The Importance of PPE in the Hair & Beauty Industry

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in a wide variety of industries, from medical and healthcare to food service, manufacturing, emergency services, and many more. One that’s not often widely considered is the hair and beauty industry – yet using the right PPE is crucial in this sector.

KEY POINTS

• Using PPE in the salon industry is crucial to protect staff and clients from cross-contamination as well as harsh chemicals.
• Salon PPE includes nitrile gloves, face masks, eye protection, and aprons or gowns. These protect against bodily fluids, airborne particles, fumes, harsh chemicals, disinfectants, and more.
• Purchasing the appropriate high-quality PPE from reputable local suppliers is an important step towards regulatory compliance and creating a professional salon that reassures and keeps your team and clients safe.

A professional salon must demonstrate its commitment to health and safety for both staff and clients. Hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists, and nail technicians work in very close, even intimate, proximity to their clients. They can also be chronically exposed to a vast array of potentially harmful contaminants, including chemicals, harsh products, airborne particles, and bodily fluids. Using the right PPE is essential for safeguarding the skin, respiratory system, and eyes, as well as minimising cross-contamination between people.

What Kinds of PPE are used in Salons?

Several types of personal protective equipment are commonly used by hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists, and nail technicians to keep salon professionals and their clients safe. These include:

•  Disposable gloves. Nitrile gloves are preferred, although latex or vinyl gloves may be used. Changed between clients, they are used for handling chemicals (e.g. hair dyes), performing pedicures, some waxing services, and limiting potential contact with blood or other bodily fluids such as saliva. 

• Face masks. These are most commonly seen used in nail salons, though they’re also used behind-the-scenes in hair salons and beauty salons. They protect against the inhalation of airborne bacteria, viruses, particles and dust, fumes from products, and even potentially infectious droplets. In some cases, respirators may even be used.

• Gowns or aprons. These are a simple way to protect worker clothing from splashes and spills, particularly from product residue and chemicals.

• Protective eyewear. This may be in the form of safety glasses/goggles or face shields, which safeguard the eyes against fumes, hairsprays, splashes, and airborne debris.

Why Is Using PPE So Important in this Sector?

• Regulatory compliance and maintaining industry standards to manage risks from workplace hazards, chemicals, and infections.

• Prevents cross-contamination of infection-causing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms between staff and clients and between clients themselves.

• Protects against chemical exposure when using hair dyes, bleaches, acetone, waxes, disinfectants, and more. These can be harsh and irritating or damaging to the skin, lungs, and eyes.

• Prevents allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to chemicals and other products, especially when exposure is high.

• Protects skin, eyes, and clothing from spills and stains from hair dyes, perming solutions, and other products.

• Signifies professionalism and reassures clients that the salon is safe.

Conclusion

Not only is using appropriate PPE in the form of nitrile gloves, face masks, and eye protection important for protecting the service provider, but it is also a crucial tool for the protection of the client. Demonstrably adhering to the highest standards signifies a commitment to customer care and helps to build client confidence, as well as meeting industry standards and protecting against legal liabilities. Choose quality products from reputable local suppliers for the best outcomes.

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