Straight Razor Sanitation for Professional Use

Can anyone assist with explaining the proper sanitation process for a conventional blade that will be used on multiple people? I am a student barber and we are pushed to use disposable blade razors. The barber board in my state allows us to use conventional blades but the instructors have never used them and are unable to define the proper way to sanitize them between shaves. I’ve even been told by one instructor that they are not sanitary to use at all in barber shops. I assume this statement was made out of ignorance because no substantiation was given for his comment, but I defiantly don’t want to spread anything between customers because of negligence on my part.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you guys may have,

This is what I use to sanitize my razors with; found at Sally's Beauty Supplies...

Attachment 99839

That is what I have been using as well. We use it on most of our equipment (shears, combs, etc.) Do you think it is enough? I know it is effective against certain blood borne pathogens but not all of them. I am really concerned with the different strains of Hepatitis.

I don't have that professional of an answer for you. Maybe a member who has a medical background can answer that. I feel comfortable with it, but then the only possible casualty is myself; I am not servicing clients.

My barber says that alcohol sprayed on the razor and allowed to dry is enough sanitation and that the Barbercide is good also. He also states that the problem with infections comes more from the strop than the blade proper. Do be aware that Barbercide will remove gold wash and may effect some scale materials.

HYDROCIDE ...also at Sally's, works the same as Barbacide at 1/3 the cost. I've switch over to it.
The strop thing did worry me. I usually splash some alcohol on the blade before I use it.

I would have thought that any razor that was used on the public would have to be steralized in something like an autoclave these days. If you nick a customer and get blood on the blade then I'd think it would be no different to something like Dentists tools etc that have a mandated steralization process. Great if tht isn't the case but it'd be something you'd need to check thoroughly .

I would be willing to bet that the State has a procedure listed someplace...

What Glen said.

Your state will outline exactly what needs to take place. Any inspections they perform would be based on those regulation steps.

Thanks for you're input. Sterilization is not required of barbers. That's kind of why I'm asking the question. The state barber board director said soap and water but I think only doing that would be hazardous to the public.

Here is what I've been doing:
1. Spray with andis cool care (we disinfect out clippes with this product).
2. Soap and water
3. 10 minute bath in barbacide
4. Wipe down with andis blade care (basically like the other product however this one is made for lubrication as well. It stays on the blade until I am ready to use it again).

In what state do you do your barbering? Most state barbering boards have mandated against the use of straight razors and require that a shavette with a replaceable blade be used.

Regards - Walt

I am in Ohio. I think when HIV hit the scene barber boards did suggest the use of disposable blades but that's before much was known about the disease. All the states I live around allow conventional razors to be used. In fact it is part of the practical examination to become a barber in Ohio and PA to show ones ability to touch up a razor with a barber hone as well as using the strope.

New Jersey states

13:28-3.2 Sanitizing implements and tools

(a) A licensee shall sanitize all implements and tools by:

1. Cleaning all implements and tools thoroughly with a mild alkaline detergent to remove any soil, blood or any other foreign material;

2. Rinsing all implements and tools with tap water after cleaning;

3. Processing all implements and tools with a chemical disinfectant registered by the Environmental Protection Agency and labeled as being tuberculocidal for a contact time as specified on the product label *or processing all implements and tools in an autoclave that is registered with the Federal Food and Drug Administration*;

4. (No change.)

5. Allowing disinfected implements and tools to be air dried and storing them in a clean drawer.

They also require students to be able to hone and strop.

Now that being said....the laws for pedicure tools are much more elaborate. Requiring and enzyme soak and, mild alkaline detergent, then an ultra sonic machine. They also outline a school should provide student with a shaving razor with disposable blades, but do not exclude the use of a traditional straight.

Years ago, I oversaw a study regarding HIV blood contact & contamination for a large Southern California Law Enforcement Organization. The results of the study recommended cleaning re-unable tools & evidence (e.g. crime scene photographic, laboratory equipment & ballistic evidence) handled by technicians with a 10% bleach solution. That is what we used, with no employee infections as a result.

If you really wanted to be sure and thorough, I would suggest using a stainless stell razor (blade and scales), thoroughly cleaning the blade and then run it through a small autoclave. That way, there is no doubt. You could get two or three and that way one is always ready to go. I have a stainless steel Dovo (blade and scales) and it's not a bad razor. You can usually get a small used "office" autoclave for a few hundred dollars from a reputable medical supply company. I think that would comply with any regulations you might incounter. But I definately recommend checking with the State to see what they will be looking for during any inspection.