Sterilization Of Cosmetology Tools And Equipments

Sterilization is a term referring to any process taken to remove or kill any of microbial life present on a surface, contained in a fluid or in a compound.


Sterilization in cosmetology can be reasonably said to be any process that removes or kills microbes present in materials, tools or equipments used by a cosmetologist.

This practice ensures that these microbial lives are not transferred from one client to another.

Microbes are pathogens responsible for many infectious diseases.

Methods Of Sterilization

Sterilization can be achieved by applying heat, chemical, radiation, high pressure and filtration or combinations.

Sterilization is done with the aim of removing or reducing the micro organisms or other pathogens present in the equipments used by a cosmetologist.

1. Heat Sterilization

This is achieved by applying heat to the work tools to remove microbial lives.

Heat sterilization methods include

• Steam sterilization
• Incineration
• Thermal treatment
• Boiling
• Tyndalization
• Dry heating
• Flaming.

2. Chemical Sterilization

This involves the use of chemicals to eliminate microbes present on the surface of a tool or equipment.

Examples of sterilization chemicals include Ethylene oxide, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Bleach, Hydrogen peroxide, etc.

3. Radiation Sterilization

This involves the use of radiation such as Element beams, X-rays, Gamma rays or sub-atomic particles to eliminate microbes

4. Combinations

This involves the mixing of two or more elements or compounds to disseminate microbes from work tools.
This method of sterilization is mostly used in cases where the microbes.

Some distinct types of sterilization include ;

• Steam sterilization
• Dry heat sterilization
• Ethylene Sterilization
• Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilization
• Gamma rays Sterilization.

Note that these types of sterilization are categorized under a primary method of sterilization. For instance steam sterilization comes is a form of heat sterilization.

Materials And Tools For Sterilization

• Auto claws
• Hot air oven
• Bunsen burner
• Ethanol
• Incubator
• Dry heat sterilization
• Ethylene oxide.

Processes Of Sterilization

1.Decontamination

This is the physical or chemical process that renders an inanimate object that may be contaminated with microbial life safe for further handling.

This could include wiping of surfaces or washing with alcohol.

2.Assembly and Packaging

After the instruments have been cleaned and inspected, they are typically assembled into sets of trays according to recipe cards that detail instructions for assembling each set of tray.

Instrument and other items that are prepared for sterilization must be packaged so that their sterility can be maintained until the point of use.

3.Sterilization and Storage Process

As noted earlier, sterilization involves the removal of microbial life present on a surface.

Hence, reliable sterilization depends on the contact of the sterilization agent with surfaces of the item to be sterilized to ensure the instruments and supplies are sterile when used,

Monitoring the sterilization process is essential for accurate sterilization.

After sterilization, the materials or items are stored properly to avoid re-infection or exposure to new microbes.

Exercise On Sterilization Of Cosmetology Tools And Equipments

• Explain Sterilization of cosmetology tools.
• List five sterilization materials and tools.