Infection Control in Beauty Services—Ensuring Client Safety

Why licensure, sanitation, and ethical practice matter

Last week the New York Department of State issued a public warning after conducting inspections on over 200 businesses offering unauthorized “med spa” services across the state. Investigators found unlicensed providers, expired and suspected counterfeit products, improper needle handling, and unsanitary conditions—some of which resulted in serious client injuries, skin damage and hospitalization.

You can read the full consumer warning directly on the New York Department of State’s website (content warning: includes graphic images).

While these findings are alarming, they also highlight an important and often overlooked topic in the beauty and wellness industry: infection control.

Infection control is about protecting client safety, maintaining professional integrity, and ensuring that beauty services are delivered safely and responsibly. This includes your facials, lashes, eyebrows, hair, beard, manicures and pedicures.

To help you understand its importance and implementation, here’s what you need to know:

What is Infection Control?

Infection control refers to the methods used to eliminate or reduce transmission of bacteria, viruses and fungi from one individual to another. Since transmission can occur through contaminated tools or equipment, regular infection control protocol must be a top priority wherever beauty services are provided.

| A space that appears clean may still be unsafe.

Core Principles of Infection Control

An effective infection control protocol is based on four core principles: cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting and sterilizing. Each step serves a distinct purpose, and skipping or misusing any of them can compromise client safety.

1. Cleaning is the physical removal of visible debris, product residue and oil from tools, equipment, and surfaces using soap or detergent and water. Without thorough cleaning, disinfectants cannot work effectively.

   1. What cleaning does:

      1. Reduces the number of microorganisms present

      2. Prepares items for proper sanitizing

2. Sanitizing reduces the number of microorganisms on surfaces to a level considered safe by public health standards, using approved sanitizing agents.

   1. What sanitizing does:

      1. Lowers bacteria levels on non-porous surfaces and tools (metals and plastics)

      2. Helps maintain a safer environment between clients

3. Disinfecting is the chemical process of destroying bacteria, viruses and fungi (except bacterial spores) on cleaned, non-porous tools and surfaces using an EPA-registered disinfectant. Disinfection is standard for many reusable tools used in esthetics when sterilization is not required.

   1. Key points about disinfecting:

      1. Not all disinfectants kill all organisms

      2. Products must be used according to manufacturer instructions and proper contact time is critical. Contact time is the period of time that the solution must be in contact with the items or surfaces to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi.

      3. Any items that can absorb water are considered porous and CANNOT be disinfected. These are considered single use and should be disposed of after use.

      4. EPA-registered BARBICIDE is one of the most recognized disinfectants in the beauty industry. It's potent blue color is hard to miss. But if it's not being used correctly, you may still be at risk. Effective BARBICIDE use requires: the correct mix and concentration, 10 minute contact time and a fresh solution mix daily.

4. Sterilizing is the process of destroying all microorganisms, including spores, generally with the use of a sterilizer or autoclave. Sterilization requirements depend on the service being performed and the provider’s scope of practice.

   1. Important distinctions:

      1. Not all tools can be sterilized

      2. Some services legally require sterile, single-use items

      3. Improper reuse of needles or sharps is extremely dangerous and illegal

Why Infection Control Matters in Beauty Services

In addition to being the largest organ of the body, your skin is the body’s first line of defense. Some beauty treatments can temporarily disrupt the protective barrier and when infection control protocols are inadequate, this creates an opportunity for microorganisms to enter the skin.

Potential complications aren’t always immediate. Infections can develop days later and may result in:

• Prolonged inflammation

• Scarring or pigmentation issues

• Systemic infections

• Hospitalization in severe cases

The Role Beauty Providers Play in Client Safety

Beauty professionals are not just service providers—we are caretakers of client health and trust. This responsibility includes:

• Understanding and respecting scope of practice

• Following state regulations and licensing requirements

• Implementing consistent infection control protocols

• Refusing to perform services outside of legal or ethical boundaries

Proper training and licensure exist for a reason, and ethical providers should be working within those frameworks to protect the people they serve. Responsible, safety-focused providers consistently:

• Wash and sanitize hands before and after every client

• Use appropriate PPE when required

• Follow strict tool cleaning and disinfection protocols

• Use single-use items when required

• Sanitize treatment rooms between every client

• Stay within their licensed scope of practice

• Stay informed with regulations and best practices

These steps are not “extra”—they are foundational.

Advocate for Your Safety

As a client you deserve transparency and should feel empowered to ask questions to protect yourself. It’s not rude to seek clarity. Consider asking your provider questions like:

• What license do you hold for this service?

• How are tools cleaned and disinfected?

• Is this treatment within your scope of practice?

• What aftercare is recommended to reduce infection risk?

• Why isn’t a consultation required before this treatment?

• Where do your products come from—authorized distributors or third-party sources?

• Is this equipment appropriate for my skin type and concerns?

• What are the potential risks or side effects of this treatment?

Infection control is more than a regulation—it’s the foundation of safe, ethical, and professional care. Recent changes in New York State underscore the vital role informed clients and responsible providers play in building trust and ensuring safety for everyone.

If you ever have concerns about a service or safety procedure, remember you deserve clear, knowledgeable answers. By advocating for yourself and expecting the highest standards, you help elevate the entire industry—one safe treatment at a time.