Thread: UV sterilzers?

I've seen some ads for barber equipment sterilizers which use UV light.
The electric toothbrush that I purchased recently even came with one
in the kit.

How well do they work? What organisms do they or do they not eradicate?

Is there a danger that they might damage the scales of a straight razor?

Thanks in advance.

Paul

They don't actually steralize or sanitize anything, their purpose is to create an environment that is unkind to bacteria.

Are you concerned about your razors? I don't think there is much reason to be. Most bad things cannot live on the steel for very long. If you restore your razors in any way (even just metal polish), you are removing the outer layers of metal and anything on them. But even if you don't, the risk is still minimal.

I'm not going to touch the sterilization issue. I would guess a home version at best could accomplish a bit of disinfection. However, UV light can be bad for some scale material and some wood finishes.

Mostly, I was just curious. I don't do restorations, and nobody but me uses my razors.

Thanks for the quick replies!

Paul

No longer recommended as a barber's sterilizing agent. Human exposure to UV light usually should be minimized to prevent possible skin burn and skin cancer. The most common source of human UV exposure is sun light. Exposure to natural sun light and drying kills many but not all microbes.

The public health concern is usually transmitting infectious disease agents from one person to another throught contact with multi-use instruments that have not been adequately sterilized between clients.

UV works best for killing microbes in the air and on UV light exposed smooth hard surfaces where the microbes can come in contact with UV light photons. UV cannot sterilize microbes on shaded hard smooth surfaces.

The UV photons damage UV exposed microbial DNA preventing microbial reproduction and normal metabolism. UV exposure also induces DNA mutation which is why it can cause skin cancer.

UV will not sterilize anything that is not directly exposed to the UV light which is why it will not sterilize unexposed microbes inside dirt particles and dirt layers. It will not sterilize microbes in sponges, pumice stones, brushes, and UV unexposed razor surfaces.

The steam autoclave is the gold standard for sterilization. The Wapienica straight razor has a blade of stainless steel and has stainless steel scales so that it can tolerate steam sterilization and be used in a medical setting.

Disinfectants proven effective against the microbes of interest are usually feasible for items that cannot tolerate heat. Alcohol or chlorine bleach diluted 1/10 with water works well and quickly for most microbes of interest.

There are some items that may not tolerate alcohol or bleach exposure. For such items, special techniques and agents may be necessary.

73 A35RK de KB1IKD

HTH

Originally Posted by sheajohnw

No longer recommended as a barber's sterilizing agent.

HTH

I don't know about other states but in Michigan barbers still must use a light box as per the state board.

I would be careful with UV and most materials. it can be very damaging. Just look what it can do to you and your skin and eyes. Maybe metal scales would be safe.

Regulation change in industry often lags behind changes in what is recommended as best infectious disease control and occupational health protection practice by public health experts.

UV boxes are sometimes still required by state regulation. While hair salon operators must comply with regulations, the use of UV Boxes is inconsistent with best infection prevention practice.

We advise shop operators to consult with their state and local regulators and follow their directives. Sometimes suspension of enforcement of what is recognized as obsolete regulations occurs before actual regulation change.

UV boxes are a possibly convient storage device but lack sufficient infectious disease control benefit.

HTH

Originally Posted by sheajohnw

Regulation change in industry often lags behind changes in what is recommended as best infectious disease control and occupational health protection practice by public health experts.

UV boxes are sometimes still required by state regulation. While hair salon operators must comply with regulations, the use of UV Boxes is inconsistent with best infection prevention practice.

We advise shop operators to consult with their state and local regulators and follow their directives. Sometimes suspension of enforcement of what is recognized as obsolete regulations occurs before actual regulation change.

UV boxes are a possibly convient storage device but lack sufficient infectious disease control benefit.

HTH

That excerpt seems to pertain to salons and I don't recall ever seeing a UV box in a salon unless it was in the manicurist area. I wish we didn't have to use them and not because of health concerns ( exposure is limited to a couple of seconds) but because they are a pain to use (I have 6 sets of clippers, 3 pair of shears, 13 blades for my detachable clippers, a bunch of guards, several razors, and a handful of combs) and nothing fits. It is an old system of bygone days, Im just glad they don't expect us to use the old fume boxes.