Hygiene suggestions regarding Powder Brows procedure
Better safe than sorry
Countless members of the Powderbrows.com community, including clients and artists, have inquired about best practices concerning hygiene. This article aims to shed light on the crucial elements of maintaining impeccable cleanliness, both in the treatment room and throughout the Powder Brows procedure itself.
“Observing rigorous hygiene standards extends beyond merely safeguarding against potential hazards and ensuring the well-being of both artist and client. Although the actual occurrence of many health risks is often infrequent, it’s important to note that the implementation of thorough and, at times, exceedingly cautious hygiene measures serves as a testament to an artist’s professional integrity. Such a commitment to cleanliness should be embedded in the ethos of any proficient Powder Brows specialist.”
Suggestions regarding hygiene and supplies
Maintaining a Dedicated Workspace for Procedures
Every Powder Brows procedure must be conducted in an area specifically designated for this task, ideally, a room or part of a room separate from other cosmetic services such as nail care, hairstyling, or eyelash treatments. This isolation minimizes the potential for cross-contamination from fumes or other environmental factors. Good quality cosmetic lamps, including at least one ring light, should be available for sufficient illumination.
Implementing a Hygiene-Friendly Floor
Effective hygiene management begins with an easy-to-clean flooring material such as hard surface tiles, laminate, or specialized molded surfaces. Before each treatment, the floor should be swiftly disinfected with a suitable cleanser. Rugs or carpets near the treatment table can pose cleaning challenges, and their presence may suggest inadequate hygiene practices.
Ensuring the Cleanliness of the Treatment Table
The treatment table, which could be a standard massage table, should be covered with a machine-washable sheet. Multiple sheets should be available to ensure fresh covers are always on hand. For each procedure, the table should be further covered with a disposable paper or textile sheet to minimize germ accumulation.
Maintaining Sterile Tools
All instruments should be sterilized using pressure steamer-based sterilizers (autoclaves) or hot, dry air sterilizers. In cases where metal measuring devices come into contact with blood, they too must be sterilized. PMU machine parts can be stored in a UV cabinet post-sterilization.
Using Disposable Gloves
Properly sized disposable gloves are essential. They should be worn just before starting the procedure and should only come into contact with the PMU machine and wipes. The artist should avoid touching any non-related objects while wearing gloves. Nitrile gloves are often preferred over latex.
Wearing Face Masks
Face masks are recommended to prevent the exchange of germs between the artist and the client, not just for COVID-19 reasons. A steady supply of masks should be maintained for use in each procedure.
Donning Caps for Artists and Clients
Caps should be worn by both the artist and the client to keep hair away from the face and potential wounds created by the pigmentation needle. If the artist has long hair, a cap will prevent any accidental contact with the client's face.
Hand Sanitization Before Procedure
A special disinfectant should be used for hand sanitization. Artists should always maintain their tools and pigments in a clean environment and ensure their Powder Brows tool bag is kept meticulously clean.
Equipment Setup Pre-Gloves
Arrange all the Powder Brows essentials: blade, PMU machine, measuring tools, pencil, wipes, gloves, mask, caps, cups, rings, creams, pigments, etc., prior to wearing the gloves.
Handling the Needle Cartridge
Open a new packet of the needle cartridge and attach it to the machine without allowing the needles inside the blade to touch anything else.
Client's Brow Area
Disinfection With fresh gloves, cleanse and then disinfect the client's eyebrow area using a disinfectant, distilled water, and single-use cotton pads.
Precautions During the Procedure
Always use fresh cups or rings for pigment and anesthetic. Single-use cotton pads or wipes should be moistened with distilled water. Never dip used applicators back into pigment or anesthetic bottles.
Post-Procedure Cleanup
Dispose of used materials in two separate bins: one for generic waste like cotton pads and disposable paper towels, and another specifically for used needle cartridges.
Usage of Disposable Towels
To ensure the utmost hygiene, any item that can be disposable should be. In common areas such as washrooms, disposable towels should be available to prevent multiple clients from touching the same surface.
Proper Ventilation System
Good air circulation is key to maintaining a healthy environment. A proper ventilation system should be installed in the treatment area to ensure the fumes and dust are promptly cleared out.
Cleaning of the PMU Machine
The PMU machine, being the primary tool, should be cleaned and disinfected before and after each procedure to prevent any cross-contamination.
Some laws and regulations
The laws and regulations concerning semi-permanent cosmetic procedures like Powder Brows vary by country and region. Here is a brief overview of the legal aspects in some of the major regions.
United States
In the US, each state has its own regulations concerning semi-permanent makeup. For instance, in California, the Safe Body Art Act regulates tattooing, body piercing, and permanent cosmetics. The artist should get licensed by the local health department and comply with hygiene, sterilization, and safe practices. Also, most states require the artists to complete a Bloodborne Pathogens and Infection Control training.
United Kingdom
In the UK, anyone providing semi-permanent makeup services needs to register with their local council. This includes compliance with The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other local bye-laws. The local council will perform an inspection of the premises, and if they meet health and safety standards, they will issue a special treatments license.
European Union
Regulations in the EU can vary by country. For example, in France, the use of tattoo materials is regulated under the Public Health Code. The practitioner must declare his activity to the Regional Health Agency. In Germany, the operator must ensure compliance with the statutory accident insurance and prevention regulation for biological agents and the hygiene regulation for the operation of tattooing and piercing studios.
Asia
In Asia, the rules can be diverse. For example, in Singapore, cosmetic treatments including semi-permanent makeup services are regulated by the Ministry of Health. A license is required, and artists must comply with health and safety regulations. In Japan, traditionally, only medical doctors were allowed to tattoo skin, but the law has been interpreted more loosely to allow certain cosmetic procedures.
In all locations, key regulatory issues may include artist certification, hygiene practices, use of approved pigments and other materials, safety and health training, record keeping, and proper waste disposal. It's also important to have adequate liability insurance in case of any mishaps.
However, it's crucial to check with local and regional health departments for the specific regulations applicable to the area where you are operating. This summary is just an informative composition of suggestions by the Powderbrows.com, as a general overview, and it might not cover all rules and regulations applicable to your situation.