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The average barber uses their clippers on 10-12 clients a day, which means they’re getting pretty dirty. A clean set of clippers is important because it helps avoid spreading germs and bacteria from customer to customer.
Some barbers don’t use any cleaning products when cleaning their clippers at the end of the day. They may just brush and wipe them off with some paper towels.
In this article, we’re going to show you the best way to clean barber clippers. We’ll also answer some common questions about how often you should clean them and the best products to use.
Are barbers supposed to clean their clippers?
To ensure that they stay within barber health and safety standards, the cleanliness of clippers is a must for barbers. Keeping the barber and customer safe is a top priority. All employees must follow regulations to make sure everyone stays safe, including taking precautions with their own equipment! Barber and hairdressers in the hair industry must follow the standards set by government bodies to maintain safe work environments.
When safety guidelines are not followed it jeopardizes the health of barbers, clients, and anyone that comes into contact with the tools. There are strict consequences set by the Board of Barbering to make sure hair industry workers follow the rules. Breaking the sanitation rules can result in a significant fine, license suspension, and even closure of the barbershop from authorities.
According to hair professionals, there are many ways to ensure they stay within regulations. Keeping trimmers and other equipment sanitized include:
Proper hand hygiene
Barber should have proper hand hygiene. This includes washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You can also use hand sanitizer before and after each client. The barber should also wear gloves when they do not have a way clean their hands. Your barber should also use Alcohol after trimming a client to prevent the spread of bacterial diseases.
Utilizing Barbicide
Most barbers will use Barbicide (the pot filled with blue liquid) to disinfect their combs and scissors. Barbicide is a blue liquid that is usually made of alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride sodium nitrite and blue dye. The haircutting cleansing solution is often placed in a jawed container and covered to help reduce odor from the chemicals.
Barber clipper disinfectant spray
Barbers can use spray disinfectant to clean dirty clippers and other equipment. We recommend spraying the clippers and combs with a disinfectant after every use. Once the clipper’s spray is applied, barbers can use a brush or towel to remove dirt from the trimmers.
How often should barbers clean clippers?
When cleaning haircutting equipment, the general rule of thumb is to disinfect and sterilize equipment after each use. There shouldn’t be any exceptions to this rule. Combs, scissors, and straight razors should be left in Barbicide solution until ready for use.
When it comes to your trimmer, you should take liners apart every 2-3 months and clean out any hair that may have gotten stuck in between the blades. This will help avoid damage caused by residue buildup over time!
All trimmers should also be inspected regularly to ensure they are in proper working condition. When inspecting clippers, barbers should make sure the blades don’t have any cracks or rust spots. The screws on a trimmer should also be tight and not stripped out. This is basic clipper maintenance that will help your clipper work for a long time and avoid the spread of germs.
If barbers are too busy or forget to clean their tools between customers, they can spread infections. Being known as a dirty barbershop could be a death sentence for the business. Clients would be deterred from going to a barbershop that doesn’t follow basic hygiene.
Who should clean clippers?
Any person who uses the clipper (the barber) has to take responsibility for cleaning it. If you’re hiring someone else to do the haircuts, ensure they know that proper hygiene measures must be taken.
Can you get a disease from hair clippers?
Yes, you can get diseases from hair unsanitized clippers. The hair trimmers and workstations should also be wiped with an anti-bacterial solution when you get a haircut. The instruments used in the process can also carry some serious bacteria and viruses diseases like hepatitis B!
As the study shows, even when barbers follow all the proper hygiene measures, there is still some level of contamination. However, the risk significantly decreases when using clean equipment.
What happens if you don’t clean hair clippers?
When you get a haircut at your local barbershop, the expectation is that they will cut your hair properly. However, if the barber doesn’t clean their hair trimmers, you might get a painful haircut with patchy spots. But worst of all, you may have nasty skin irritation and infections.
So, what actually happens if you don’t clean hair clippers?
When the barber uses the same pair of hair timmers on multiple customers, the clippers become contaminated. This is particularly bad if they don’t clean their hair clippers between uses. People with sensitive skin are more susceptible, but anyone can get skin irritation and infections from dirty clippers.
Clients may experience the following skin irritations from dirty haircutting equipment:
Folliculitis
- Folliculitis is an infection of the pockets where hair grows (follicles). It can be more common among those who have acne, shaving, and topical steroid creams. These factors may increase your risk of developing this condition after a haircut. You’ll notice small white-headed pimples appear around the affected sites. The affected area may itch or become painful depending on severity, but mild cases usually clear up without medication!
Ringworms
- Ringworm is an infection that you can get from touching someone else’s skin or using contaminated tool areas. The illness usually appears scaly and may cause painful red patches on the scalp or other affected areas. There may be a loss of hair in that area of the scalp.
Razor bumps
- Razor Bumps are common in men and usually occur on the face, neck, and scalp. The condition may be caused by shaving too often or with dull or dirty blades. Symptoms include clusters of small red bumps around hair follicles that cause itchy and discomfort feeling!
Those are just some of the skin irritation for Barbers not cleaning their clippers. Usually, you will notice skin issues right after the haircut. If that is the case, ask your barber they use clean equipment when cutting your hair!
Can you ask your barber to clean their timmers before cutting your hair?
Yes, you can ask your barber if they’ve cleaned their equipment. In fact, I would encourage you to ask and watch them clean the tools before they cut your hair. A good barber should always be willing to clean their equipment in front of you. Most barbers understand the importance of cleaning their equipment will reduce the risk of the spread of germs, infections, and diseases.
As a barber, it’s important to be honest about whether or not your equipment has been cleaned. If you don’t clean your tools, you’re not giving your customer the best service possible. If you can’t or won’t take the time to clean your tools, then you need to hire a barber apprentice to do it for you.
Whether you’re a barber or client, clean trimmers aren’t something you want to risk. Ensure your barber thoroughly cleans their equipment before using them on you or any other client.
Should You report barbershops and barbers who violate health codes?
You can contact the State Board of Cosmetology to file a complaint about any concerning salon or barbershop. If the board finds any health code violation, they can fine or close down the barbershop. You can also call your local city hall to report this.
You can File a complaint about the including:
- Violations of health.
- Deceptive statements.
- Discrimination
- False advertisement.
- Sanitation regulations.
- Unlicensed stylist.
- Incompetence
However, you can not report your barber for a bad haircut. The State Board of Cosmetology has an official website and Google their local phone number. You can also call your local city hall to report any barbershops or barbers violating any health code.
Conclusion
In conclusion, how can you tell if your barber is clean? Most barbershops will clearly state whether they use sterile equipment. If your barber does not, say something or find a different barber! You could get viruses and bacteria from sharing tools without washing them first.
Going to the barbershop for a haircut is an experience that should be enjoyable and relaxing. However, it can quickly become unpleasant if you aren’t careful! If you are concerned about the sanitary conditions of your local barbershop, check out these tips for making sure you find a clean shop!
If you enjoyed this article or want to share your experience, please comment below! Let me know if you’ve had any experience with a barber that violated health codes. And remember, like, share and subscribe to the site.
