{"id":61462,"date":"2023-03-23T18:13:14","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T18:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nailknowledge.org\/?p=61462"},"modified":"2026-06-19T15:40:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T15:40:18","slug":"la-importancia-de-la-higiene-en-el-sector-de-las-unas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nailknowledge.org\/es\/blog\/the-importance-of-hygiene-in-the-nail-industry","title":{"rendered":"La importancia de la higiene en el sector de las u\u00f1as"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you work in a salon or are mobile, hygiene and infection control should be high on your agenda of importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t Skimp on Hygiene Education: Lessons from Lockdown<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So many courses skip a lot of this education. I think this was very apparent during lockdown and re-opening guidelines were issued. Not much of it was new (masks and distancing apart) and many had no idea how to ensure a hygienic environment and tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nail Services and the Importance of High Standard Hygiene<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For nail services, hygiene does not need to be to a medical standard but it still needs to be of a high standard. There can be all sorts of cuts or abrasions on hands and fingers that are noticeable but are an open door to pathogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of proprietary brands available for salons but do you know what you are buying?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, are you aware that, in the UK, every disinfectant can only make accurate claims that can be backed up by rigorous testing and must have an EN number (legal requirement!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Disinfectant EN Numbers: What They Mean<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

EN numbers refer to what the product has been tested against. Here is a chart of numbers and their current testing protocols;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EN1500 <\/strong>Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Hygienic handrub. Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 2).
EN13624<\/strong> Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity in the medical area. Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1).
EN13704<\/strong> Chemical disinfectants. Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1).
EN13727<\/strong> Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity in the medical area. Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1).
EN14348<\/strong> Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of mycobactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants in the medical area including instrument disinfectants. Test methods and requirements (phase 2, step 1).
EN14476<\/strong> Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of virucidal activity in the medical area. Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1).
EN14561<\/strong> Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative carrier test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity for instruments used in the medical area. Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 2).
EN14562<\/strong> Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative carrier test for the evaluation of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity for instruments used in the medical area. Test method and requirements without mechanical action (phase 2, step 2).
EN14563<\/strong> Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative carrier test for the evaluation of mycobactericidal or tuberculocidal activity of chemical disinfectants used for instruments in the medical area. Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 2).
ATSM E1052<\/strong> Standard Test Method for Efficacy of Antimicrobial Agents Against Viruses in Suspension. The Evaluation of antiviral properties of a product using a Virucidal Suspension Assay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a chart that makes a bit more sense. It has been supplied by Mundo, a very ethical and efficient hygiene product manufacturer. This will help you to decide what EN number is right for your environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Understanding Test Standards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Snippet of Test Standards Correct as of March 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sterilising: The Different Levels of Decontamination<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What is essential to understand is that before anything can be disinfected it must be cleaned. This means with warm water and soap and a brush if the tool has crevices e.g. nippers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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