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Closing: 5.00 pm on Friday 20 December 2024.
Reopening: 9.00 am on Monday 6 January 2025.
We wish you all a merry and safe Christmas and New Year.
In therapy and beauty settings, keeping things clean is key to protecting everyone from infections. So whether you're at a clinic or a salon, the cleanliness of the space and tools plays a big role in keeping you safe and healthy.
This is where Purifas comes in. An innovator in hygiene solutions, we’re dedicated to setting new standards for cleanliness and safety. We do this by creating advanced products designed to minimise the risk of infections and enhance your comfort during treatments.
In this blog, we'll explore the science behind Purifas products, including our FaceShield and BodyShield. We'll discuss how these products are designed to improve hygiene practices and offer you a safer, more comfortable experience.
Hygiene isn't just about looking clean — it's essential for keeping diseases at bay. A 2017 study revealed that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect about 165,000 patients annually in Australian hospitals alone. This is mostly due to lapses in hygiene practices.
These infections, which affect 1 in every 74 hospitalisations, lead to increased morbidity, mortality and readmission risks. The financial burden is also substantial, with over $3 billion spent annually on treating these mostly preventable complications.
But the risk of illness extends far beyond hospitals. Community settings such as shopping centres, schools, childcare centres and even beauty spas have many shared surfaces that are home to harmful bacteria, like influenza. Influenza causes approximately 13,500 hospitalisations and over 3,000 deaths among Australians aged over 50 each year. Studies like these show that infections can have serious personal and financial effects. That’s why it's so important for places like health and beauty clinics to follow strict hygiene practices.
Poor hygiene in therapy and beauty settings can have serious consequences. Even a small lapse in cleanliness can lead to significant health risks. Imagine lying down for a relaxing massage or a beauty treatment, only to leave with a potentially life-threatening infection.
Here's the reality: anyone receiving health or beauty treatments can unknowingly be exposed to harmful pathogens. These can range from common bacteria to serious viruses like hepatitis B, hepatitis C or antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Infections can spread through contaminated surfaces, unsterilised tools or even from the therapists themselves.
Good hygiene practices are essential to prevent these dangers. Without strict hygiene standards, you risk not just a minor illness but severe infections that require extensive medical treatment. In some cases, these infections can even lead to long-term health complications or, as seen in real-life cases, cancer.
Choosing salons and clinics that maintain high cleanliness standards safeguards your health and those around you. Don’t let a relaxing treatment turn into a health nightmare. Demand high hygiene standards and protect yourself from the unseen dangers lurking in poorly maintained environments.
In Portland, Oregon, an anesthesiologist who failed to adhere to proper infection control protocols exposed over 2,400 patients to infectious diseases, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
Providence Health Systems revealed that the anesthesiologist, who worked across multiple facilities from 2017 to 2023, may not have followed standard infection control practices. The violation involved improper handling and use of equipment that potentially contaminated patients. Even though the risk of catching an infection was low, the hospitals quickly informed those who might be affected and offered free blood tests to check for any infections.
In 2023, a Californian woman, Grace Garcia, developed a serious health condition following a routine manicure. It all began when her finger was cut with unsterilised tools during a manicure.
The cut, which occurred in November 2021, initially appeared to heal. However, Grace experienced persistent pain and tenderness in the affected finger. By April 2022, a biopsy revealed that the injury had led to squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer linked to human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus, commonly spread through skin-to-skin contact, had entered through the cut, causing the cancer.
With these hygiene challenges in mind, let's examine the research behind Purifas products. Our commitment to thorough testing means more cleanliness and comfort for you.
In August 2019, we randomly tested the face holes of five therapy beds from five private clinics across Australia. Four clinics used terry towelling covers and paper-based head sheets, while one clinic used only a paper towel as a barrier around the face hole. Here’s what we found:
All beds had moderate to large amounts of non-harmful bacteria, such as skin cells and skin flora.
When you lie face down on a therapy bed, your eyes, nose, and mouth can come into contact with bacteria. Without proper infection control, this can increase the risk of getting sick. Our FaceShield is scientifically engineered to provide comprehensive coverage and protection. It’s the world's first head barrier with 100% face-hole coverage, specifically designed to reduce bacterial transmission.
Our research confirms that the FaceShield significantly reduces exposure to harmful bacteria, and our patented skirt design provides an extra layer of protection against bacteria that may have transferred from the client to the bed.
To test the effectiveness of our BodyShield in reducing bacterial transmission, we sponsored a clinical trial conducted by an independent microbiologist from Macquarie University. Here’s what the trial involved:
The results showed that during a 10-minute massage, the left armpit transferred an average of 143 bacteria CFUs (colony-forming units), and the right armpit transferred 122 CFUs. Without the BodyShield, these CFUs would expose the next client to bacteria if hygiene practices were not followed.
When using the BodyShield, bacteria from the left armpit was reduced by 98% and from the right by 91%. When we combined data from both armpits, we discovered that bacteria was reduced by 94%.
Additional bacterial filtration testing also showed that the BodyShield filters 81% of bacteria, compared to just 21% for a standard, unbranded cover. This is key to stopping germs from spreading from client to client.
At Purifas, innovation is at the heart of our mission. We continuously invest in research and development to ensure our fit-for-purpose products meet the highest standards of hygiene and comfort. Our dedication to scientific and clinical research drives us to create products that offer real value to therapists and happy experiences for clients.
Developed to address specific hygiene challenges in therapy and beauty clinics, our FaceShield and BodyShield are the result of extensive testing and innovation. By prioritising rigorous research and evidence-based design, we strive to reduce healthcare-associated infections and enhance the overall safety and comfort of therapy treatments.
When it comes to keeping things clean, Purifas offers smart, innovative solutions that enhance your safety and comfort. Our FaceShield and BodyShield are made with your protection and comfort in mind and are supported by solid scientific research. By picking salons and clinics that use Purifas products, you're not only getting a safer, cleaner experience but also helping fight against healthcare-associated infections. Find your closest Purifas clinic or introduce your therapist to Purifas.
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.
