'Standard' hygiene practice during treatment often involves using paper head sheets or towels for shared surfaces on the massage table. However, these products fall short in providing adequate protection, putting your clients at risk of infection. Moreover, they frequently cause discomfort and generate unnecessary waste.
In massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy and other therapy treatments, here's how the industry's most popular solutions are failing in duty of care, customer experience and environmental impact.
On the surface, paper seems like a great solution — single-use, disposable and usually recyclable. No problem, right?
Not quite. While paper is single-use, it often tears during treatment, allowing fluids to seep through. Some paper sheets provide better bacterial filtration but are made from mixed materials, including plastic polyethylene lining, which makes them non-recyclable.
Moreover, all paper-based head sheets on the market fail in a critical way — they do not cover the internal area of the face hole, where clients place their eyes, nose and mouth during treatment. This exposes them to bacteria.
Besides the risk of harmful germs, there’s also the discomfort of post-treatment wrinkles and irritated skin. Paper is rough against the face, and the sound of rustling doesn't contribute to a relaxing experience.
In most therapy settings, towels are indispensable. However, did you know they can also be breeding grounds for bacteria?
Warm, absorbent and often damp, towels can retain everything from harmful skin flora to infectious and deadly diseases. Swab testing of treatment beds in five different clinics found traces of rhinovirus and Staphylococcus aureus on the internal aspect of the face hole.
Even worse, no matter how thoroughly you wash them, stubborn germs are likely to linger. Research indicates that even hospital grade laundering cannot eliminate 100% of contaminants from towels.
You might think at least towels are reusable, right? But, they may not be as eco-friendly as they seem. Washing towels daily demands a significant amount of water and energy. Did you know a standard washing machine uses between 60 and 130 litres of water per load? Consider the environmental impact of your business doing multiple loads every week — it’s a significant use of resources.
Additionally, the convenience of towels comes with a significant drawback — the time spent laundering them. The hours you spend washing each day’s towels could be far better utilised elsewhere, whether it’s treating more clients, focusing on your business, spending time with family or even taking a well-deserved moment for yourself.
Moreover, towels don't even cover the internal aspect of the therapy bed's face hole, leaving this critical area exposed.
Soft, silent and client preferred, the Purifas FaceShield is the first and only product worldwide to provide 100% face-hole coverage. It is scientifically proven to reduce bacterial transmission by 86%. Additionally, clinical testing has revealed that there is a significant reduction in bacterial transfer with its use.
Made from two-ply polypropylene, the FaceShield is as smooth as silk and will stay intact for the entire treatment. Its luxurious feel is sure to impress your clients.
Don’t just listen to us — take the word of clients. Purifas conducted market research where clients experienced treatment with a paper product and then the FaceShield. Almost 90% of clients preferred the FaceShield, and 70% referenced comfort and improved feel compared to paper sheets.
Make the swap not only for your clients but also for the environment. Healthcare services contribute to 7% of Australia’s carbon footprint. Some waste is unavoidable and in healthcare, necessary, for example, disposal of acupuncture needles or single-use gloves. That’s why taking control of the waste you can reduce or recycle is more important than ever.
The FaceShield is 100% recyclable. Therapists can return their used FaceShields to Purifas HQ, where we handle the recycling in partnership with RecycleSmart. Alternatively, you can create a RecycleSmart account and book your first recycling pickup directly. Purifas customers enjoy their first pickup free of charge. For more details, visit our recycling page. To claim your special offer for a free first pickup, head over to our affiliates page (you'll need to log in to your customer account to access offer details).
Say goodbye to paper and towels, and hello to a safer, more comfortable and environmentally friendly solution — Purifas FaceShield. It’s the best swap you’ll make!
The FaceShield is available for purchase at AU$39.60 per box of 100. Get yours here. Alternatively, order a free sample box of 10 FaceShields to experience the quality for yourself.
Ensuring top-notch hygiene in therapy and allied health settings is vital for client safety. Shared equipment can easily lead to cross-contamination without strict hygiene protocols. Towels, frequently used in these environments, can harbour bacteria even after washing, posing risks to both clients and therapists. This guide will help you understand these risks, avoid common mistakes and implement the best hygiene practices, all while being environmentally conscious.