PREempt™ for Nail Technicians
Empowering Nail Technicians with Unparalleled Disinfection!
Table of Contents
Ensuring a clean and germ-free nail salon is essential to safeguard the health and well-being of both you and your valued clients. To help you uphold the highest standard of infection control, we have compiled a comprehensive list of measures to create a safe and secure space for everyone.
Reprocessing Tools and Instruments
Most tools used for nail or esthetic services may come into contact with non-intact skin; which is more susceptible to acquiring infections and the tools may become contaminate with blood or other bodily fluids; therefore, these tools are more likely to transmit pathogens.
Treat tools with a higher level of care when it comes to cleaning and disinfection to ensure a safe and healthy salon environment that also meets state regulations.
Reusable tools that can be disinfected are generally made from hard non-porous materials (glass, stainless steel, or hard plastic) and are able to endure frequent cleaning and disinfection between uses. All single-use tools must be disposed of after each client and must not be reused on the same client or on another client.
Reusable Tool Protocol
- Clean tools using water and detergent. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
- Pour PREempt HLD5 or PREempt CS20 directly into soaking tray. Do not dilute.
- Fully immerse tools in PREempt HLD5 for only 5 minutes or in PREempt CS20 for 20 minutes. Re-use solution for up to 14 days.*
- Rinse tools with water and dry manually using a clean cloth or disposable towel. Store in a clean container marked “DISINFECTED.”
*The solution must be discarded after 14 days or sooner. You can validate the reuse solution by using AHP2 Test Strips for HLD5 or AHPO7 Test Strips for CS20.
Ideal for disinfection of
- Nail Clippers
- Nippers
- Cuticle Pushers
- Comedone Extractors
- Reusable Foot Files
- Reusable Nail Files
- Drill Bits (Excl. carbide)
- Tweezers
- Reusable hard plastic & metal tools
Cleaning and Disinfecting Surfaces
Maintaining a clean and germ-free facility ensures your and your client’s safety and demonstrates your commitment to running a professional nail salon. Cleaning and disinfecting should occur after every client service or treatment and include all areas your staff or clients touched.
Clean and disinfect after every client service or treatment and include all areas your staff or clients touch.
Surface Disinfection Protocol
- Apply PREempt RTU Spray, Wipes or diluted Concentrate (1:40 dilution) to the surface. Remove any visible dirt or debris from surface or equipment prior to disinfecting.
- Allow the surface to remain wet for 3 minutes for PREempt RTU/Wipes and 5 minutes for diluted PREempt Concentrate to kill viruses, bacteria and fungi.
- Leave to air dry. If desired, wipe any excess solution using a clean cloth after the required contact time has been achieved.
Ideal for disinfection of
- Nail workstations
- Hot cabinets
- UV/LED Curing Lights
- Magnifying lamps
- Nail dryers and drying lamps
- Front desk/reception
- Manicure bowls and trays
- Tweezers for applying nail art
- Doorknobs and door handles
- Common area surfaces, racks, shelves
- Washroom surfaces
- Chairs, counters, tables, and seating areas
Cleaning and Disinfecting Pedicure Bowls and Foot Baths
Germs such as athlete’s foot and nail fungus, are a common concern for footbath equipment. Ensure you have the right disinfectant and protocols to get the job done right to protect your clients.
DID YOU KNOW? Foot baths can be circulating (whirlpool/piped) or non-circulating (basin-style). In recent years, the trend has been to move away from piped circulating foot baths because of the difficulty accessing the attached jets and pipes for cleaning and disinfection purposes. These internal jets and pipes are known to harbor various pathogens and harmful biofilms. Non-circulating or basin-style footbaths are like a sink with a simple drain and no internal piping. These types of footbaths may include detachable magnetic jets or other equipment to give the appearance of moving water, but no direct piping is hooked up. Once you determine what type of footbath you have, follow the correct protocol below:
Non-Circulating/Basin Foot Baths:
- Drain the basin and remove any visible debris.
- Remove any detachable filter screens, jets, and other removable parts from the basin. Clean the basin and detachable parts with a clean brush, detergent, or PREempt.
- Apply PREempt RTU Spray, Wipes, or diluted Concentrate to the surface and parts.
- Allow the surface and parts to remain wet for 3-5 minutes to kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
- Drain and rinse with clean water. Reattach any required parts.
Circulating/Piped Foot Baths
- Drain water from basin and remove visible debris.
- Remove any detachable filter screens, jets, and other removable parts from the basin. Clean the basin and detachable parts with a clean brush, detergent, or PREempt.
- Reattach any required parts. Fill the basin with cool water to above the jet line. Measure the volume of required PREempt Concentrate to make a 1:40 dilution (25mL Concentrate per 1 L Water) and add to basin.
- Due to size differences of circulating foot baths, it is recommended to measure the volume of water needed to fill the foot bath to above the jet line in order to identify how much disinfectant is needed.
- Allow the foot bath to circulate with the disinfectant for 30 seconds. Turn off jets and let solution sit for 5 minutes to kill viruses, bacteria and fungi.
- Drain the foot bath and refill with clean water. Circulate and rinse for 30 seconds. Turn off the jets and drain.
Showcase That You Care
Stand out from other salons and spas by communicating that you are prioritizing client health and safety. Here are a few ways to achieve that:
- Display signs or posters promoting hand hygiene in your nail salon.
- Encourage clients to wash or sanitize their hands before their appointment.
- Present your nail tools in a case labeled "disinfected/sterilized" or in a sterile pouch in front of your clients.
- Inform your clients that you have thoroughly cleaned and disinfected your workstation and tools before their service and encourage them to ask any questions or voice concerns, they may have.
- Use PREempt tent cards at each workstation to indicate that the area has been cleaned and disinfected.
- Apply PREempt decals on your storefront window or door to showcase your commitment to cleanliness.
Let your clients know you have their safety top of mind in your facility, on your website, on social channels, and on other marketing materials.
Keep It Green
Salons or Spas increasingly adopt eco-friendly practices and products to prioritize environmental sustainability. By choosing PREempt disinfectants, you already use a biodegradable formulation with an active ingredient that naturally decomposes into water and oxygen. This ensures that when you dispose of any used liquid, there is no environmental harm or accumulation. In line with its commitment to sustainability, PREempt has introduced Refill Wipes, allowing you to reuse your empty wipes canisters and significantly reduce plastic waste. Not only does this approach reduce plastic usage by 90% — compared to purchasing new plastic canisters — but it also helps you save money in the process.
Look for ways you can introduce more sustainable practices in your salon or spa, PREempt Wipe Refills are a great place to start.
Knowledge is Power
Knowledge is the best tool to combat germs and prevent the spread of infections. By reaching this point, you have already taken a significant step in becoming aware of the risks and learning how to mitigate them. Expanding your education is crucial, and obtaining our free Infection Prevention Certification is a great place to start. Upon completion, you can create your own customized certificate in the name of your salon or spa or have your staff get individually certified. Additionally, consider taking more in-depth courses to enhance your knowledge and expertise in infection control.
Get your salon or spa Infection Prevention Certified and display your elevated knowledge in your facility for your clients.
Following and implementing the best practices in your everyday routines can ensure a clean, safe, and germ-free environment for your staff and clients. Your commitment to maintaining high standards of infection control will not only protect everyone's health and set your facility apart as a professional and trustworthy establishment.
Regulatory Compliance
Each province and territory in Canada regulates Personal Service Establishments and publishes guidelines that must be followed. Additionally, certain regions and municipalities have by-laws that must be complied with. These regulatory bodies ensure that personal service workers meet specific educational requirements, maintain ethical standards, and provide safe and effective care to their clients. It's important for personal service workers in Canada to be familiar with applicable guidelines and maintain professional standards, including adherence to proper cleaning and disinfecting practices.
View list of regulatory bodies for personal service workers in each province and territory in Canada.
