Lesson 3 in Nail Care Services

Maintenance of Tools and Equipment

With the growing number of people being conscious with their nails and the way to maintain
them and look clean and attractive, comes the high demand for the nail technicians and/or salon
owners to make sure that their nail care tools and equipment are all at their best.

Checking Conditions of Tools and Equipment

Sanitation and Sterilization

Sanitation is the formulation and application of measures designed to protect public health. It is
done to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Sterilization, on the other hand, is the destruction of all bacteria, whether they are harmful or
beneficial.

There are ways on how to perform sanitation and sterilization of nail care tools. Listed below are
the common ways of sterilization:

Boiling - requires the immersing of towels, linens or instruments in water heated to 212°F.

Steaming - requires an airtight chamber in which steam is generated from water by the
application of heat

Irradiation-exposing the implements or tools to ultra-violet rays in an enclosed cabinet.

In salon industry, the usual method used is a liquid disinfectant mixing. In this method, a
disinfectant is mixed with water where the tools and implements are immersed. Disinfectants kill
germs, viruses, fungus and dangerous bacteria. However, most disinfectants are harmful to the
skin. For this reason, avoid contact with the skin and read first the manufacturer's directions
before using disinfectants.

Sterilization can also be done on other implements like a nail file. In doing this, you should
scrub particles with a brush and warm soapy water. Nail file must also be immersed into wet
sterilizer before drying it.

Sterilizing tools can be done through different methods such as autoclave, ultraviolet, glass head
and chemical sterilization.

Autoclave Machine

Autoclave sterilizing sterilizes tools through high pressure steaming at a minimum heat of 121°C
at a duration of 15 minutes This method is best for stainless and glass tools.

Ultraviolet Sterilizer Machine

Ultraviolet is a method used mainly with equipment that has been sterilized already and needed
to be stored. This is only effective on surfaces it touches.

Glass Bead Sterilizer Machine

A glass bead is done by keeping the heat of 190°C - 300°C for about 30-60 minutes before the
use of tools. This is suitable only for small tools like tweezers and pushers

Chemical sterilization uses chemical sterilizer. The most common of them is barbicide. Here,
tools are immersed into the chemical solution before drying it. Since such solution is harmful to
the skin, an extra care in using this method is advised.

Proper Cleaning and Disinfection of Tools

Another way of maintaining cleanliness of manicure and pedicure tools is to disinfect them
Disinfection reduces number of harmful organisms. Proper disinfection requires the performance
of at least the following basic things

1. Proper mixture of disinfectant solutions,

2. Prevention of contamination by cleaning and rinsing the tools before immersing them into
disinfectant solution, and

3. Regular change of disinfectant solution as directed and/or prescribed.

Any surface that comes in contact with the clients' skin is considered "contaminated" Examples
of these are manicure table, finger bowls, towels or other implements. Such surfaces must be
thoroughly and properly cleaned and disinfected

A surface cannot be considered properly cleaned unless it has been scrubbed and made free from
any visible signs of debris or residue A total removal of all visible residues present in a sur face
is called proper cleaning. This must be done by complete and thorough rinsing using clear water.
Proper disinfection comes after proper cleaning. It is the destruction of potentially harmful or
infection-causing microorganisms.

Nail care implements could either be disposable (single use) or multi-used items. Disposables are
those manufactured items intended only for one use and are disposed after. It is unsanitary, im
proper and unprofessional practice to reuse these items. Examples of these are cotton balls, gauze
pads, wooden implements, disposable towel, toe separators, tissues, wooden sticks and other
kinds of abrasive files and buffers. Items that had been damaged during the disinfection process
must also be disposed.

Multi-used tools and equipment are those that can be used more than once. They are commonly
termed "disinfectable" Examples of these tools are manicure bowls, nippers and pushers. These
tools come in three varieties-hard and non-absorbent, porous or absorbent and self-disinfecting
tools.

Hard and non-absorbent tools do not absorb liquid. Porous are tools penetrated by liquid.
Examples of these are cloth and towel. Self-disinfecting tools are those that do not support
bacterial growth like the application of brushes used in nail polish.

Proper cleaning of such implements requires soap/detergent, water and disinfected scrub brush
for visible debris and residue removal. Proper cleaning is done by scrubbing the implement with
a clean and disinfected brush under running water. Remember that cleaning is entirely a different
step from disinfecting. An implement must be cleaned first before being disinfected. All
implements must be rinsed and dried thoroughly through the use of clean cloth or paper towel.

After properly cleaning all multi-used implements, they must be disinfected by completely
immersing them into an appropriate disinfecting solution. In general, disinfection takes for about
10 minutes. Removal of such implements from the solution needs disinfected tongs or gloves.
The use of those items shall prevent any skin contact with the disinfected solution. Disinfection
process, however, may change depending on the need or as stated on your implements
manufacturer's guide

The disinfectant must be mixed, used, stored and disposed according to the manufacturer'
instruction. Be cautious of the proper mixing ratio for the effectiveness of disinfectant. They mus
be freshly prepared every day and must be replaced immediately once it becomes visibly
contaminated. Spray bottles must also be freshly prepared. Remember that disinfectant solutions
lose the strength and effectiveness within 24 hours.

Disinfectants are ineffective when implements are not properly cleaned. Always pre-clea your
implements before spraying disinfectant. Disinfectants can damage metal implements if not
properly used. Also label your disinfectant bottles or containers to make sure you will be using
the appropriate disinfectant for intended implement

All brushes that are used for disinfection must also be thoroughly cleaned between uses and be
sure to precisely read all warning labels and follow instructions.

Pedicure Tools

Foot spas and basins must be cleaned after every client to ensure that the cleanliness of these
tools is maintained. In performing foot spa sanitation, you should drain all water from the basin
and scrub all visible residue from the inside walls of the basin. Use brush and liquid soap and wa
ter in scrubbing it. It is best to use clean and disinfected brush with handle in doing the sanitation
procedure for a better result. Rinse the basin after using with clean, clear water. Drain and dry
the basin using a clean paper towel.

Manicure Tools

Like pedicure tools, manicure tools or implements also need to be maintained and sanitized In
doing nail clipper sanitation, it is very vital that you prepare the materials you'll be using like
clean tissues, alcohol or alcohol-based cleaning wipes. Place nail clipper in a bowl of hot water
and then add an ample amount of liquid soap to the water. Soak the clipper for about 10 to 20
minutes before removing it and rinse with clear water. Make sure that no remnants of the soap
have been left on any of its parts. Dry the clipper with a clean towel.
Prepare a tissue wet with alcohol or alcohol-based disinfectant. Use this wet tissue in wiping nail
clipper's cutting edge. If nail clipper has a built-in nail file, wipe it, too, with alcohol. Wipe the
cutting edge again with a clean dry tissue. Place your nail clipper in a dry plastic bag and zip it
before storing it.