Infection control and antiseptic?

Hair Removal Methods Do-It-Yourself Electrolysis
#1

I’m in process of going through some of the infection control guidelines for electrolysis and I’m wondering about a few things.
Amoung the recommendations is the use of a pre and post treatment antiseptic. I’m wondering what people use for this? Specific products?

The guidelines I’m currently looking at are US based, but I’m wondering if anyone has a link to current canadian requirements?

Also, for sterilization I’m wondering what most folks are using as a method to accomplish this, especially on treatment instruments like tweezers. Autoclaves seem like the way to go, but as most of them go for $1500+ I’m betting some folks are using other methods? What comes recommended?
I dont see myself sterilizing alot of probes, but I do have a whole bunch of expired probes I got a while ago from a retiring electrolysist. Well expired some as long ago as 96, and mostly sealed, except for a couple boxes of laurier probes. Are there special considerations for this? I’m betting the packaging probably wouldnt survive autoclaving, should I just toss them all? I would think that the thin metal f the probbe might not put up well with the high temperatures involved in an autoclave?

Seana

#2

plenty of affordable autoclaves out there.

I would not discard those old probes. If you are working on yourself, just use them. It is not like they spoil like milk.

additionally, some manufacturers have a probe/needle exchange program, and for the cost of shipping, you could have new ones.

The probes hold up just fine to autoclaving. I’m not sure if the Ballet packaging is heat stable plastic, as they don’t autoclave them, they gamma ray theirs. Maybe some one knows if the packaging is heat stable.

#3

I’ve spoken with both Bill Schuler (Hinkel) and Jim Paisner (Ballet) about “dated needles.” It’s all about FDA rules and has virtually nothing to do with actual “sterility” issues. Same with medications too, as my pharmacist friend tells me, medications last years longer than the stated “expiration date.”

Here’s the point: What contagious “human” pathogen do you think is going to get into a closed needle container? They “don’t spoil like milk” is a good analogy. Just use the needles.

#4

ok, but what about sterilizing instruments? I have three sets of tweezers I use, and for the moment while I’m working on myself I just boil the snot out of them for 30 minutes or so. When working on others though ( and I do have a few volunteers for non-face practise) is boiling them sufficient? Should I look at some of these " pressure cooker " autoclaves available on ebay for $400 or so?

Also I’m curious what people use for an antiseptic both on the patient and on secondary surfaces such as the control panel of the eplator, on a esthetics bed. I tend to use some 99% rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab before and after on myself, but I’m wondering about specific products that people use of if what I’m doing is sufficient. I’m really wanting especially in the short term to establish best good practises in this regard.

Seana

#5

I just showed you an autoclave for $149.00 buy it now.

#6

Apparently I missed that. I’m a little concerned about the lack of pressurization in it, not sure what it would cost to repalce seals. Also by this:
May not ship to Canada - Read item description or contact seller for shipping options.

I’ll have to keep my eyes out . It’ll be a bit before I can put more money out, due to the memory card expense.

As a side note, I found the guidelines by the ministry of health for Ontario. Oddly enough, items like tweezers arent required to be sterilized, just cleaned with detergent, then treated with a high level disinfectant like bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Sterilization appears only nezessary when they are used to break the skin such as removing ingrown hairs. In answer to my own question, Ontario’s guidelines are fond here:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/oph_standards/docs/pssp_2008.pdf

#7

3 years ago the health inspector didn’t want us using an autoclave anymore and told us to use a bleach mixture for our forceps. Then we were told not to use bleach anymore but to use Accel solution for the forceps and needle tips after every client, so we do. I think a jug of 5 minute solution is about $35 in Canada.

I use a little bit of alcohol before hand to clean the area, but no too much because it seems to tighten the pores. After treatment I use witch-hazel. Depending on the client and how they usually react, sometimes I will use aloe to soothe or tea tree oil if they tend to break out.

#8

current ontario health department guidelines still says to use bleach or a 7% hydrogen peroxide solution or in OPA. Maybe that’s what Accel is I’m unfamiliar with it… Autoclave is preferred though and required if you re doing anything that is breaking the skin . I’m not sure why the health inspector woould instruct you not to use an autoclave? It’s not the first time I’ve heard this though, there’s someone from one of the european countries who mentioned it for their jurisdiction recently.I’ve no idea what the rationale is , since it’s safer than anything else from my understanding.
What they definitely dont want to see is a glass bead sterilizer, but I’ve seen one prominantly displayed in a recent equipment for sale ad by a retiring practitioner.

Seana