Dedicated Workspace
It’s best to perform Powder Brows and Hairstrokes procedures separately, away from nail care or hairstyling services. This reduces the risk of cross-contamination from chemicals in the air. Ensure good lighting with cosmetic lamps, including a ring light. While there haven’t been serious incidents related to chemical exposure, it’s unprofessional and could cause discomfort.
Hygiene-Friendly Flooring
Choose flooring that’s easy to clean, like hard tiles or laminate. Regularly disinfect the floor before each session. Avoid rugs or carpets near the treatment area, as they can be hard to clean and may look unhygienic, especially to clients with medical knowledge.
Treatment Table Cleanliness
Use a treatment table with a machine-washable cover and keep spare sheets ready. Cover the table with disposable sheets for each procedure to maintain hygiene. Some places recommend showing clients the removal of these sheets and building trust through transparency.
Sterilizing Tools
Sterilize all tools with devices like autoclaves or hot, dry air sterilizers. Metal tools that contact blood must be sterilized. Store PMU machine parts in a UV cabinet after sterilization. While UV-C is useful, it’s often a secondary method. This might seem excessive, but it ensures professional service.
Clutter-Free Work Area
Experienced artists suggest keeping your workspace free of unnecessary items like glasses, phones, or unused pigment bottles. Having fewer items around helps maintain a cleaner, more hygienic environment.
It's important to wear the right size disposable gloves. Put them on before starting the procedure, and only touch the PMU machine and wipes. Avoid touching unrelated items. Nitrile gloves are preferred over latex.
During the brow measuring and mapping phase, gloves aren't legally required but are recommended for professionalism. Change gloves after measuring and before starting pigmentation to keep things hygienic.
If you accidentally touch something else with your gloves during the procedure, replace them immediately. A seasoned artist shared, “Even after seven years, I sometimes touch things I shouldn’t. The key is to change the gloves quickly.”
Wearing Face Masks
Face masks protect against COVID-19 and improve overall hygiene. They prevent germ exchange between the artist and the client. Wear the mask properly, cover your nose, and keep a good supply for each procedure.
Caps for Artists and Clients
Both the artist and the client should wear caps to keep hair away from the face and the procedure area. Caps are particularly important for artists with long hair. While there’s no evidence of contamination through hair, some clients might view the absence of a cap as unprofessional, which can lead to public criticism.
Sanitizing Hands Before the Procedure
Before starting, sanitize your hands with a special disinfectant. Keep your tools, pigments, Powder Brows, and Hairstrokes equipment always clean.
Consider using a medical-grade barrier cream on your hands for extra protection, especially if you sanitize frequently. This adds to glove protection and helps prevent skin irritation, particularly in cold weather.
Preparing Equipment Before Gloving Up
Set up all your essentials - PMU machine, measuring tools, pencil, wipes, gloves, mask, caps, needles, cups, rings, creams, pigments, etc., before putting on gloves. Ensure everything necessary is ready and avoid clutter.
Handling Needle Cartridges and Blades
Always use a new needle cartridge or microblading blade. Open and attach it to your machine carefully to avoid touching other surfaces. Show this process to the client, confirming the new cartridge and mentioning the expiration date for added transparency. If the package has a color indicator, show it to the client to demonstrate your commitment to hygiene.
Disinfecting the Client's Brow Area
With clean gloves, use a disinfectant, distilled water, and single-use cotton pads to clean the client's eyebrow area. Ensure you understand how to use cleaning products correctly to maximize their effectiveness and avoid skin irritation.
Importance of Barrier Film
Use barrier film to cover things you might touch during the procedure, like lamps and bottles. It's better to use too much than too little. Clients usually appreciate this attention to cleanliness. After removing the film, always sanitize the covered objects with sterilization liquid.
Accessible Trash Container
Keep a small trash container close by for disposing of used cotton swabs and pigment cups. Items not used but removed from their packaging should also be discarded. Lining the container with plastic zip bags can make clean-up easier.
During the Procedure
Use new cups for pigment and anesthetic, and moisten single-use cotton pads with distilled water. Avoid re-dipping used applicators into bottles.
Be Extra Cautious
Treat every client as if they could carry bloodborne pathogens. This mindset helps you stay vigilant. Change gloves if anything seems amiss. It's better to be overly careful.
Post-Procedure Clean-Up
Separate waste into two bins: one for general waste like cotton pads and another specifically for used needles, which should go into a sharps container. Some suggest keeping the sharps container in another room and using a transport container for safety.
Using Sterilization Liquids
When using sterilization liquids or wipes, know how long they need to contact surfaces and any restrictions from your PMU machine's manufacturer. Use them sensibly, as too much can damage equipment.
While strict rules may not always require these practices, they are vital for maintaining professionalism. Some artists and medical experts suggest keeping the sharps container out of clients' sight for a more professional look.
Using Disposable Towels
For maximum hygiene, use disposable items where possible. In areas like washrooms, offer disposable towels to avoid multiple clients using the same towel. Keep non-disposable towels used by artists separate and out of clients’ sight to maintain cleanliness.
Ventilation is Crucial
Good air circulation is essential in the treatment area to remove fumes and dust. Although there are no strict rules for ventilation in cosmetic procedures, having a well-ventilated space is beneficial.
Cleaning the PMU Machine
Clean and disinfect the PMU machine, your main tool, before and after each use. Cover the power unit with barrier plastic and wipe it down with sterilization wipes after removal. For the handpiece, use an autoclave for sterilization if the manufacturer allows it. Autoclaving uses high-pressure steam to eliminate bacteria and viruses. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for sterilizing specific parts.
Avoiding Hygiene PR Mistakes
Maintain a professional standard in hygiene practices. Common mistakes by new artists include reusing brushes or razors, taking procedure photos with gloves on, or allowing pets in the salon. These hygiene errors can sometimes become digital PR issues if recorded and shared online. While these practices might not pose a health risk, they can damage your reputation. So, it's important to maintain high hygiene standards and ensure they are visibly upheld.
