Autoclave 101

When it comes to your nail services, are you getting what you pay for? You should expect (and get) a clean manicure with no problems to follow. Little does the common client know, some salons are not so sanitary. That’s why Oliver’s goes above and beyond to make your service as sanitary as possible. In this blog, I will explain why Oliver's takes sanitation seriously and uses an autoclave.

What Even is an Autoclave?

What exactly is an autoclave? For those of you who have never heard of an autoclave, you’re not alone. The autoclave originates in a medical setting, being used to clean and sanitize medical equipment that has been used in surgery. It’s a sterilization unit that uses water and steam at a high temperature to kill microorganisms, or as we refer to it, bacteria.

So… why are we using this in a salon?

Well, a nail tech uses tools while performing services such as pedicures and manicures. Fun fact: the average human hand has about 150 different species of bacteria living on it. So, using these tools then transfers those bacterias from the hands and to the tools. Also, if you have sensitive cuticles like I do, you bleed during manicures. Blood-born pathogens can also be transferred to and from tools. Do you really want to deal with all of that on a spa day?

The Dangers of Poor Sanitation

Salons should be held to a much higher standard when it comes to sanitation. If the tools used on you during your service are not properly sanitized, you could be at risk for a lot of things, as could the salon. Some states are required by law to use an autoclave. These laws are updated annually and each state has a different requirement. You can read each state’s specific requirements here. Pennsylvania requires that any tools that come in contact shall be sanitized immediately after each use and maintained in a sanitary condition at all times.

I have been to a few salons where I have witnessed a nail tech pull tools from the drawer and put them back in there after using them on me and that is a huge problem, especially when there is a possibility of me bleeding due to my sensitive cuticles. I should have said something, but I assumed that all salons just followed the rules.

Why Oliver's Uses an Autoclave

Here at Oliver’s, we take sanitation very seriously and follow the rules. Although Pennsylvania does not require salons to use autoclaves, we find that it’s best to keep our clients safe and reassured that they are getting exactly what they pay for. Going the extra mile is something Oliver’s is used to, so we are always on top of any new and safe way to improve our services. Some benefits of using the autoclave are a certified clean manicure, no risk of bacterial infection and peace of mind.

Oliver’s makes sure that we give our clients the best experience possible. We are focused on quality, not quantity of our services. Any sort of beauty service should be relaxing. You shouldn’t have to worry about the cleanliness of the tools being used during your service. Going the extra mile in sanitation makes sure that you’re happy with the service you receive, and our technicians can focus on their art without having to worry about their tools. We believe that every single one of our clients deserves to be treated like a queen.

Conclusion

Besides manicures and pedicures, Oliver’s has a wide range of other services that are conducted in a safe and sanitized way. Head to our website and check them out! Also, if you have any questions about our autoclave, tools or systems, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

The information about autoclaves came from here.

Our nail technicians are trained and updated with all of the sanitary requirements to perform various nail services. If you're interested in booking an appointment or have additional questions, call us at (610) 366-8808 or book online.