Personal Services, Beauty and Body Art Health Standards

Infection can spread through blood or body fluids on dirty tools and work surfaces. Infections can be spread even when skin penetration does not happen. Personal services staff are required to protect you from infection. You can also help protect yourself by getting a Hepatitis B vaccine and not having services performed anywhere you have an infection, cut or open wound. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a service:

• Work stations should be clean, well-lit and organized.
• Tools and equipment should be in good condition, clean and kept covered until ready for use.
• All pre-packaged, pre-sterilized equipment should be opened in front of you, at the time of service.
• All reusable items must be cleaned and disinfected after each client.
• The service provider should wash their hands before starting a service.
• The service provider should use gloves if they are performing an invasive service or if contact with blood or body fluid is expected.
• Watch our salon and spa safety video for more details on specific health standards for a variety of services. 

Ask the service provider questions about their infection prevention practices and refuse any service if you feel unsafe. If you suspect the service is not following infection prevention practices, file a complaint with Public Health.

Making a personal service business health complaint

Seek medical attention immediately if you develop a rash, an infection or are feeling unwell after going to a personal service setting.

Submit a complaint to Public Health if you:

• Develop an infection after receiving a service at a personal service business
• Have concerns about the infection prevention practices or the sanitary condition of a personal service business in Waterloo Region

Call 519-575-4400 to make a complaint or report online on our Check it! We inspect it website. This site also includes public health inspection results throughout Waterloo Region.

It is helpful for our investigation to know:

• When you went to the personal service business
• Which services you received
• What symptoms you have and when they first developed

Information for business operators

Opening or re-opening a service

You must notify Public Health if you are planning to open or re-open a new or renovated personal service site. To do this, submit a Personal Service Settings Notice of Operation Form.

Preventing infection

Service providers can help prevent infection by:

• Washing their hands before and after each client
• Using personal protective equipment when needed (for example, gloves)
• Discarding single-use tools and instruments after each client
• Cleaning and disinfecting reusable tools and instruments properly
• Keeping records of accidental blood or body fluid exposures
• Declining service to clients with skin or nail infections

Tools and instruments

Single-use tools and instruments, like emery boards, wooden foot paddles, nail buffers and wax cartridges, must be discarded after each client.

Discard used needles, blades and other sharp objects into a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container with a tight-fitting lid. It should be properly labelled with a biohazard sign.

Reusable tools and instruments, like nail clippers, scissors, tweezers, combs and brushes, must be cleaned and disinfected properly after each use. Using the following five-step method:

1. Presoak: In cool water, soak instruments that cannot be immediately cleaned with water and detergent.
2. Clean: Clean with warm water and detergent. Use a scrub brush or ultrasonic cleaner and utility gloves.
3. Rinse: Rinse under warm running water.
4. Air dry: Air dry and store in a clean, covered container until ready to disinfect or sterilize.
5. Disinfect or sterilize: Disinfect by soaking in an appropriate disinfectant for the required contact time. Sanitize using a CSA-approved autoclave or dry heat sterilizer. Multi-use items that penetrate the skin and come in contact with blood or body fluid must be sterilized. Other multi-use items may be disinfected.

Use our printable resources as a quick guide in your business on proper cleaning methods for tools:

• How to Clean Instruments - English (printable resource)
• How to Clean Instruments - Vietnamese (printable resource)

For more information on proper cleaning, disinfection and sterilization methods refer to Public Health Ontario's Guide to Infection Prevention and Control in Personal Service Settings.

Inspections

Public health inspectors observe, ask questions about infection prevention and check premises and equipment. Inspectors also provide education to owners, operators and staff about safe practices that reduce the risk of transmitting infections. This protects your business and the health of your clients and staff.

Operators receive a copy of the inspection report once the inspection is complete. The report indicates any corrective actions needed and the date by which the correction is expected to be completed. A re-inspection may occur to confirm that the correction has been made.

A business may be ordered to remove an immediate risk, close or stop providing a service if a serious problem is identified that poses an immediate health risk.

All inspections and re-inspections are posted on Check it! We inspect it.

Accidental blood exposure during service

Take the following steps if an accidental exposure to blood or other body fluids occurs at your business:

• Wear single-use gloves before handling or dressing the wound.
• Wash the affected area with water and soap (preferably a germicidal soap) for at least 20 seconds.
• If the area is bleeding, allow it to bleed freely. Styptic pencils should not be used to stop the flow of blood.
• After cleaning the wound, apply a skin antiseptic and cover with a clean dressing or bandage.
• If there has been a splash onto a mucous membrane, flush the area thoroughly with water.
• The person exposed should be advised to seek medical attention.
• Document all incidents using this printable Accidental Exposure Incident Report Form. 
• Keep incident records on site for a minimum of one year and on file for a minimum of five years.
• Dispose of any single-use items used during the procedure.
• Clean and disinfect work surfaces and any reusable instruments used during the procedure.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after cleaning up.

Tanning bed regulations

Youth are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The Skin Cancer Prevention Act prevents people under 18 years old from using tanning beds.

Tanning bed operators must:

• Prohibit tanning services for and marketing to people under 18
• Request ID from anyone who looks under the age of 25
• Prohibit all tanning without the presence of an attendant
• Post health warning and identification signs
  
• Require all users to wear protective eyewear