How To Sanitize Your Lash Extension Supplies

Lash technicians work directly with clients’ eyelashes and eyes. These delicate areas are very sensitive and prone to infection or irritation. As a lash tech, you need to work on your client’s eyelash extensions with precision, care, and speed while using products that are safe around the eyes.

Having said that, the quality of your eyelash extension supplies and the beautiful lash extensions are not the only important factors your clients look for. 

SAFETY is their #1 priority. And if it isn’t yours, it should be!

Aside from washing your hands before lashing, you should be cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing all the tools and equipment you use throughout the day. 

This may not be at the top of your must-do list. But we cannot stress this enough, clean your supplies properly! THIS IS SO SO SO IMPORTANT! If you are not sure where to begin, here is a great resource to start from. 

What is the importance of proper sanitization of lash extension supplies?

Before proceeding to the steps for sanitizing your workspace and lash extension supplies, we will let you know first what sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization are and why they are important.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. Some may have even seen this saying posted in their classroom during their preschool years. 

Proper hygiene and sanitation are very important to all people, most especially to lash technicians who work on the eyelashes which are close to one of the most sensitive organs in the body, the eyes. This is why proper hygiene is important. 

Here are the 3 terms to know and understand as well as how to put them into practice.

Sanitization

Hand washing is always the best way to remove harmful germs from your skin, but if you are not able to do that right away, the next best thing is to use hand sanitizer. During sanitization, many germs or pathogens are killed and reduced to a safe level. 

Before and after your eyelash extension application, wash your hands using antibacterial soap. For best results, wash your hands for 20 seconds continuously under warm running water. Don’t forget to clean under your nails and around the back of your fingers and hands!

Disinfection

Everything you and your client touched should be disinfected to inactivate all the pathogens. Remember, during disinfection, pathogens became inactive, NOT killed. Disinfect them for at least 30 seconds. This includes the chairs, tables, door handles, lash supplies and tools, pillows, nano misters, and lamps. Disinfect all high traffic or touch surfaces before every client. 

Sterilization

During sterilization, inert microorganisms, allergens, and dust are removed from all the surfaces in your lash supplies, tools, workstation, and salon. You don’t need to sterilize your whole salon all the time. Instead, sterilize the lash extension supplies and tools you use directly to the eyes- especially your tweezers! 

After sterilizing your eyelash extension supplies and tools, keep them in a dust-free container until you need to use them again.

How to keep your work area and lash extension supplies clean?

To avoid committing the same mistakes over and over, it is important to know how to keep your workstation and lash extension supplies clean from the very beginning. 

Before every lash extension application, you need to check all the lash extension supplies and tools you will be using. All of these should be cleaned, sanitized, disinfected, and sterilized before use. 

During the application, always have a cleaning solution and disposable wipes or paper towels close to you at all times. If any of your single-use items fall on the ground, DO NOT use them again. The 5-second rule is not applicable!

Arrange your work area in a way that you can reach all the supplies and tools you need without leaving the room. An organized supply cart or trolley is a must. 

After the eyelash extension application, gather all supplies and tools you used and clean your workstation. Throw away all the disposable items. Clean, disinfect, and sanitize before your next client. For items you need to sterilize, set a timer. The solution you use will have the exact time and procedures to follow. If you are busy you want to make sure you don’t forget!

When disinfecting, use a certified and effective solution, such as PREempt CS20 and RTU Accel PREVention. Read the label in your disinfectant solution and follow the instructions. Some solutions might need to be rinsed while others do not. Let air dry. 

Steps to cleaning your lash extension supplies

To clean and disinfect your eyelash extension supplies in Canada, you need to follow these steps. Remember not all lash extension supplies and tools you used should be cleaned and disinfected, some should be thrown away after one use. Lash extension supplies and tools such as tapes, disposable mascara wands, glue wipes, cotton pads, and glue rings should be thrown away.

While lash supplies and tools like lash tweezers, lash mirrors, and jade stones should follow these steps:

Step 1: Pre-treatment

Get your antibacterial soap and water and start scrubbing. Remove all the visible dirt and debris stuck into your lash tweezers. Make sure to check in between the tips.

Step 2: Rinse

Rinse the lash extension supplies and tools using running lukewarm water. Get a clean towel and wipe your eyelash tweezers dry.

Step 3: Disinfect

Get your trusted disinfectant solution and soak your tweezers. Use a small container where your lash supplies and tools can be fully flat and submerged in the solution. 

Read and follow the instructions in your disinfectant solution. 

Step 4: Dry

Remove the lash extension supplies and tools in the container using clean tongs or gloves to avoid recontamination. Rinse with water. Get a new clean and disposable towel and dry your tools. Some disinfectant solutions will require you to rinse the solution off before drying. Read the instructions properly.

You can also air-dry your lash extension supplies and tools between two clean towels.

Step 5: Storage

Last but most important of all, storage. Choose a clean and disinfected container or drawer and put your lash supplies and tools inside. 

For lash adhesives, you can wipe the storage container with disinfectant wipes and then let them air dry before storing.

Quality disinfecting in lash extension supplies is a must

Proper hygiene practices are very important to all lash technicians. You need to keep in mind that you will be working close to the eyes which are known for being sensitive. If you use unsanitized lash extension supplies and tools, there is a big chance that your client’s eyes will be infected and irritated. 

Poor cleaning practices for eyelash extension applications can cause a spread of infection between your clients. This can hinder your lash salon’s growth and tarnish your reputation.

We all work hard to get to where we are now. It will be a huge waste of your time, effort, and money if you do not practice proper hygiene and disinfecting procedures to prevent any contamination, irritation, and accidents from happening. In addition, all the lash tools you use are not cheap, it is best to keep them in tip-top shape to make sure they last long. 

 

We highly recommend following the necessary steps in making sure your workspace and lash extension supplies and tools are properly cleaned, sanitized, disinfected, and sterilized. It will only take a few minutes before and after each appointment. But these few minutes will ensure your clients feel safe and taken care of, this is beneficial for your client relationships as well as your brand reputation.

For all your lash extension supplies, visit Cartel Lash or call us 📞 (604) 437-0011 to speak to a product specialist today!