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The last thing anyone expects is to walk out of a health clinic or beauty salon with an infection. Yet, real-life cases of infections caused by unhygienic practices are not uncommon.
People are indeed carriers of harmful pathogens. In fact, up to 30% of people carry Staphylococcus aureus in their noses or on their skin. While we can never be completely free from the risk of infection, hygiene in healthcare exists for a reason — to minimise this risk as much as possible. By prioritising hygiene, owners of health clinics and beauty salons can ensure that every client receives the care they deserve, free from the risk of infection.
In this blog, we'll delve into some documented cases of infections stemming from poor health clinic or beauty salon hygiene. We'll also explore how adherence to guidelines, like those set by the NSW Government, can safeguard clients, practitioners and businesses.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has put together a comprehensive set of guidelines to help practitioners maintain a high level of hygiene in healthcare, which are available to download. These regulations cover:
Read Everything You Need to Know About Salon Hygiene: A Complete Guide for a more in-depth understanding of NSW’s laws around hygiene in clinics and salons.
Our first two cases feature treatments that don’t penetrate the skin, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a risk of infection. While there is a significantly increased chance of infection with skin-penetrating treatments, it’s still important to maintain hygiene in all services you offer.
In 2017, Kaity Hull’s skin became severely infected a week after getting false eyelashes at a salon in Ringwood, Melbourne. She immediately sought medical help and was diagnosed with a Staphylococcus aureus infection, commonly known as ‘golden staph’.
A small red patch on Hull’s skin quickly escalated into a severe infection covering her entire face, causing intense burning and itching. When she contacted the salon, they dismissed it as teenage acne, ignoring her doctor's diagnosis.
Dermatologist Dr Rodney Sinclair, who examined Hull, stated that he had never seen such a severe staph infection in his 25 years of practice. According to him, proper hygiene could have prevented the infection.
When news of Hull's infection surfaced, the council swiftly intervened, stopping the business from doing eyelash procedures. They were issued with strict directives to comply with before resuming treatments. This required close collaboration with the council and adherence to all their stipulations — a process that is often lengthy and demanding.
Australian model Anthea Page experienced first-hand the risks of unhygienic salon practices back in 2016. Despite the glamorous image associated with modelling, she contracted a staph infection in her eye due to dirty makeup brushes.
Image source: Pedestrian
Make-up artists must use new applicators and products for each client to maintain NSW’s hygiene standards. They must also be vigilant about cleanliness and regularly clean make-up brushes to prevent bacteria from coming into contact with the skin and eyes.
In 2019, an unregistered beauty salon operating at the back of a jewellery shop in Melbourne's south-east exposed hundreds of clients to serious blood-borne infections like HIV and hepatitis. The Sonoun Kimlee Salon had treated many clients since January 2018 before it was shut down in May 2019, offering risky procedures such as tattooing, mole removal, facial fillers and skin tightening.
During health inspections, poor hygiene practices, including cockroaches on equipment, were discovered. The salon's operator, Lee Kim Tan, lacked infection-control knowledge and was found to have imported botox and fillers against customs regulations. These were considered unregistered products — meaning they hadn’t been assessed for quality, safety or efficacy by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Unregistered medicines pose significant health risks, including kidney or organ failure. They may contain banned substances or incorrect dosages, which can severely endanger consumers’ health.
Authorities managed to contact 68 clients who were treated at the salon, but poor record-keeping suggested that the actual number was higher. Clients who visited the salon were urged to consult a doctor for blood tests, as the risk of infection was deemed moderate for hepatitis B and C, and low for HIV.
At the time, health officials released a statement emphasising the importance of receiving cosmetic services only from registered facilities that adhere to proper hygiene standards.
Acupuncture is generally safe for pain relief when performed by trained practitioners with a good knowledge of anatomy. However, serious complications can occur if it's done incorrectly.
In 2005, a 64-year-old man with a history of chronic back pain and spinal stenosis went to his local emergency room with severe back pain and trouble walking. He had received acupuncture on his lower back three days before his hospital visit, using needles over 10 cm long. His pain worsened, and he developed signs of infection.
Initial tests showed signs of infection, but his MRI didn’t reveal significant changes. His condition rapidly deteriorated, developing a high fever and altered mental state. Despite antibiotic treatment, he went into septic shock and required intensive care and ventilator support. Blood cultures identified E. coli as the infection source.
Further testing found bilateral psoas abscesses and infectious spondylitis. The patient opted against emergency surgery and received conservative treatment. Although his fever subsided, he was left with permanent paraplegia — a paralysis of the legs and lower body. After three months of rehabilitation, he was sent home without any improvement in his nerve function.
In June 2018, over 20 customers contracted severe bacterial infections after visiting a massage parlour in Kuala Lumpur. Medical reports revealed that at least four customers were infected with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacteria resistant to common antibiotics. Most victims required surgery to remove infected tissue, and some remained in hospital quarantine due to the highly contagious nature of MRSA.
Image source: Mothership SG
According to our own research, two out of five therapy beds tested positive for the presence of MRSA. When clients lie face down on a therapy bed, their eyes, nose and mouth can be exposed to bacteria. This increases their risk of infection and illness if proper infection control practices aren't followed.
One victim, only known as ‘Hu’, developed severe leg pain and itching after his visit. Despite a week of painkillers and antibiotics, his condition worsened, necessitating immediate surgery to remove dead tissue from eight wounds. The procedure cost RM23,000 (AUD $7,355.86), including follow-up consultations.
Another victim's husband developed rashes and spots, prompting him to warn others on Facebook. His post went viral, connecting other victims who decided to escalate the matter to the authorities. All victims were treated by the same massage therapist and experienced similar symptoms like swelling, pain and pus-filled wounds, with some having difficulty walking.
Whether it's adhering to government guidelines like those set by NSW Health or being vigilant about cleanliness, maintaining hygiene in healthcare is essential for the safety of both clients and practitioners. With products such as our single-use, recyclable FaceShield, BodyShield and PillowGuard, Purifas enables you to provide a safe, clean environment without sacrificing comfort. Browse our range of hygiene solutions today.
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.
