Beauty may not be skin deep but infection is
The number of people going to beauty salons, both young and old, men and women, is increasing day by day. We also see TV programme focusing on the beneficial effect of beauty treatments, even though the beauticians offering advice on skin and hair care are not qualified medical personnel, posing potential risks to unsuspecting viewers.
There is no governing body in Sri Lanka to check the quality of the beauty salons and to assess the competence of people performing these procedures.
The skin is a delicate structure and the protective layer, shielding us from harmful elements and organisms which occur in the environment. If skin integrity is lost, we are subjected to various types of infections and other health problems such as contact dermatitis and allergies. Through injured skin we can acquire viruses like HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, along with bacterial infections and fungal infections.
Beauty salons use reusable tools to perform procedures on skin, nails and hair. Some procedures can lead to bleeding points that can contaminate these tools. But many salons have no facilities to decontaminate these tools between clients and those who perform these procedures are not aware of the need for decontamination. Some salons immerse these tools in a solution of disinfectant such as Dettol or Savlon, or pour hot water on them but such actions will not destroy harmful pathogens.
According to recently published data by the STD campaign in Sri Lanka, the number of HIV positive patients has increased during the first quarter of this year. Most of them are between 18 and 25 years. Such infected individuals may be visiting salons, and sometimes they themselves maybe unaware of their disease. Hepatitis B is more infectious than HIV and this infection can lead to cirrhosis and hepetacellular carcinoma. Hepatitis C is another chronic disease transmitted through blood which is difficult to treat.
If no proper precautions are observed, such infections, among others, could be transmitted among the clients of beauty salons.Among the bacterial infections, Community acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CMRSA) is a concern. MRSA is a type of drug resistant organism which can cause skin infections such as boils and abscesses. Since this is a drug resistant strain, infections caused by this bacterium are difficult to treat. Community acquired MRSA is more virulent than its non-drug resistant counterpart. These infections are spread by contact. If the towels or bed linen used by salons are not changed between clients and properly disinfected during the laundering process, such infections can be easily transmitted.
Manicure and pedicure treatments are popular among the clientele of beauty salons. Fungal infections of nails can easily spread if the tools used for these procedures are not properly decontaminated. Fungal infections of nails, for instance, needs long-term treatment. Cosmetics, drugs and devices authority officials should also keep a close eye on the promotion of skin care products and oral beauty enhancing products through the media. Cosmetic companies and media may promote products for financial benefits but it is the responsibility of health authorities to control them and give the public correct information.
When patronising a beauty salon, you have a right to ask about the decontamination procedure of the tools and linen. If you can afford to do so, it is better to take your own set of tools or towel when you go for your beauty treatment. (The writer is a retired Microbiologist)