We all know the terms 'wash hands', 'cleaning' and 'disinfect'. These are terms that PMU specialists deal with every day and are sometimes used interchangeably. But in what situation do you have to deal with cleaning, cleaning or disinfecting during the mapping process, and how do you prevent cross-contamination?
During a PMU treatment, abrasions are created in the skin. In a healthy person, this triggers a natural immune response from the body and causes body fluids to be released in the form of wound fluid and blood. A wound or skin defect can also occur when plucking and plucking the eyebrows. This can be done with an epilator blade, but reusable eyebrow scissors and tweezers can also cause wounds and skin defects. In the event that the tweezers or scissors are not adequately disinfected and it creates a wound, the customer runs the risk of contracting a bacterial infection, among other things. Practicing good hygiene in the studio is therefore very important to prevent these situations and it actually starts with applying hand hygiene.
Wash or disinfect hands?
Hand hygiene is simply a collective term for washing hands with soap and water or disinfecting hands with hand disinfectant (e.g. Sterillium). The ultimate goal is to inactivate or remove the transmissible microorganisms on hands, regardless of the natural skin bacteria.
Some tips
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after a customer or treatment, after eating, after visiting the toilet, after touching animals, after cleaning, after coughing, after sneezing or blowing the nose (also when using tissues).
- Disinfecting your hands in between with a hand disinfectant (such as Sterillium) may be used as long as your hands are visibly clean and do not feel sticky.
- Wear gloves during, among other things: performing activities where you may come into contact with blood and wound fluid. This also applies when mapping the treatment area where you use sharp objects.
- Do not wear artificial nails, nail polish and hand and wrist jewelry (including watches) during a PMU treatment.
- Do you use materials that are reused, such as scissors and tweezers? Make sure they are properly cleaned and disinfected before using them on the disinfected treatment area.
Pro tip:
Read here more details and requirements from the RIVM about hand hygiene and see here an illustration about applying hand hygiene in practice.
Cleaning and disinfecting the treatment area during mapping process
Preparing the skin for a PMU treatment involves cleaning and disinfecting, and where necessary, shaving the skin prior to tattooing (RIVM, 2022).
As a PMU specialist, you can clean the skin with a ready-made green soap solution or diluted green soap concentrate that is suitable for use on open skin. Practice shows that some PMU specialists use the product Sterillium to disinfect the eyebrows or lips. Due to its liquid composition, Sterillium is only suitable for disinfecting hands
To disinfect the skin you can use Dettol Wound Spray, for example. It is important to adhere to the contact time of the liquid. This is usually stated on the label. If not, wait until the skin is dry to continue the process.
Some tips
- Check the treatment area to ensure it is clean (including make-up free) and free of signs of infection, allergy, dermatitis, wounds, cuts and rashes.
- Never touch the cleaned and disinfected treatment area with your bare hands.
Click here to check whether the products you use to clean and disinfect the skin are permitted and approved.
"By following these tips you will ensure hygiene mapping process in the studio."
