For this task I have been asked to produce a Health and Safety leaflet, outlining appropriate health and safety measures when applying and removing makeup.
Here are the leaflets that I created, with some information outlining the key health and safety points when working in a salon.
Below the leaflets I have written out all of the important health and safety factors to consider in much more detail.
Client consultation
Client consultation is one of the most important parts of preparing for a makeup design.
A consultation with your client allows you to rule out any contra-indications (a pre-existing condition), that could potentially prevent or restrict a treatment.
Contra indications that may prevent treatments include broken skin, unhealed wounds, severe skin conditions, diseases and disorders, bacterial infections (conjunctivitis, cysts, severe boils), fungal infections (extreme dermatitis, hives, psoriasis, eczema, scabies, shingles), Viral infections (Impetigo, cold sores, ringworm, dermatitis, severe acne), inflammation, swelling, undiagnosed lumps and bumps, hypersensitive skin, severe bruising, cuts, abrasions, and allergies.
Contra indications that may restrict treatments include Styes, boils, milia, mild eczema, mild acne, moles, skin tags, keloid scars, hypo/hyper pigmentation, vitiligo, minor bruising, inflammation, recent scar tissue and piercings.
A consultation also allows you to get a clear idea of the clients wants and needs for the look you have to design.
It is the perfect opportunity to quiz your client on factors that you must consider when choosing products for the look, such as weather, temperature, lighting, venue and length of the event.
Patch tests
Patch tests must be carried out between 24 and 48 hours before a treatment, to lower the risk of a contra-action (a problem that occurs during or after a treatment) occuring, or identify any contra-indications that a client wasn’t already aware of.
If a client has a positive patch test, this means they have reacted to a product, and therefore it should not be used on them. A positive reaction could cause red, itchy, burning, sore, irritated and or swelling skin.
Medical consent
Some clients may have medical conditions or disabilities, such as skin caner or bells paulsy, that require them to have special permission, from a doctor, in order to be treated. A consultation is the prefect place to identify this, allowing your client enough time to be able to contact their doctors to get consent for treatments.
COSHH
COSHH ( Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health ), is a law that requires employers to correctly use and safely store any substances that may be hazardous to health, in order to protect members of staff, clients and the general public.
COSHH requires salon owners to provide a COSHH cupboard, to ensure safe storage of any potentially hazardous products.
A COSHH cupboard is a large, metal cupboard that should be kept out of sight and reach of the public, and direct heat or sunlight.
A COSHH cupboard should be locked at all times, even if you will be going back to it within 5 minutes. This ensures that dangerous products don’t end up in the posession of someone that doesn’t know how to safely handle them.
This act also requires any products, that could potentially cause harm, to provide clear information on how to safely handle, use, store and dispose of the product.
PAT testing
PAT testing ( Portable Appliance Testing ) is a routine inspection, carried out by a professional firm or licenced being, to ensure that all electrical equipment is safe to use.
PAT testing should be carried out at lest every 6 months, to prevent electrical accidents in the workplace.
As well as PAT testing, employees are responsible for visually checking any electrical equipment before and after each use, to ensure there is no visual damage.
PPE
PPE ( Personal Protective equipment ) is used to protect a persons self, and belongings during treatments.
Here are some examples of the PPE that is regularly used in a salon, and what they are used for;
Gloves – Gloves are worn by therapists to protect the skin from contact dermatitis when using harsh chemicals, as well as preventing cross contamination.
Gowns – Gowns are worn by clients to protect their clothing, skin and accessories ( such as jewelery ) from any damage that may occur during a treatment, such as powder fall out, burns or bleaching of fabrics.
Apron – Aprons are worn by staff to protect their skin, and clothing from any damage that may occur during a treatment, just like the client wears a gown.
Masks – Masks are worn to prevent the transmission or contraction of air born viruses, and to prevent the inhalation of harmful products.
Visors/Goggles – Visors and goggles are worn to prevent fluids entering the eye area during close up treatments, therefore preventing transmission or contraction of diseases and preventing any sharp, harmful objects or chemicals entering the eyes or contacting face.
Client care
Preparation
It is extremely important for makeup artists to ensure they are following health and safety guidelines when preparing for a treatment, to ensure that the client has the best experience possible.
Personal hygiene :
All makeup artists must be wearing a clean, ironed uniform every day. They must be wearing the correct uniform that their salon has provided, and uniform must be correctly sized, so that it is not restricting the mua’s movement.
Furthermore, makeup artists must ensure that they give off no over powering odour. Regular showering and tooth brushing as well as use of scented products such as deodorant and mouthwash must be maintained. However, as much as it is important to smell nice, makeup artists must also ensure that they are not wearing overpowering perfumes or aftershaves.
Hair must also be regularly washed, and long hair should be tied up in a neat bun or pony tail.
Nails must be kept at a reasonable length to prevent cross contamination , or harming a client. A nail file should always be kept on hand in the event that a nail breaks during a job, so you can smooth out the edges to prevent scratching yourself of a client. If nails are painted you must ensure they have no chips in them, as chips harbour bacteria!
Preparing the work station:
Before and after each treatment, a makeup artists work station must be thoroughly wiped down, and sanitised.
All tools used, including makeup brushes, hair brushes, metal instruments (scissors and tweezers), counter tops, trolleys, chairs and mirrors, must be effectively cleaned to prevent cross contamination between clients.
Towels and couch-roll should be used to cover the work station to prevent products having direct contact with the work surface.
Makeup artists should have all of their products clearly layed out, and labelled, in front of them so they do not have to keep reaching in to their makeup bag or case. Not only does this make the application process much quicker and easier, but it makes you look much more professional, and gives your client a clearer idea of what is going on- making them feel more comfortable.
It is also extremely important to visually check all equipment to ensure nothing is damaged or broken. This prevents potential harm.
Any broken or damaged equipment must be disposed of correctly.
Client preparation:
When a client arrives, the first thing you should do is take any personal belongings, such as their coat and bag, and place them in a secure area. You should also check to ensure any jewellery within the treatment area is removed, to prevent damage.
After getting your client sat at the work station, and putting their gown on, you should go over your consultation form to ensure nothing has changed since you last saw them.
During a treatment
It is extremely important that a makeup artist washes their hands before, and throughout a makeup service. This prevents cross contamination, from previous clients, and products.
It is also important to separate dirty and clean brushes throughout the treatment, if you store them all together you will have to wash them all, even the ones you didn’t use, to ensure you have effectively prevented cross contamination.
If a tool or product has been dropped on to the floor, it must be picked up and placed to one side (and not used until cleaned). At the end of the treatment this can then be disinfected, ready for future use. Once the makeup artist has placed the item to one side they must thoroughly wash their hands before continuing with the treatment.
After care
Providing the correct aftercare is an essential part of being a makeup artist. It is important your clients know how to effectively maintain and remove products, as well as what to do if they have a reaction after they have left your care.
Maintainance;
A makeup artist is responsible for teaching their clients how to effectively maintain their makeup.
Some maintenance advice includes, avoid touching your face, avoid water and moisture, use products recommended by the mua to re-touch throughout the day, ask for tutorials if you would like to know how to re-create the look in the future, use setting products, maintain a good skincare routine, lead a healthy lifestyle and drink lots of water to ensure your skin is always at its best.
You could also recommend retail products that would be beneficial for the clients skin type, so they know what to use to effectively maintain and re-create the look.
Removal;
Makeup artists are also responsible for teaching clients how to effectively remove their makeup, in order to prevent infections and maintain healthy skin.
As well as advising suitable products for the clients skin types, it is important to make them aware of the correct techniques that should be used when removing makeup. For example:
Eye makeup removal – Apply a fair amount of eye makeup remover to a cotton pad, and gently wipe the eye area, from the inner to outer corner, in small circular motions. Repeat this until there is no makeup residue left on the cotton pad.
Face makeup – Massage a gentle cleanser in to the face and rinse with water – this step may need to be repeated. Once you are confident all the makeup has been removed with the cleanser, wipe your face with a cotton pad that has been soaked in toner to help tighten your pores, and lastly moisturise to lock all of the products in to your skin. This routine should be repeated daily, in order to maintain healthy skin.
Contra-actions;
It is important to make a client aware of what contra-actions are, how to identify them, and what do do if they occur.
A contra-action is a reaction that occurs during, or after a treatment. Sometimes reactions can take up to 48 hours to occur so your clients must be made aware of this to ensure they don’t dismiss their treatment if a delayed reaction does occur.
Examples of makeup treatment contra-actions include:
Reactions to eye products (products entering eyes)- sensitivity, burning sensation, redness, itchiness, puffiness, and watery eyes.
Reactions to face products – Redness, swelling, itchiness, rash, blisters, stinging, burning sensation, hives.
What to do if a contra action occurs:
If a client believes they are suffering from a contra action they must know how to treat the area, and when and how to seek medical advice.
As soon as the client becomes concerned, they should remove the makeup with a gentle cleaner and water – harsh soaps and wipes should be avoided as this can worsen the reaction!
Once the makeup is removed, take a photo so that the reaction can be monitored, and then apply a cold compress to help sooth the irritation, and slow the reaction down.
Avoid touching or scratching the area as this is likely to worsen the reaction.
The client must be made aware that they are responsible for letting you know if a reaction occurs, so you can adjust your products for their next treatment, to prevent the reaction from happening again, but must also know that you are not liable for their reaction as long as you patch tested them.
IF YOU DON’T PATCH TEST AND A CLIENT HAS A REACTION LEGAL ACTION COULD BE TAKEN.
For mild cases – Monitor the area by taking regular photos, or drawing a ring around the affected area to ensure it isn’t growing. Seek advice from a pharmacist or your GP if you are concerned, or if the reaction persists.
For moderate cases – Phone 111 for advice if you can not contact or visit a GP or pharmacy.
For severe cases – If a reaction is rapidly spreading, extremely painful, or sends the patient it to a potentially life threatening situation 999 must be called immediately.
Megan Hoff 