Every time we board an airplane, the crew is already busy going through their pre-flight checklists to ensure the safety of passengers and crew in preparation for take-off. Once underway, travelers are provided with emergency instructions, and printed guides are within easy reach in every seat pocket to refamiliarize us with the plane‘s safety procedures. These routines, among many others, have made the airline industry one of the safest forms of travel in the United States.
With the coronavirus pandemic, the need to protect worker and client safety has taken a shift in how beauty professionals deliver their services and treatments similar to airline take-off preparations. In addition, the risk of exposure to pathogens that can spread deadly infection has underscored the need for the equivalent of pre-flight checklists and accessible guidelines in salons and spas. Only with a standard set of practices and routines in place can the pro beauty industry open with confidence given the profound challenges it is presently facing.
In addition to the psychological benefits of knowing your pro beauty establishment is addressing the threat of lingering pathogens, here are FIVE REASONS why you should be implementing a PROTOCOL STRATEGY in your spa or salon:
Stopping the spread of pathogens is a team effort—everyone needs to do their part. However, there are widely different practices and levels of awareness concerning proper product selection, application, and use directions for disinfection. Therefore, the need for a single standard of germicidal activity for facility disinfection ensures the job is done correctly by everyone each time.
Not all areas within a spa or salon pose the same risk level of exposure to pathogens. And while it‘s good to take additional precautions during any outbreak, awareness of high client touchpoints should be specially noted. By isolating each workstation, each treatment area, and each potential opportunity for cross–contamination and infection, protocols help take the necessary measures to identify and address these potential hot spots.
One disinfecting product for work stations, another for reception, treatment areas, washrooms, door handles, equipment, etc. is no way to ensure consistency and universally applied standards. A written protocol eliminates the guesswork and uncertainty of what cleaner/disinfectants to use, the pathogens being targeted, application methods, contact times, disposal, and any user safety precautions (like the use of PPE). One protocol—one way of doing things—one solution.
Once a spa or salon has developed a set of protocols, they can be printed out for posting near each workstation, treatment area, and other potential sources of contamination. Not only will this remind staff of their cleaning and disinfecting responsibilities between each appointment, but clients are also presented with a visual reminder that proper disinfection practices are in place and being regularly followed.
In times of uncertainty, your clients need reassurance to know spas and salons are doing everything they can to make for a safe environment free from the potential exposure to deadly pathogens. Disinfection protocols deliver confidence and peace of mind knowing there‘s one less thing to worry about in the day-to-day, safe running of your facility.
Not sure how to implement a Protocol Strategy in your spa or salon? Rejuvenate™ offers an easy way to create your disinfection protocols for your service, treatment, and public areas. It‘s quick, easy, and FREE. To learn more about this new protocol builder tool, please visit LearnAboutRejuvenate.com or WATCH VIDEO.