The Importance of Hygiene in Spa

The Cleanliness of a Spa plays a significant role in the success of the business. An unhygienic spa will not last long, its reputation will drop, and customers will steer clear from it, the spa will be bombarded with complaints, lawsuits, and even shut down for good by the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other government entities are closing spas that are not following health and safety guidelines.

Maintaining proper hygiene standards will also reduce the risk of harmful viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc. from spreading from one person to the next. That’s why it’s important to maintain proper hygiene in your Spa as this is not only for the good for your business but for your staff and clients too. Here in Thai Lotus BodyWork, we follow and adhere to strict rules to maintain high standards of hygiene and prevent harmful diseases such as the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from spreading.

 

Guidelines You Can Follow to Make Your Spa Spotless and Hygienic

 

1. Before disinfecting, be sure that you wash tools with water and soap after using them.
2. Use potent and strong EPA-registered antiseptics to make sure all bacteria and viruses are killed and dealt with.
3. Take note of the directions labeled on the antiseptics.
4. Avoid double-dipping during waxing sessions at all costs; this can contaminate the wax pot.
5. Make sure to sanitize your work surfaces between each session. Clean at the end of your shifts too.
6. Use disposable tools and materials as much as possible for quick and convenient clean up.
7. All disposable materials must be thrown away since they can’t be easily disinfected.
8. Massage Therapists must rinse their hands consistently since hand contact is one of the reasons for spreading pathogenic diseases.
9. Massage Therapists must start work every single day with a fresh and clean set of uniforms.
10. An extra uniform should be present in case massage therapist’s clothes should be dirtied or stained.
11. Clean and sterilize all needed tools and things before and after each session.
12. Utilize a tightly shut dispenser as your lubricant container.
13. Lubricants such as oils or lotions should not be placed back inside its containers if unintentionally spilled or used more than you need.
14. Follow proper sanitary guidelines provided by the EPA and CDC.

 

Guidelines Massage Therapists Can Follow to Keep a High Standard of Hygiene

1. Shower or take a bath every day and utilize antiperspirant products to help with sweat.
2. Stop using colognes, scented lotions, perfumes, etc. to respect the client’s possible sensitivities and allergies.
3. Massage therapists who have breaks or cuts on their skins should wear bandages or finger cots to avoid contaminating the clients.
4. Keep a cloth ready to wipe off sweats or use sweatbands to help with heavy perspiration.
5. Keep nails clipped and spotless to avoid injuring or scratching the client and spreading bacteria.
6. Be sure to wash your forearms and hands after every session.
7. Never proceed to the client’s face once you’re done massaging their feet.
8. Therapists should never be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while working with a client.
9. Before starting the massage session, examine the client’s skin for any visible skin disorders or infections.
10. If a skin disorder or infection is found but is not recognizable, please refer the client to a physician. A massage therapist should never diagnose clients on their own, and if they think they can recognize the medical condition.

 

When it comes to hygiene in spas, there are no exceptions. Everyone must follow the guidelines 100% of the time to ensure optimal cleanliness.

 

Consequences of Not Adhering to Proper Hygiene Practices

When spas do not follow proper practices to maintain high hygiene standards, there will be significant consequences to the business, the people involved, and the business in general. It’s important to get a copy of these guidelines from your state board. Here are some of the situations that may happen if you ignore proper hygiene practices.

 

1. Microbial Skin Infections– can spread through contaminated pedicure baths.
2. Fungal Infections– can be contracted from used gears that are not correctly sterile and cleaned.
3. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infection (MRSA)– can be contracted from uncleaned surfaces.
4. Athlete’s Foot – can be contracted from reused slippers that have not been properly clean and sanitized.
5. Negative Reputation and Media Attention – The more customers discover that the spa doesn’t practice proper hygiene etiquette, the more negative your reputation will be. If enough complaints and negative attention are directed at the spa, it might affect the flow of customers.
6. Lawsuits– clients can file lawsuits against the spa, costing it a lot of money and reputation loss.
7. Warning – the spa can receive a notification depending on the severity of the situation.
8. Shutdown – after a few warnings or if the offense is severe enough, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) can shut down the offending spa permanently.

 

Be Knowledgeable

Due to numerous incidents in wellness spas, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delivered precautions and instructions for customers and wellness spas to follow. These instructions are different for each state, so be sure to grab a copy of one in your state board. Be updated with the documents required by your state board. It also recommended keeping the MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheets nearby for all the products being used by the spa. The MSDS provides detailed information on how to safely and adequately use professional products.

 

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Keep up to date and look out for opportunities to further your knowledge regarding the different ways of sterilization, decontamination, and sanitation. You can do this by keeping communications with your state board to stay on top of the newest disease outbreaks.