There was a time when I frequented the hair salon as much as twice a week. I was single at the time and I looked forward to a hair wash, scalp massage, and hair blow out. If you are not familiar with what a hair blow out is, you’ve probably saved yourself hundreds of dollars annually.
The hair blow out is the process of going to a hair stylist to straighten the hair of somebody who does not have the time nor the skill to make their hair silky straight. This process can cost anywhere from $25-$50 per visit. As I mentioned, I was single and I spent most of my paycheck on having flip worthy hair. I also loved the smell of the salon and the fragrant shampoos and conditioners with exotic names that I couldn’t pronounce.
Since I had very thick hair, the assortment of brushes to get my tresses from frizzy to silky were great in number. The hair stylist would approach my hair and scalp with zest and the process would take almost 45 minutes. I was so concerned with the end result, that I never investigated the blue liquid from which the hair stylist would pull each hair weapon. What was in there and were these combs, paddle brushes, and round brushes as clean as I’d want them to be?
I couldn’t help but investigate the facts behind the process of cleaning the brushes and combs from hair salons. Is there a salon inspector that comes in to ensure that these processes are being done correctly?
What can happen if things aren’t clean at the salon? Bacteria or fungus can grow. In the salon world, the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, as well as the Health Department, frequently visit hair salons to make sure that they are running a “clean” business. That is why you see combs and hair brushes soaking in a blue liquid, which is actually a disinfectant called Barbercide. If the old hair is not removed from combs and brushes, the results will be less than zero.
Hair utensils that are frequently used retain dead skin cells and an oil called sebum from the scalp. If this dirty hairbrush is used on freshly washed and shampooed tresses, that hair will soon become dirty and/or oily looking. What happens if you are not sure how clean the combs or brushes in the salon are? There are some simple ways to protect yourself.
Before you decide to shut your eyes and relax in the salon chair, take a close look at the brush about to be used. If you should see any “hair balls” on that brush, put everything on hold. Those few hairs on the brush are a breeding ground for lice and scalp conditions. There have been many a hair salon manager that has had to fire a hairstylist because they hadn’t washed their brushes for days. That is way too disgusting and I think that I would BYOB-bring my own brushes-the next time I get my hair cut. If you should experience something like this, I would get up and leave without hesitation. You will find another hair salon, trust me. Another item to look out for is hair license of the hair stylist. You should know their full name, not just their fun salon name like “Ricky” or “Pinky”. Make sure that you can see their full name and license number. f you ever suspect a salon of not being up to par in cleanliness, you can always talk to the manager about it, or call your local Health Department or even go to the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologist website in your state. It is easy to find and report them.
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I wonder that myself. It appears that the combs and scissors are clean, but the brushes don’t seem to have such a rigorous cleaning process.
ugh. I am nauseated. I will be bringing my own brushes from here on out.
Wow, not something I’ve thought about before. I’ll be sure to be vigilant next time I get my haircut. Having had lice as a kid I know FOR SURE that I never want to repeat the experience.
thank you for giving me something to think about!
eeew!! glad i wear a wig and snood now!!
but how about the wig-setters??
http://twitter.com/rivkachava/status/16276756397
Good advice. Not something that you think about.
fascinating, but EWWW :/
Good question! I wonder that myself. The brushes always seem to have hair in them.
I always wondered what was in the jar of blue liquid. I usually try to look at the comb they are using when combing my or my own kids hair. You can for sure bring your own brush, I know of people who also bring their own manicure set to get a manicure.
One time, a lady picked up the brush that fell on the floor in the hair of the lady next to me. It was pretty gross, the brush had already touched my head before i could get out NOOOOO from my mouth
Oh my gosh! You are scaring me! The last time I was at the salon, I think I saw hair on some of the round brushes. I remember noticing it, but thinking “hey, whatever”. But now I’m freaking out!
Also, is Barbercide bad for you? I don’t like anything that ends with “cide”… sounds scary!
Hmm not sure I wont to share brushes with anyone I dont know. Disinfected or not!
Yeah…I cringe when I see hair in the brushes that they are about to use on ME. That is why, mostly, I do my own at home…or make sure I know the salon person and ask, without sounding snobby- or best yet, I tell them something I “heard” about another salon having issues…no names ever given but that leads into the discussion of what they do with theirs. These days, we really have to worry about these things.
Other days- a good ol bandana for this head!
.•～※ Oh my goodness , Thanks for the info my hair is part of my work and livelyhood so I think thanks to you I will so bringing my own brush!
You should all so take a really good look at who you let cut your hair if the are unkept its a good hint they don’t watch the small details ! ※～•.
I never thought about that…
oh wow! now I will be paranoid about that too lol will definetly check out my salon though
Thanks for the info!
interesting. I’ve not been to a salon in many years, so I don’t know. I thought there was a process that worked but I’m guessing there is no sure way to know if it’s in there long enough or not.
re tweeted this.
wow! I never thought about it before- I will be wayyyyy more careful now- thanks!
I’ve always wondered what the liquid is that they put combs in. I guess it’s a disinfectant, but IDK.
Being careful and maintaining good hygene in a hair salon is as important as doing it in a nail salon or other public service providers
I used to wonder about the blue liquid, too! I have OCD and I think about how clean things like that are all the time. But, for some reason, I haven’t paid a lot of attention lately to how the brushes and combs, etc. look that my hairstylist uses. Thanks for reminding me to do this.
i always wondered and now i know! thanks!
Luckily i attended a private school and wasn’t permitted to wear my hair down and all nicely blown so I never got into this fad. I had no idea how serious not cleaning your hair utensils was. Very enlightening!
This is why I love my small town stylist who is like a family friend. I know she is compulsively clean. The salons int he bigger town make me nervous, now I know why!
I wondered about that myself.
that is really gross about the brushes
to know you pay that much money and they don’t wash the brushes…ewwww.
GROSS. I rarely go to the salon tho. I’m too cheap
Never thought of it, I’ve had a brazilian blowout too but I wasn’t able to see the round brush she used
whats the best way to clean brushes at home?combs are easy but brushes i dont know!
never thought about it. something to think about it.
I very rarely go to a salon to have anything done with my hair (my older sister usually would cut my hair) but even if I do, I don’t have them brush my hair… brushes, even at home, are off-limits with my hair!!
Oh my goodness, I was eating as I read this. I had to put my yogurt down. This is horrific and a wonder that we don’t think of it more often.
I know that some manicure salons allow patrons to have boxes there with their own equipment. If someone goes frequently to the hairdresser, is there an equivalent box? If not, do you think that it is a good idea?
well that’s good to know…..
I lean brushes with shampoo =. Is that good?
Interesting to think that if you buy a new wig, the hairstylists always wash it, both to set it and to remove any lice. But if they use dirty brushes, there seems to be the potential to replace everything removed!
Wow, I never thought much about this. But this is disgusting if they are not cleaning brushes. I dont go much though, only for special occasions
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interesting article. i had never heard of a hair blow out before. i have naturally straight hair and i use to sit for hours at a time to get it curly with a perm. thanks
thanks for posting!
i tweeted!!! twice!!!
yeaah!!! TWIIIIICEEEEEEE!!!
I don’t spend too much time in the salon
Long hair needs less trimming
I just had to chime in ensure our customers that our salon is vigilant in keeping things clean. Before I owned a salon I found that this is indeed a real issue and I caution any body out there to request tools be cleaned if they are in doubt. I know that the couple of times someone requested that of me, it was no problem.