Feedback
October 2012
Salon and Spa Owner/Operator Feedback
INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
What we did
From June to August 2012 we conducted interviews and a focus group with owners and operators of salons and spas in
Waterloo Region. We also spoke to directors of schools in Kitchener and Waterloo that teach personal services offered in
salons and spas. The purpose was to discuss their experiences with infection prevention and control (IPAC), and to explore
ways in which Region of Waterloo Public Health can provide IPAC resources and supports. This report provides some key
learnings from this research.
We chose a random sample of salons and spas to contact,
and were able to conduct interviews with 18 owners/
operators of salons and spas and three school operators.
We also spoke to three additional owners/operators in a
focus group. We ranked these salons and spas according to
the highest risk service that they each offered. According
to our ranking, out of our participants, electrolysis is the
highest risk service, followed by manicure/pedicure, waxing/
hair removal, facials, and then tinting. Hair cutting/styling
services are considered separately because certification
is required for this trade. Figure 1 shows the number of
participants we spoke to who offered each of these services
as the highest risk service in their salons/spas.*
Figure 1: Highest risk service offered in
salons/spas interviewed
Hair cut/style
Facial
Waxing/hair removal
Electrolysis
Manicure/pedicure
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Number of salons/spas
14
* The majority of participants offered multiple services
at their salons/spas.
What you told us
The most important issues:
Participants would like more information on:
• Proper cleaning and disinfection of reusable tools
• Disposal vs. the disinfection of tools, and disposal of
hazardous waste
• Preventing the spread of
infection between
clients or between
clients and salon/
spa staff
• New products on the market that they can or should use
for infection prevention
• Changes in steps for cleaning/disinfecting tools and
equipment
• How to protect salon/spa staff from acquiring illnesses
from clients
• Salons/spas that are not practicing proper infection
prevention and control
• Changes in government regulations and requirements
• How to ensure a healthy work environment for employees
(regarding contact with salon chemicals)
What Region of Waterloo
Public Health plans to do
Based on what we learned from you,
there is a need for:
Based on your needs, we will be working on
the following:
• Clarity on proper infection prevention and control
practices related to salons/spas
• Updates on new products and procedures relating to
infection prevention and control practices
• Consistency in inspections and enforcement
• Making health inspection results public
❏❏ Piloting a semi-annual newsletter that will be emailed
to salon/spa owners and operators. We will strive
to provide updates on IPAC best practices, identify
helpful resources, and share related infection control
information
Conclusion
Region of Waterloo Public Health strives to provide salon/
spa owner/operators with the resources they need to operate
using best practices in infection prevention and control. We
appreciate the time you took to participate in this research,
and welcome your input and feedback.
❏❏ Offering a workshop for salon/spa owners and
operators as a learning opportunity for infection
prevention and control best practices
❏❏ Exploring the development of a disclosure website
so that owners/operators and the public can view
inspection results
❏❏ Establishing more consistency in health inspections
and the information provided during inspections
❏❏ Providing more electronic resources that are easy-toaccess (e.g. website updates, video clips)
❏❏ Providing more support and resources to colleges and
beauty schools through more direct contact
For more information on this study
contact:
Brenda Miller
Manager, Infection Control, Rabies, Vector-Borne
Diseases, Tobacco Enforcement and Kitchener and
Area Team
Region of Waterloo Public Health
Health Protection and Investigation
99 Regina St. S. Waterloo, ON N2J 4V3
519-883-2379 • 519-883-2226 (fax)
[email protected]
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ph