Do you know that jar of blue stuff that’s a staple in every beauty salon? It’s not a decoration! The blue liquid is barbicide.
What is Barbicide?
Barbicide is an anti-bacterial chemical used to sanitize and sterilize tools such as combs, brushes, and tweezers. It is a very common sterilization agent in the cosmetology field because it is relatively safe, effective, and easy to use.
Barbicide and WHMIS
While barbicide is fairly safe to use, it is a hazardous controlled product under the Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) in Canada. As such, it must comply with all WHMIS regulations and legislation as laid out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Under WHMIS, barbicide falls under:
Category 3: flammable liquid
Category 2: skin irritation
Category 2A: eye irritation
It is recommended that all lash technicians take a WHMIS training course so that they understand how to properly store, use, and dispose of barbicide. As well, you should understand how to apply first aid in case of a barbicide exposure or ingestion.
To store barbicide correctly, keep it in a cool location away from sparks, flames, and extreme heat.
Safe Barbicide Use
Using barbicide is easy and safe provided you read all of the information, including the safety data sheet (SDS) and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Barbicide is normally sold as a concentrate and then prepared for use by adding water. Tools usually only need to sit immersed in barbicide for a short time to get fully disinfected. After soaking in barbicide, most manufacturers recommend washing in warm soapy water followed by a thorough rinse.
Barbicide Alternatives
Do not substitute barbicide with bleach, rubbing alcohol, or bathroom cleaners. While they do claim to kill viruses and bacteria, they may not be effective against all strains of bloodborne pathogens, viruses, or bacteria.
The only acceptable alternative to barbicide is an autoclave. While autoclaves are easy to use and extremely effective, they’re expensive, take up more space than a jar of barbicide, and could cause burns if mishandled.
Barbicide and COVID-19
Your clients want to know that you’re doing all you can to protect them from COVID-19. That includes washing and sterilizing all of your tools with a disinfectant that is effective at killing COVID-19. Barbicide meets all of the criteria required for use against the COVID-19 virus. Using barbicide will protect your clients and yourself from spreading or contracting COVID-19 through tools or other shared implements.
Training
To learn how to run a lash application business, take our InfinitiLash Method training course. From anatomy, health and safety, and legal considerations, right down to the application of lash extensions, the InfinitiLash method covers absolutely everything you need to start a lash business. We cover barbicide safety as well.
You may also wish to consider WHMIS training so that you can confidently use barbicide to keep the tools of your trade clean and sterile for every client, every time.
InfinitiLash - Where Beauty Meets the Eye
Contact us to discuss our training programs, or to ask questions about our products, services, or the InfinitiLash Method. Visit us on the web 247 at infinitilash.com