Salon and Kinyozi procedures put you at a risk of certain diseases and infections. This happens when the place fails to comply with professional hygiene standards and safety protocols. With using disposables and with awareness about better hygienic practices, such incidences have come down dramatically. Yearly, thousands of customers pick diseases from salon and Kinyozi and sometimes chronic diseases like HIV..
1 STDs from Waxing
Waxing treatments are known to cause rashes and burns, but double dipping—that is, putting a wooden spatula back into the wax pot after it’s been used—poses a much more serious threat. If a spatula is being recycled, think about where it’s been. Many people who contract STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea don’t know it, especially if their symptoms are still dormant. The tainted wax acts as a vehicle, spreading the disease to unsuspecting customers. Depending on where people get waxed, they can develop infections on their face or even in their armpits.
2 Warts
They are the commonest salon acquired infection and can appear as growths anywhere on the body. But it mainly happens on the face, fingers and the treated area. Though topical lotions can be used to treat this condition, sometimes more advanced treatments like cauterisation or cryotherapy with a dermatologist is needed. Here is all that you need to know about warts.
3 Acne
Pimples and acne-like break outs are common after facials, waxing, threading as well as massages. This is a bacterial infection of the skin that can be treated with topical antibiotic gels. However, you must consult a dermatologist at the earliest to prevent scarring. Here are six home remedies for acne scar that really works.
4 HIV
“HIV can be transmitted through shaving at the barber,” says Dr Edward Manzo, a lecturer and private practitioner. “The machines used disrupt hair follicles and cause micro-cuts. This breaks the skin barrier (which is meant to protect us from pathogens) and any microbe can therefore be easily inoculated.”
5 Rashes
They can be infective, temporary or just inflammatory. You could experience itching, redness, boils, peeling of skin and even swelling of the area, accompanied by fever. If this happens, then a consultation with a skin specialist at the earliest is mandatory. Here are seven causes of skin rashes that you might not know.
6 Blood-Borne Infections from Barber Shops
The blue cleaning solution used at some barber shops doesn’t fully sterilize scissors and razors, tools that are occasionally exposed to blood. As with pedicures, shaving and haircuts can spread disease, most notoriously hepatitis B and C, if the tools used aren’t clean. Anything that nicks or breaks the skin can put you at risk, so verify that the materials are being properly cleaned or start doing the job at home (additionally, this is why you should never share a razor).
7 Dryness/ dandruff
Excess use of steam, facial packs or bleach, can rob your skin of moisturizers and lead to dry skin. Remember, an extremely dry skin can be like a haven for various bacteria and fungi to give you an infection. A rich moisturising cream or lotion must be applied on the affected area. If you notice symptoms like redness, itchiness or patches due to dryness, check with your dermatologist as early as possible. Here are 10 lesser known causes of dry skin that you need to know.
8 Molluscum ontagiosum
As the name suggests, this pox virus infection, common in children, spreads by sharing salon equipment. This is largely avoidable by using disposables. But if you see acne like build-up in your face with pain and fever, you shouldn’t sleep over the matter.
9 Herpes
Herpes or shingles that manifest as painful water filled blisters, usually in a linear distribution, is a viral infection that can spread while sharing instruments, towels, razors, etc. Though it can be totally treated by a dermatologist, this can be very distressing and can be avoided to a large extent if proper hygiene standards are maintained. Here are four things people suffering from herpes should never do.
10 Folliculitis
Infection of hair follicles following waxing and threading is common and happens mainly due to bacteria and is largely a result of trauma to the hair follicles. If the instruments are shared between clients, this can lead to infection too.
11 Ingrown hair
Though there are many causes for ingrowth on legs (mainly) post waxing, the most common cause is false waxing (incomplete waxing, where the hair follicles are left behind), which leads to hair to be trapped under the skin as hard nodular growths.
12 Nail fungal infection:
Fungal nail infections are more likely to occur in diabetics and also due to improperly cleaned instruments. In addition to this, damage to the nail bed can incite a fungal infection called onychomycosis. So if you see a change in nail shape, thickening or scaling below nails, nail lifting from the nail bed or increased brittleness, consult a dermatologist.
Paronychia (swollen, red and painful fingertips): Any damage to the cuticles, which actually seals the nail bed, can lead to infections. This is a very painful condition and can be treated with antibiotics.
13 Hepatitis from Pedicures
The abrasive metal tools used in pedicures sometimes cause bleeding, and if they’re not sterilized between uses, can transfer blood-borne illness to other customers. Pedicures are particularly notorious for spreading hepatitis B and C, which can develop into deadly cirrhosis or liver cancer. Many nail salons fail to meet sterilization protocol, so to stay safe, bring your own equipment (that you also sterilize) or give yourself a pedicure at home. If you have an infection or wound such as a cut or blister on your foot, you shouldn’t be getting a pedicure anyway. Sterilized or not, the hot water and chemicals can increase pain and worsen the infection.
How to avoid salon/ kinyozi acquired infection
- Check if the salon/ kinyozi professionals are licensed and trained.
- They should use disposable towels, sheets and other usables.
- The therapists must use gloves while working with clients and follow proper hygiene standards.
- The instruments must be cleaned and disinfected after single use.
- The working environment should be smoke-free and well lit.
- You could carry your own manicure-pedicure instruments like razors to be safe.
