a sharps box.

Other items such as cotton or swabs must be disposed of in a biohazard container if they have been in contact with blood or other bodily fluid or material.

7. For all non-disposable items, tools and devices, disinfect and sterilize with alcohol, white vinegar, or an autoclave*, depending on the care instructions for these items.

*An autoclave is a sterilizer for implements that completely kills all microorganism including bacteria, fungi, viruses and bacterial spores. If you do not have a sterilizer or autoclave, you should not use re-useable implements.

Follow your sterilizer’s manufacturers’ guidelines for daily, weekly and monthly cleaning and maintenance to assure the machine is working at optimal level.

8. Practice sanitary waxing procedures to prevent infection.

9. Practice and communicate a flexible re-booking policy for ill clients. This will assure your safety as well as other clients.

Wash Your Hands Before a Facial

It is essential for all skincare professionals and estheticians to wash their hands before performing a facial treatment. Watch the video below to learn the proper way to wash your hands before a facial.