Chemical cold sterilization in a beauty salon (2025)

For the benefit of both clients and professionals, maintaining cleanliness and safety in manicure and pedicure procedures is crucial. Making sure that the instruments are free of dangerous bacteria, viruses, and fungi is a crucial part of this process.

One popular technique for disinfecting instruments is chemical sterilization, which calls for the use of certain solutions. This procedure is particularly crucial in salons where equipment is shared among several clients, necessitating adherence to stringent regulations to avoid cross-contamination.

The Russian sanitary standards and regulations, or SanPiN, provide precise guidelines for the chemical sterilization of manicure tools. Comprehending and adhering to these guidelines guarantees compliance with health regulations as well as upholding a high standard of hygiene.

Conditions for execution

A drawback of chemical sterilization is the need to set up a dedicated space for the process. It should have a sterile cabinet or storage boxes in addition to air purification devices. An expensive piece of medical equipment, a sterile cabinet is used to store chemically sterilized instruments.

Three containers that hold the distilled water and working solution should also be present for the procedure to be carried out.

When using a dry heat sterilizer or autoclave, it is advised to use products composed of metals, glass, heat-resistant plastic that can tolerate high temperatures or steam, and enamel-coated items that show no signs of damage.

The inability to maintain sterility for an extended period of time owing to open storage is a characteristic of this type of sterilization. Time limit: three days. If not, the materials and tools that were sterilized in this manner need to be used within a few hours.

It is preferable to choose the chemical processing option as a backup if you work from home and are initially unable to purchase a device for thermal or steam processing. It won’t offer the option of long-term storage, but it will eradicate all harmful microflora and render the instrument safe for the customer.

For novices, chemical sterilization is the best choice when no other options are available.

Rules for carrying out

The instruments are immersed in a chemical solution that has been mixed precisely per the instructions and soaked for the duration of the chemical sterilization process. Disinfection, pre-sterilization cleaning, and drying always come before this step.

Manicure tool pre-sterilization and disinfection: how to select a disinfectant and make the right mixture

In order to prevent dilution and a shift in the working solution’s concentration, the instruments must be totally dry before being submerged.

The preparatory steps for chemical sterilization of instruments are the same as those needed for heat treatment in an autoclave or dry-heat oven.

You will need a working solution, two containers for washing, and one container with a lid for disinfection in order to complete the procedure. Moreover, napkins, gloves, and tweezers. To store manicure tools going forward, you’ll need one of the following:

• UV sterilizer;
• Sterile cabinet;
• Sterile box or box with a lid.

The following is the action algorithm:

1. Pour the prepared working solution of the required concentration into a container with a lid;
2. In the other two – distilled or drinking purified water;
3. All procedures are performed in sterile gloves;
4. Pre-disinfected and cleaned instruments are placed after drying in a solution for chemical treatment for the required exposure time. Cover with a lid;
5. After the time has elapsed, use tweezers, in sterile gloves, take out and transfer the instruments into distilled water, rinse;
6. We transfer to the third container with distilled or drinking water, rinse from the residues of the solution;
7. We take out the tools, wipe the sterile clip with a sterile napkin, put it on the second napkin;
8. Having wiped and dried all the tools, we transfer them to the closet, UV sterizer or sterile box with a lid for storage.

Every manipulation is carried out using sterile forceps and gloves that have been cleaned. The instruments are submerged in an open or deconstructed solution. After immersion, there should be a minimum of 1 cm of drug above them. Once you’re in the liquid, you can close and open any intricate connections or locking components.

A sterile sheet should be used to arrange a sterile cabinet or storage box. To guarantee consistent light access, arrange everything on the shelves inside the UV sterizer.

The tool can be kept for three days in a special box or cabinet, but even if the materials haven’t been used, you still have to take everything out and go through the process again.

Which products are suitable

Not every kind of solution can be chemically sterilized. This is stated in the product instructions, usually found on the title page. Refer to the instructions for more information. The product concentration for chemical sterilization is roughly twice that of disinfection. In addition, there are modes for 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. The longer the concentration, the shorter the soak time; however, continuous exposure to reagents also accelerates the metal’s deterioration.

Depending on the product, the treatment solution can be applied repeatedly for three to twenty-eight days, or until the sediment falls out and the color changes.

Products that can be utilized to create functional solutions include:

• Gigasept;
• Multidez;
• Instrum;
• Oxidez R;
• Brilliant classic;
• Neobak-Aktiv;
• Dezavid+;
• Septolite;
• Korzoleks Extra.

Both concentrates and ready-made solutions can be purchased for the preparations. When getting ready, pay close attention to the directions because the concentrations for the sterilization and disinfection modes differ. You must have distinct answers ready for each step.

There may be variations in the required water temperature. Some people consider 18 degrees to be the minimum, while others believe 21 degrees and higher. The duration of the exposure also varies a lot, spanning from 15 minutes to 6 hours of submersion. The metal is harmed more severely the longer it is left.

For chemical sterilization, you need to consider all of these factors when selecting a concentrate or solution in order to get the desired results:

• Required concentration (the higher, the faster the drug is consumed);
• Cost;
• Requirements for exposure time. With a large flow of clients, it is better to give preference to a minimum of 15 minutes for sterilization;
• The ability to use one product for both disinfection and sterilization in different concentrations;
• Type of active substance;
• Presence of anti-corrosion and detergent additives.

Not to be overlooked is another psychological component. Whether or not the master has performed chemical sterilization is only known by the master herself. Without a craft package, there is no other way to keep track of this when processing instruments with an open form solution. Test strips and closed craft packages are not available for the client or for demonstration during the inspection. When selecting chemical sterilization as a substitute, take this into account.

Pros and cons

When weighing the benefits and drawbacks of this manicure equipment processing method, it is important to keep in mind that it is an extra, alternative method that is intended to address the sterilization issue in the unlikely event that processing via other suggested methods proves to be impractical.

Benefits of chemical disinfection

• Suitable for novice hairdressers at the start, without a budget for a dry heat machine or autoclave;
• Possibility to avoid exposure to high temperatures when processing metals, plastic and rubber products;
• The procedure can be carried out decentralized.

Drawbacks:

• Long exposure time for a number of preparations;
• Short shelf life of processed parts;
• High cost;
• Inability to process in packaging;
• Need to equip a special room;
• Toxicity for clients and salon staff;
• Inability to control the quality and effectiveness of the procedure;
• Need to use distilled water for double rinsing from the solution.

Legal side

Notwithstanding the article’s title, "Chemical sterilization of manicure instruments," and all the previously mentioned characteristics, this problem has a legal component in addition to a practical one. Social media is rife with headlines like "Don’t waste money on dry heat," "How to save on sterilization," and other alluring claims that chemical sterilization is a better option than heat treatment. However, the authors of these posts fail to mention SanPiN 2.1.2.2631-10, the primary document for household services, which outlines the instrument processing mechanism in detail.

First, let’s examine paragraph 9.2:

Since it is written in Russian, this is typically the main defense offered by those who oppose thermal sterilization: "Physical methods and/or chemical disinfectants must be used." Nevertheless, this paragraph focuses entirely on the requirement that tools and equipment be allowed for use within Russian Federation territory, rather than discussing how to operate with instruments.

However, paragraph 9.22 provides a clearer response to the sterilization query:

As you can see, sterilization in sterilizers is stated explicitly, but there are no notes indicating that chemical sterilization is permitted in certain circumstances. Who is able to use chemical sterilization is the question that emerges. The response is to medical organizations, usually in situations where the product’s material cannot tolerate heat treatment.

The article’s contents are all provided solely for informational purposes. Absolutely, it is preferable to select chemical sterilization over no sterilization at all. However, since the Rospotrebnadzor fines have not yet been waived, it is best to arrange your work in the prescribed order and employ thermal treatment techniques. These methods are simpler, safer, and less expensive.

If you still have inquiries concerning chemical sterilization, please leave a comment.

An overview of all sterilization techniques:

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8 comments on “Chemical sterilization of manicure instruments: rules for carrying out according to SanPiN”

Svetlana

The article is good and quite informative.
The main criterion that you do not describe is the principles of choosing a drug for cold sterilization. Here you can not refer only to the instructions for the product, the most important thing is the composition of the product. Only products based on aldehydes and oxygen-active compounds are suitable for sterilization.
It is also worth noting that this technique is recommended only in cases where the instrument cannot be processed by physical methods due to its thermal instability. There are no other indications for using the cold sterilization method.
And even more so, this method should not be recommended as an alternative to beginners. S.k. it is necessary to understand all stages of the instrument processing process and strictly adhere to them. And also be guided by the rules for choosing drugs for each of the processing stages.
In addition, for sterilization solutions, it is necessary to constantly monitor the content of the required amount of active substances in the working solution with test strips. Regardless of whether it is a ready-made solution or prepared from a concentrate.

Editorial board

Hi Svetlana! I greatly appreciate the addition. Have you ever sterilized something chemically? What are the primary challenges in actual practice?

YuliaEditorial board

Hi, Yulia! As per the "Methodological guidelines for disinfection, pre-sterilization cleaning and sterilization" paragraph 4.6.7 of MU 287-113, chemical sterilization must be conducted under conditions of complete sterility. This involves transferring the tools into sterile containers with sterile distilled water using sterile tweezers. When aseptic procedures are broken, such as when regular water is used instead of sterile water, microorganisms may develop on the product’s surface. Thus, the answer is no, you cannot rinse with regular water.

Sergey

Hello!
You correctly wrote that this method of sterilization should be considered rather not as the main one, but as an alternative if it is impossible to process in other recommended methods, or rather, it is necessary to use it only for tools that cannot be subjected to high temperatures. The main should still be thermal methods of sterilization. It is hardly worth recommending a chemical method for beginners, t.To. it requires compliance with difficult to implement conditions: you need to use a separate sterile room, sterile containers, sterile tweezers for manipulation, etc.d. And where, for example, can I get sterile tweezers and containers? The answer is obvious – sterilize them using a thermal method. Therefore, you still can"t do without thermal sterilization. It is better to recommend that a beginner buy a dry heat sterilizer or an infrared sterilizer and use tools in their work that can be subjected to thermal sterilization.

Editorial BoardIrina

Both the article and the comments are interesting. Regarding dry heat sterilizers, a query. Hepatitis C must be destroyed by cooking at 180 degrees for an hour. The craft bag completely burns out, but the instrument gets darker. A lot of salons provide a well-maintained craft bag. What does this signify? Expert-only query

Editorial Board

Irina, hello!
Charring Kraft package and darkening of the instrument is not normal. Almost all craft bags have a maximum temperature of 180 degrees. In good dry heat sterilizers, the set temperature is maintained at a set level with a maximum deviation of 1-2 degrees, which is not enough for charring. Charring of the craft bag and darkening of the instrument may indicate low quality of the sterilizer itself, a malfunction of the built-in thermometer or other breakdowns. As for craft bags in good condition. There are two options:
1. The salon has a high-quality dry heat sterilizer with a uniform operating temperature inside the chamber. In this case, the craft bag will not be like new – traces of "roasting", such as slight darkening of the paper and small waves caused by exposure to temperature are still visible;
2. The craft bag was not exposed to. Unfortunately, despite the increasing incidence of infection in salons, this sometimes happens. Without seeing the craft bag, it is impossible to say whether it was roasted or not. If there are doubts about the quality of sterilization carried out in the salon, it is better to refuse to visit it.

One crucial step in ensuring each client’s safety and hygiene is the chemical sterilization of manicure tools. In any manicure or pedicure setting, adhering to SanPiN’s guidelines helps to maintain a clean and infection-free environment.

You can successfully eradicate dangerous pathogens by carefully choosing the appropriate disinfectants and following the right protocols. To keep your practice safe and compliant, it’s critical to keep up with these regulations on a regular basis.

In the end, sterilizing your instruments correctly protects your clients and builds your credibility as a health and safety-conscious professional.

Manicure tools must be chemically sterilized in order to protect clients and stop infections. This method kills harmful microorganisms when used according to SanPiN guidelines, but it needs to be done correctly to be really effective. This entails soaking the instruments for the allotted amount of time and using the appropriate chemicals at the right concentrations. Maintaining a clean and safe environment for each client is the goal of proper chemical sterilization, not just following the rules.

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