Personal Protection
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I use personal protective wear in my spa or salon?
The two most common personal protective wear items that you can use in a spa or a salon are face masks and gloves. Some health organizations also recommend wearing a protective gown and eye gear, depending on the type of service that is being offered. Face protection includes disposable or reusable cloth masks, face shields, and N95 respirators. When deciding which personal protective gear you should be using in your workplace consider the chemicals involved in your occupation. For example, if you work in a nail salon you should always wear gloves to protect your hands from chemical exposure. Make sure to always follow the standard regulations in your industry.
Why is it important to wear personal protective equipment when working with the public?
It is extremely important to wear personal protective equipment or PPE apparel because it helps prevent injury, illnesses, and death. It helps protect workers against health hazards and against health or safety risks at the workplace.
Healthcare professionals in fields such as massage therapy, acupuncture, medicine, and physical therapy are encouraged to wear different types of personal protective wear including:
- A PPE gown
- Face protection (a PPE mask, face shields, or respirators)
- PPE gloves (exam gloves or surgical gloves)
Are face masks effective?
Yes, face masks can help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially if they are combined with other preventative measures such as vaccination, frequent hand-washing, and social distancing. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people wear masks both in public areas as well as in closed spaces.
Make sure to clean your hands before and after you touch your mask and while wearing it make sure that it covers your mouth, nose, and chin. Store your mask in a clean plastic bag and wash it every day if it is reusable. Also, don't use masks with valves.
What are the differences between basic face masks, face shields, and N95 masks?
A basic face mask (or a disposable/reusable mask) is usually made out of cloth or cotton and offers only limited protection against COVID-19. A face shield is a piece of plastic that is longer and covers a person's face and neck and offers complete protection against any liquids or droplets.
An N95 mask is an advanced mask that contains better filtration and a tighter fit. The N95 respirator edges are designed to form a protective seal around the nose and mouth of the wearer and provide a more effective filtration system against airborne particles.
What are the differences between the various types of disposable exam gloves and what are they used for?
There are several types of disposable exam gloves that you could use to protect yourself in your line of work. The most common type of exam gloves is latex gloves which have been around since the 1980s and 1990s. Latex is the most durable material and offers high levels of flexibility, comfort, and protection. Latex gloves are used in most medical environments and are relatively cost-effective.
For people that have an allergy to latex or don't need the advanced protection that latex gloves are suitable for there are two more alternatives - vinyl and nitrile. Vinyl gloves are made from PVC, a petroleum-based film. They are less durable than latex and offer limited protection against chemical and biological hazards. They are commonly used in non-hazardous or non-infectious environments.
Nitrile gloves are not as flexible as latex or vinyl gloves but are the most durable and resistant to chemicals out of the three. They are extremely puncture-resistant and perfect for most medical environments.