Oct 05, 2012 at 11:12am

The hair dressing salon is where women go to get pampered and beautified. We could spend hours in there!

But what informs your decision when choosing a particular beauty salon to take care of all your beauty needs? Is it the location, the sophisticated equipment the salon uses, the owner or the stylist in charge or the renowned name the salon has?

All these are important but not all matters. The most important things are, the stylist should be a professional and the hygiene standards of the salon should be unquestionable.

One can easily get fungal and bacterial infections and serious conditions like Hepatitis B and HIV in a salon. This is no secret; people are well aware of this but somehow, we don’t seem to care.

Here are some indicators to look out for in your beauty salon. If they are absent, re-consider patronizing their services.

What is the general environment like? Is the place untidy and uninviting? Are hair pieces lying all over the floor? Are wet towels left all the salon space? Is it airy, spacious? Are salon equipment and gadgets poorly managed and handled? Such an environment is a breeding place for bacteria and this should easily be an indicator of the hygienic standards being practiced in the salon.

You should also look out for any sterilization equipments. Don’t be deceived because most salons have this equipment, but its either they are not functioning properly and or it’s just a decorative piece. So check if it is really functioning and being used for the purpose for which is was created. Salon instruments like scissors, tweezers, clippers, combs should compulsorily be sterilized by UV or germicidal bulbs.

A good salon should have floors, counters and chairs that can easily be wiped clean and rollers should also be washed at the end of every working day to remove hair and germs. Personal hygiene is also very essential. Research has shown that more 85% of transmitted infections in a salon are due to lack of personal hygiene among the salon staff and improper sanitation within the salon.

Salon staff should use gloves when necessary. This is very basic; your beautician should wash his or her hands thoroughly before starting a beauty treatment.

Towels should be clean, dry and should be washed regularly. Instruments used for pedicure and manicure should also be sterilized or disposed off when necessary after being used on another customer.

Be bold to question your beautician if you have any doubts or questions. If you can take along with you your own stuff like combs, towels, scissors, rollers, feel free to do so and don’t be bothered about what people will think or say. Your health should be paramount. Better still, change salons if you have to.


By: Efua Idan Osam/Citifmonline.com/Ghan a