All hairdressing salons, skin penetration operators and beauty salons are required to operate in a safe and hygienic manner, meeting their general duty under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 (the Public Health Act)
The Guideline on the Public Health Standards of Practice for Hairdressing (PDF 511KB) is designed to provide best practice information to ensure safe and hygienic premises and procedures.
These guidelines aim to minimise any harm to public health resulting from hairdresser's activities and speak specifically to infection risk, decontamination of equipment, disinfectants, operator hygiene and maintenance of cleanliness standards for hairdressing premises.
It is essential for hairdressers to know and understand the health implications of all procedures carried out and the precautions that must be taken to minimise health risks.
Where sterilisation of equipment is required, or where a hairdressing salon also offers skin penetration procedures (including waxing, pedicures and permanent makeup), the Guideline on the Public Health Standards of Practice for Hairdressing must be read in conjunction with the Guidelines on the Safe and Hygienic Practice of Skin Penetration.
The Guidelines on the Safe and Hygienic Practice of Skin Penetration are also relevant to other businesses where the practice of skin penetration procedures occur, including:
- acupuncture;
- tattooing;
- micropigmentation;
- body piercing;
- waxing;
- electrolysis; and
- other hair removal/beauty therapies.
It is essential that proprietors and their staff are fully aware of the potential risks associated with the above procedures and what they must do to minimise the likelihood of infection or spread of disease.