A number of infection can occur during hairdressing procedures in hair salons. Hairdressing equipments such as  razors, scissors, combs, clippers and hairpins can accidentally penetrate the skin of the customers. Blood and body fluids should  not  be visible on the instruments, equipments or working surfaces for infection may be transmitted through these instruments. Both the customers and the hairdressers can be  at the risk of such infections.

The hair stylist should take proper care if  their clients have any skin lesions such as prominent moles. If the hair salons perform other personal care and body procedures, including skin penetration, then the operators must comply with the NSW Health Department’s Skin Penetration Guidelines.

There are a number of hazards in hair salons.
The various risks in  hair salons  are:

Infection
Infection can be spread in the hair salon when the instruments and equipments used on customers are not properly cleaned or  handled in a hygienic manner or when the interiors of a hair salon are kept unclean or are unrepaired.  Infections that can be spread in hair salons include skin infection on the scalp, face and neck such as impetigo, also known as school sores and fungal infections such as tinea  capitis and ringworm.

Blood-Borne Viruses
Hair Salons should avoid the risk of transmitting a serious disease such as hepatitis B and C and HIV that can occur while using razors, scissors or clippers. Contaminated instruments can transfer infection directly to the blood of  the hairstylist or the customer  if that individual has open cuts or sores.

Burns
Hair salons should avoid burns that can occur during hairdressing when hot rollers and  tongs are used . Burns  can also occur when hair is being washed with hot water or when stationary or hand-held dryers are used improperly.

General Hairdressing Equipment in hair salons
All razors and blades are considered to be contaminated with blood, body fluids or substances after use. Routine cleaning of razor blades is not enough  to minimize the risk of transmission of blood-borne diseases. The safest and most efficient way of preventing the spread of these diseases is to use single-use items.

Single Use (disposable) Razors
If the razor is a single-use type, then it must not be used again on another customer and must be disposed off into a suitable container immediately after use.

Single Use (disposable) Blades
Where a safety-type razor is used, remove the blade from the razor. Dispose off the blade. The blade holder must be cleaned and disinfected. If contaminated, it must be sterilized or disposed off. Do not use the razor again until these measures have been taken.

Electric Razors
Electric razor blades are also contaminated with blood, body fluids or substances after use. Electric razors are therefore not recommended for use on customers by hair salons.

Razor Haircutting by hair salons
Razors should be used so that the hairdresser  can see the blade at all times. Blades may scrape the skin and become contaminated. Razor blades used for hair cutting should be changed after each customer, and the blade should be disposed off into a container. The handle should be washed and dried after the blade has been removed; if contaminated, it should also be sterilized.

Clippers used in hair salons
Clippers should be used in such a way that the hairstylist  can see the tip of the clipper at all times. Clippers should be dismantled after each use and thoroughly cleaned before being used on another customer. If contamination occurs then the clipper blades must be dismantled, cleaned and sterilized.

Cleaning and Sterilization of Hairdressing Equipment
Over the years many types of disinfecting solutions have been used in the hair salons. The use of disinfectants requires hairstylist  to apply these solutions according to the instructions of the  manufacturer’s.