Any cut, abrasion, or break in the skin can pose a risk of exposure to blood or bodily fluids, which may carry infectious organisms. These organisms—referred to as pathogens—can potentially infect both the client and the nail technician if proper precautions aren't taken.
Common pathogens include cold and flu viruses, as well as hepatitis B. Of these, only hepatitis B is a bloodborne pathogen, meaning it can be transmitted through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. As a nail tech, you should always err on the side of caution whenever there is potential exposure due to a cut, wound, abrasion, or similar injury.
Understanding Bloodborne Pathogens & Standard Precautions
To protect yourself and your clients, it’s important to follow infection control standards. One critical set of guidelines is known as Standard Precautions, developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These are designed to minimize the risk of pathogen transmission in situations involving blood or fluids.
In a nail salon, an "exposure" refers to any situation where blood or bodily fluids are visible—such as from a cut, wound, or broken skin.
What to Do If a Client Bleeds During a Nail Service
If an exposure occurs during a service, follow these step-by-step safety protocols:
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Stop the service immediately and apologize to the client.
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Put on a new pair of disposable gloves—nitrile or vinyl gloves are recommended.
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Apply gentle but firm pressure to the area using a clean cotton pad to stop the bleeding.
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Clean the area with an antiseptic solution.
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Cover the wound with an adhesive bandage to completely seal it.
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Disinfect your workstation with a salon-approved disinfectant.
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Safely dispose of all contaminated materials (e.g., cotton pads, nail files, table towels) in a sealed plastic trash bag.
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Remove your gloves carefully and dispose of them in the same sealed bag.
Post-Service Instructions for Clients
After the incident, advise your client to monitor the injury closely. If the area becomes red, swollen, inflamed, or painful, they should seek immediate medical attention, as these could be signs of a serious infection.
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