Have you ever thought about becoming a professional barber? Or maybe you are already studying to become a professional barber. Regardless of your status, there are few important things every aspiring barber must know about the infection control training program. Usually, Infection Control is 3 hours program, which covers the topics such as the proper methods of sanitation and sterilization and the transmission of contagious diseases. It is mandatory to complete infection control training program - HIV and transmission of contagious disease prevention training in order to obtain NY Master Barber License.
Nowadays, public health and sanitation standards have considerably improved, whereas risks like HIV and hepatitis are real life-threatening diseases in the barbershop. Techniques such as sanitation, sterilization, and disinfection are the best way to reduce the risks and are key to become a successful barber. But, many times ignoring sanitation and sterilization procedures can lead to certification and license revoked.
Methods of Infection Control
Every state has its own regulations for barbers and the practice of barbering. The regulations for barbering are comprehensive when it comes to sterilization and disinfection methods and other requirements, so it’s essential to get yourself familiar with specific laws of the place where you practice.
- Disinfection - This method consists of the application of an antimicrobial process or agent on to an object, which may no aim to remove all living organisms from an object.
- Sterilization – Sterilization involves destruction or removal of all biological agent and living organisms from an object.
Common methods used for disinfection
Disinfection in barbering is achieved in two ways:
- Chemicals - Chemicals are used to kill or destroy harmful microorganisms on materials, which cannot bear high temperatures such as plastic.
- Heat – We can make use of heat to kill microorganisms on metal tools that have no plastic parts.