HYGIENEMATTERS

Polished protocols

REBECCA HITCHON quizzes esteemed educators on how to promote safety & hygiene throughout nail services

Elisha Micallef

As a nail professional, trust is placed in you: not only to fulfil clients’ requests to the best of your ability, but to create a safe and hygienic treatment environment. “Clients are highly aware of cleanliness and may research this before their service. Therefore, visible, consistent hygiene practices are essential not only for safety, but business success,” explains Elisha Micallef, OPI educator & Scratch Stars Educator of the Year finalist 2026. “Strict hygiene protocols reflect professionalism and care, elevating the client experience and building trust.”

Mario Zatkovsky

Award-winning nail pro, educator & finalist for the Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry award 2026, Mario Zatkovsky, agrees, adding: “Good safety and hygiene are the foundations of professional nail services. Proper hygiene measures prevent cross-contamination, reduce the risk of infection, protect clients and technicians, and raise standards across the nail industry.”

Maksymilian Borowy

Maksymilian Borowy, decorated nail artist & educator, advises nail techs not to overlook how important hygiene and safety matters are. “Beautiful nails are important, but client safety should always come first,” he tells Scratch. “High hygiene standards protect not only your clients, but your business.”

To help you get a handle on safety and hygiene, Scratch has turned to expert educators to find out the practices they follow before, during and after nail services…

Trainer tips

Kylea Wherry

Glitterbels educator & Scratch Stars Educator of the Year finalist 2026, Kylea Wherry, shares that she embeds safety and hygiene matters throughout her lesson plans. “I start by covering client consultations and industry standards, then move onto PPE like gloves, chemical safety, how to clean tools correctly and safe waste disposal,” she says. “These topics can easily lose a class’ interest, so I find that drip-feeding information is the best teaching method.”

Glitterbels Pink Nitrile Gloves (box of 100, sizes XS-L) £10 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com

Melanie Lewendon

Melanie Lewendon follows a similar process. The Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2024, Online Educator of the Year 2025 and finalist in both categories for 2026 explains: “I cover safety and hygiene throughout every education session, repeating key points and regularly checking students’ knowledge. It is important not just to explain what to do, but why to do it, as this helps learners develop a deeper understanding and makes safe and hygienic working practices second nature.”

Michelle Brookes

“When teaching students who are new to the nail industry, my first lesson is always focused on hygiene,” adds Michelle Brookes, Artistic Nail Design and Footlogix educator, Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2025 & finalist for 2026. “I detail my hygiene routine and the products used, and offer live demonstrations.

Lucy Price

PRE-APPOINTMENT

Lucy uses the Katie Barnes Ultrasonic Cleaner £49.99 inc VAT www.katiebarnesacademy.com

Lucy demonstrates her tool sterilisation process using an autoclave.

“When clients arrive for their appointments, they should be seated at a disinfected workstation with a clean desk towel and couch roll,” says Lucy Price, OPI educator, Scratch Stars Educator of the Year finalist 2026 & Ultimate Natural Nail Specialist. “Tools should have been cleaned beforehand: dust removed, washed in warm soapy water, dried with a microfibre cloth and put into an ultrasonic cleanser, before being sterilised in an autoclave. Nail files and buffers should be single-use for each client.”

“I always teach my students that disinfection and sterilisation are two completely different processes, but both play important roles,” shares Maksymilian Borowy. “Disinfection is the process of reducing harmful microorganisms on tools and surfaces using professional disinfectants, whereas sterilisation is the highest level of decontamination and can only be achieved using a medical-grade autoclave. This eliminates bacteria, fungi, viruses and spores.”

Maksymilian Borowy is strict about hygiene protocols.

“Before an appointment, you should be prepared to carry out a thorough consultation,” details Melanie Lewendon. “A comprehensive consultation is essential for identifying any contraindications, sensitivities, allergies and client requirements, and helps to ensure that a treatment is carried out safely.” If you suspect or witness contraindications, you must immediately stop the treatment.

“Contraindications may include infections, damaged skin and nail conditions that techs cannot work on,” adds Elisha Micallef. “Before a nail service, also ensure that you wash and sanitise your hands, and encourage clients to do the same.”

‘‘ Strict hygiene protocols reflect professionalism and care, ‘‘ elevating the client experience and building trust. "

Pedi pointer

“We believe that professional treatments should combine expertise, care and consistency, and this means following effective hygiene protocols,” comments a spokesperson at skin, hand and footcare brand, SKINTRUTH® . “Visibly using hygiene sprays throughout treatments is an important part of the client experience. The SKINTRUTH® Pedicure Hygiene Spray helps refresh and prepare feet before pedicure services, promoting professionalism and reinforcing trust. Regular staff training on safety is also important.”

SKINTRUTH® Pedicure Hygiene Spray £4.89 + VAT www.skintruth.co.ukwww.salon-services.com

The GelBottle Inc SALONSAFE™ Biocide Tool and Surface Disinfectant (2.5L) £22.95 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

Super Professional General Purpose Sanitiser (750ml) £1.99 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk

HD Professional Nail Systems Sani Spray Hand Sanitizer £7.95 + VAT www.hazeldixonnails.com

Lucy Pastorelli UltraClean Ultrasonic Cleaner £49.95 + VAT www.lpnails.com

Michelle Brookes recommends the Mundo Professional range of products, which includes Sanitizing Skin Wipes, available for £5.95 + VAT via www.sweetsquared.com

Katie Barnes Cordless Rechargeable Dust Collector £199.99 inc VAT www.katiebarnesacademy.com

Mario’s setup at Get The Gloss in Hamilton, Scotland.

DURING THE SERVICE

“In my salon, Get The Gloss, we maintain strict hygiene standards throughout services,” Mario Zatkovsky tells Scratch. “Clients’ hands, feet and nails are cleansed where appropriate, and work surfaces are kept clean and organised. For pedicure treatments, spa bowls are fitted with disposable liners to minimise the risk of cross-contamination.

“Good air quality is an important part of creating a safe environment,” Mario continues. “We have a mechanical ventilation and extraction system, which continuously removes stale air and introduces fresh air throughout the salon. We also prioritise dust control and use the Katie Barnes Dust Collector. Effective dust management is essential not only for cleanliness, but protecting the long-term health of clients and nail technicians.”

“During services, appropriate PPE should be worn, including well-fitting, fit-for-purpose gloves,” advises Melanie Lewendon. “Also ensure that you, the client and any equipment are safely positioned to prevent accidents and injuries.” Beyond positioning, Lucy Price urges that care should be taken ‘to avoid cuts or abrasions that clients may have, minimising the risk of infection’.

‘‘ Beautiful nails are important, but client safety should always come first. ‘‘

OPI Foot File with Disposable Grit Strips £13.60 + VAT uk.wella.professionalstore.com

Gelish Accessory Kit - Pusher and Prep Tabs £3.99 + VAT www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.uk

Andreia Professional Pro Duster Revolution Nail Dust Collector £74.99 + VAT www.salon-services.com / www.andreiaprofessional.com

A spotlight on single-use

“Single-use files and buffers are vital for maintaining hygiene in the nail space,” explains Maksymilian Borowy. “These items are not for reuse and should be discarded after each use, because they can harbour bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms.” Elisha Micallef notes that there is no value in compromising hygiene standards to save a file, and advises building the cost of a new file for each client into your pricing. “OPI offers disposable grit strips for its Foot File, which promotes best hygiene practice,” she shares.

Izzy Foster

Extraction explained

Dust collectors and extractors have very different purposes, as Izzy Foster, social media executive at fume and dust extraction company, VODEX, explains:

“While dust collectors collect the heavy dust that falls from filing, they do not capture fine dust that can remain airborne for hours and be inhaled. An extractor, however, will typically extract dust at source and filter it into clean air. We recommend investing in extractors with a minimum of three stages of filtration.”

VODEX offers the SalonAIR® range – designed specifically for the beauty industry. It features the SalonAIR® 1 and and 2 – units with one and two capture accessories, the UVC model – which suits pedicurists, and a mobile unit.

VODEX SalonAIR® 1 from £900 inc VAT www.vodex.co.uk

POST-APPOINTMENT

“After a treatment, clean all tools, equipment and surfaces used and touched in the service, and dispose of any single-use items and waste,” says Melanie Lewendon. “Replace towels and couch roll before your next client.”

Elisha Micallef notes: “Don’t forget to wash your hands and change gloves after every appointment.”

Mario Zatkovsky ensures that safe practices are upheld by all of his salon employees. “Consistency is key, and every team member follows the same procedures to ensure high standards are maintained,” he details.

The Manicure Company Professional Brush Cleaner £6.60 inc VAT www.themanicurecompany.com

Light Elegance LEpro Big Wipes £22 + VAT www.lightelegance.co.uk

Hara Professional E-file Bit Cleaning Brush £4.99 + VAT www.astonandfincher.co.uk

Hygiene protocols are consistently followed at Mario Zatkovsky’s salon, Get The Gloss.

Common causes for concern

“Contact time is one of the most overlooked aspects of cross-contamination prevention,” reveals Kylea Wherry. “Many nail professionals spray disinfectant and immediately wipe it, without following the manufacturer’s instructions. Allowing the correct contact time, so the product effectively disinfects the surface, is essential.” The same is true for tool disinfection. “Don’t overlook this – especially if you are busy,” advises Elisha Micallef. “Always give hygiene products the required time to work as they should.”

“It’s also important to clean all frequently touched surfaces,” Elisha continues. “These include the inside and outside of UV/LED lamps, product bottles, E-files and drawers.” Melanie Lewendon agrees, suggesting ‘lamp buttons, armrests, chairs and phones’ as other high-touch areas.

“I frequently see nail techs storing clean tools poorly,” says Melanie. “Do not leave disinfected and sterilised tools uncovered on the nail desk, as they can become contaminated again before use.”

“As we work with chemicals, it’s good practice to carry out a COSHH (control of substances hazardous to health) risk assessment,” details Kylea Wherry. “Chemicals don’t just include nail products such as acetone and gel polish; they also include items like washing up liquid and toilet cleaner. All of these have SDS (safety data sheets), manufacturer’s guidelines, first aid procedures, plus storage and disposal recommendations, and having these to refer to promotes a safe environment.

“As the wife of an electrician, portable appliance testing (PAT) is something I recommend,” Kylea continues. “We use lamps, E-files, extraction units, chargers and extension leads daily, and although it’s not a legal requirement, we have a duty of care to inspect our equipment regularly to minimise risk.”

‘‘ As we work with chemicals, it’s good practice to carry out a COSHH (control of substances hazardous to health) risk assessment. Chemicals don’t just include nail products such as acetone and gel polish; they also include items like washing up liquid and toilet cleaner. ‘‘