Principles of Infection and the Makeup Artist
The working makeup artists have direct contact with skin, as well as mouths, noses and eyes. While the importance of sanitation and proper hygiene is taught in both cosmetology and esthetics programs, it is taught less reliably in the world of makeup artistry. As a result, many makeup artists remain unaware of the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of viruses/infection.
Coming into contact with the public in such an intimate and personal way necessitate that the artist be knowledgeable about the risk of infection and principles of prevention.
To better protect the public, the following tools and techniques are recommended to ensure that we keep our makeup applications safe.
We cannot stress enough the importance of cosmetic sanitation. Just as we would not use products from a dirty retail counter display, we do not want to apply “dirty” makeup on our clients or ourselves. Strive to be that makeup artist who is distinguished from the others by their focus on sanitary cosmetic applications.
I.
THE INFECTIOUS ORGANISMS
These organisms cause a range of illnesses, including but not limited to, skin infections and blood poisoning.
A.
BACTERIA
Bacteria exist on non-sanitary surfaces. There are bacteria on virtually everything. However, it is only the pathogenic bacteria that pose a risk for infection.
“Pathogenic” bacteria are harmful; the molecules can exist on almost any surface and are so small that they can be seen only with a microscope. In the absence of pathogenic bacteria, there can be no infection.
Pathogenic bacteria includes
Cocci: staphylococci, streptococci, diplococci which may cause, respectively, tissue inflammation (abscesses, pustules and boils); strep throat and blood poisoning; and pneumonia.
Bacilli: the most common bacteria, which may produce diseases such as tetanus, typhoid fever, tuberculosis and diphtheria.
Spirilla: may cause syphilis and/or Lyme Disease.
E-coli 0157: H7- may cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
Some types of infectious staph bacteria (MRSA) are resistant to conventional antibiotics. Without proper and immediate treatment, the localized infection can become systemic, with sometime fatal results.
Contagious, communicable diseases are also a category of bacterial (and viral) infection. The common cold, and/or “pink eye”, may prevent the makeup artist from servicing the client. The most common way to spread a contagious disease is by failure to wash hands, and the failure to cover the mouth when sneezing or coughing. The use of contaminated implements can also spread communicable disease, as can sharing drinking cups, telephones, towels, and touching open cuts, sores and mouth/nose/eye discharge.
B.
VIRUSES
A parasitic microscopic particle that infects and resides in the cells of living organisms. A virus can live and reproduce on their own if they have taken over other cells. There are vaccinations for certain viruses; however, not all viruses have vaccines and are very hard to “kill”. Antibiotics are useful only with respect to bacteria; viruses cause common colds, digestive tract infections, measles, mumps, chicken pox, smallpox, rabies, respiratory infections, yellow fever, hepatitis, polio, influenza and HIV (which causes AIDS).
C.
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
Bloodborne pathogens are carried by the blood or bodily fluids; they can invade the body anytime that there is a break in the skin. An extreme example is the HIV virus; also of concern is the hepatitis virus that can cause liver damage.
D.
FUNGI
Fungi are microscopic plant parasites that include molds, mildew and yeast. Fungi can produce contagious diseases such as ringworm.
E.
PARASITES
Parasites grow, feed and shelter on or in another organism (host) on or inside humans and animals. Internal parasites may be acquired by eating fish or meat that is not properly cooked; external parasites include ticks, fleas and mites. Contaminated counters, tools and equipment must be cleaned and disinfected with a bleach solution.
