Thread: Barbers

Originally Posted by agentmm

I disagree. If a barber has the right knowledge for sterilizing and sanitizing his equipment, this should not be a worry...
In our everyday life we are exposed to pathogens that are just as bad if not worse then the ones listed but we still trudge on...
It's irrational IMHO.

Rational thought does not apply especially if you live an hours drive from
a city with astounding HEP-c and HIV infection rates. This is a topic where
the phrase "Had we known then what we know now..." has new meaning.

In looking up HEP-c the other day I was amazed at how
recently the virus had been identified and the statistics
of infection rates by age group. I used to think that
cirrhosis of the liver was the result of drink, we now know that
it is often the result of HEP-c and that cirrhosis will go on
and result in liver failure or other complications.

I applaud the moves of the health department in this regard.
I also wish the world was different.

Perhaps if we had autoclave friendly razors, strops, and hones
barbers could have made a case for their service and still
sell a fine hand crafted shave.

Like you I am sceptical about some of these issues
because I know that much regulation is not driven by
science but it is driven by instrument makers
and TV news. If an instrument maker can get a new level
of regulation in place they get to sell a lot of hardware fast.
But that has nothing to do with barbering.

Most barbers change the blade in front of you, so you know you are getting a clean sterile blade.

I dont feel lucky. But i do feel pretty, oh so pretty.

Originally Posted by DistortedPenguin

They're suppose to. But ya' gotta' ask yourself "Do feel lucky, well do ya'..."

Changing the blade in front of you does no good. Only about a sixteenth of an inch sticks out. It they nick you or even scrape a tiny bit it will be on the entire edge and inside of the razor where the blade goes. They are even more likely to harbor problems then a straight. I used one for a long time and could never clean inside of the thing where the blade sits.. You would have to use dental floss and q tips to sterilize it unless you put it into barbercide, in which case it would be better to use a straight. Now that is just common sense to me. However our law makers do not necessarily have any when they pass these laws.
By the way. I was watching a special on the CDC a while back. Know what they sterilize with. Lysol ! Yep. They come out of the lab in the space suits and pull a cord that showers them in Lysol if there is a problem. They said it kills every bacteria known to man. All utensils are diped in it.

I did an extensive search on the internet and I could not find anything about barbers not being allowed to shave people either with a straight or otherwise. I think they all just decided they didn't know how to keep them things sharp and didn't want the liability. You can't blame them. I did find several articles about beauticians not being allowed to shave and barbers are allowed. .Mack

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Most barbers change the blade in front of you, so you know you are getting a clean sterile blade.

I dont feel lucky. But i do feel pretty, oh so pretty.

Wow! Don't ever say that again.

Originally Posted by mackie

I did an extensive search on the internet and I could not find anything about barbers not being allowed to shave people either with a straight or otherwise. I think they all just decided they didn't know how to keep them things sharp and didn't want the liability. You can't blame them. I did find several articles about beauticians not being allowed to shave and barbers are allowed. .Mack

In Rhode Island multi use straight razors are prohibited.

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/dar_fili...f/DOH/4826.pdf

See 17.1.11

In California if you cannot provide a disposable blade that correctly
fits the holder for the shave test of the mannequin you loose those points.
.......
This URL is too long but here goes.

CMR 232 2.01: General Provisions Applicable to Barber Shops and Barber Schools

".....
(k) Alum or other material used to stop the flow of blood shall be used only in a liquid or powder form and shall be applied with a clean towel or cotton.
(l) No powder puffs, finger bowls, sponges, styptic pencil or lump alum shall be used by a barber or apprentice on any patron.
(m) No shaving brushes shall be used.
(n) No soap in cake or stick form shall be used. Liquid soap in a lathering machine may be used.
(o) Paper used for wiping razors shall be clean. No printed paper is permitted. Used shaving paper shall be placed in a separate covered container.
...."


Apparently razors are still permitted in CA but the paragraph on sterilization
implies that the process would be hard on any but the most durable
handle material. Disposable blades seems to make life simpler.


I think the regulations differ from state to state and country to country.


The interesting bit for me was the US center for disease control guidelines on sanitation and sterilization. For material that breaks the skin and touches blood the recommendations go off the chart. Some chemicals
would be a health risk in and of themselves and 20 min in an autoclave would damage most handle/ scales materials.


Interesting topic.... It seems the regulators are both running scared and running to catch up. Caution is in order....



I choose to not share my kit as that side steps it all.

On the subject of barbers - I recently read a post about Plisson shaving brushes and a lady purchased one for her husband. She bought it in France from a gentlemen who was suspose to be the last Master Barber in France.

What are the qualifications to be a Master Barber? I have heard the term used in England and France but never in the states. Anyone know?

Also, the French Master Barber advised the lady not to buy the high end razor as he stated it would not last. He reccomended brushes near the top of the line, but not the most expensive. Seem like someone else here made a post with a similiar view.

Niftyshaving
Thank you very much for that input. That is really interesting. Mack

Are we not going a bit overboard, after all if we listened to the enviromental officer then we would all be dead as you should not do this or eat this.

If that were the case then the human race would have gone long before now!

But as a tattoo artist I know once stated, they would have to be jabbed with HIV tainted blood coated needles some ridiculous number of times in order to even be under a mild threat of infection from it. Once the blood is outside of the body the breakdown occurs. Hepatitis is another thing altogether and far more of a threat. So there are a host of pathogens to be concerned about indeed.