NALA Decontamination Guide
*Disclaimer:
This guide has been developed by The NALA Board of Advisors and is intended for suggestion purposes only. It is the responsibility of the professional to ensure the safety of his/her clients and always execute safe practices and hygienic procedures. NALA employees, NALA volunteers, and the NALA President accept no responsibility or liability for any outcome related to these suggested practices and processes.
Definition of Decontamination.
de·con·ta·mi·na·tion
noun
The neutralization or removal of dangerous substances, viruses, or germs from an area, object, or person.
Levels of Decontamination.
Sterilization - Eliminates all forms of life and other biological agents.
Sterilization is required for any tool or instrument that is intended to puncture the skin or have contact with the puncture site. These tools are considered “Critical”.
Critical tools include (but are not limited to) tattoo needles, microblading needles, piercing needles, electrolysis needles, straight razors and lancets. These tools must be sterile upon use, and either sterilized between clients, or purchased as pre-sterilized, one-time use items, and disposed of in a sharps container.
Disinfection - Kills most microorganisms. There are three levels of disinfection - Low, Intermediate and High.
- High Level Disinfection (HLD) is required for tools that are considered “Semi-Critical”. Semi-Critical items are tools that will come into contact with non-intact skin, mucous membranes, and bodily fluid, but not puncture the skin or enter the puncture site.
Semi-Critical tools include but are not limited to cuticle nippers or scissors, hair removal tweezers, lash extension tools, silicone under-eye lash pads, and silicone lash lift/perm rods.
HLD kills vegetative bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, and some, but not all bacterial endospores.
- Intermediate Level Disinfection (ILD) is required for tools that are considered “Non-Critical”. Non-Critical items that require intermediate level disinfection are items that have the chance of coming into unplanned contact with non-intact skin or blood or bodily fluid exposure.
Tools in this category include foot basins, lash palettes and tiles, tattoo magnifying glasses.
ILD kills vegetative bacteria, mycobacteria, most fungi, enveloped viruses and most non-enveloped viruses.
- Low Level Disinfection (LLD) is required for tools that are (also) Non-Critical, but these are items that only come into contact with intact skin and no mucous membranes, or does not come into direct contact with a client.
Items in this Non-Critical category include doorknobs, combs, tables, chairs, massage table, sink handles, lights, and armrests.
LLD kills most vegetative bacteria, some fungi, enveloped viruses and some non-enveloped viruses.
Sanitization - A low level of disinfection that is deemed safe for use on the skin.
Recommended High Level disinfecting solutions for lash tweezers:
PreEmpt (Formerly Accel) CS20
PreEmpt HLD5
Prevention HLD8
Rejuvenate HLD8
Sporox
Cidex OPA
A solution containing 2% accelerated hydrogen peroxide or higher (7.5%) as the active ingredient.
DO NOT use these items for decontaminating your tweezers:
Glass bead sterilizer
UV sterilizer
Barbicide
Alcohol
Disinfecting wipes
Acetone
Boiling water
Microwave
Pressure Cooker
Dishwasher
Baby bottle sterilizer
Ultrasonic Cleanser
Step-by-Step Decontamination of Lash Tweezers.
For tools that come in contact with mucous membranes (eyes) and bodily fluids (tears).
Step 1. Remove adhesive from tweezers using professional adhesive remover or acetone.
Step 2. Wash tweezers with lukewarm soapy water to remove body oils and dirt.
Step 3. Rinse well and dry.
Step 4. Completely immerse tweezers in a high level disinfectant solution for the manufacturer’s recommended contact time.
Step 5. Remove the tweezers from the solution, wearing gloves, and rinse thoroughly with running water.
Step 6. Properly store disinfected tweezers in a clean, covered container, or cover tweezers with a clean towel until ready to be used.
Repeat these steps between EVERY client.
Step-by-Step Decontamination of Non-Critical Tools.
For tools that MAY come into accidental contact with bodily fluids (tears).
Step 1. Remove adhesive from any surfaces.
Step 2. Wash tools, such as lash mat, glue ring, jade stone, etc. with soap and water to remove dirt and oils.
Step 3. Rinse and dry.
Step 4. Completely immerse or saturate items in an intermediate level disinfectant solution for the manufacturer’s recommended contact time. (or you can use your high level disinfection solution).
Step 5. Remove the tools from the solution, wearing gloves, and rinse thoroughly with running water.
Step 6. Store disinfected tools in a clean, covered container, or cover tools with a clean, single-use towel until ready to be used.
Repeat these steps between EVERY client.
Decontamination of Workspace.
For surfaces that only come into contact with intact skin or do not come into direct contact with client.
Treatment table, bolster, and pillow/neck pillows must be cleaned with low level disinfectant and a disposable (or single-use) cloth after each client.
If linens or pillow cases are used, they must be changed between each client, and the table/pillow surface low level disinfected at the end of each day.
Lamp must be cleaned with a LLD and a disposable (or single-use) cloth after each client.
Door knobs and sink handles (if used) must be cleaned with disinfectant and a disposable (or single-use) cloth after each client.
Countertops, trolleys, trays, etc. must be cleaned with disinfectant and a disposable (or single-use) cloth after each client.
Repeat these steps between EVERY client.
Required Procedures used to Prevent Spreading Infection
- Wear disposable Nitrile gloves when servicing your client. Gloves must be changed after each client, or when they become visibly soiled or compromised.
- Masks must be worn over your nose and mouth when servicing your client. If using a procedure/surgical mask, it must be changed after each client.
- Set up a neat and tidy workspace and use hand sanitizer on your gloved hands whenever you touch something (adhesive bottle, lash trays, saline, timer, etc) before you touch your client again.
- Wipe all bottles, tubes, trays, everything you touched that will not be disposed of or does not need to be high level disinfected, with a disinfection wipe immediately after each client.
- Only dispense the amount of lashes needed for each client, and throw away any left over lashes. Never save the remainder of the strip to use on the same or a different client.
- While animals are not to be in your treatment space, registered service animals can be allowed in. In that case, you must undergo end of day disinfection protocols before allowing your next client(s) into your space.
