1.6 Minnesota's Infection Control Rule for Estheticians (Minn. R. 2105.0375)

1. Who Is Responsible

"It is the responsibility of all licensees, including the salon owner and the designated licensed salon manager (DLSM) to ensure that all infection control requirements are followed" (subp. 1). The rule applies to items on the premises that could be used for regulated services, even if a practitioner says they are for personal use. State exam area III(c) cites this part directly.

2. Hands, Cleaning and Disinfection

Handwashing (subp. 2). Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry with a single-service towel or air dryer before every service. An alcohol hand rub with at least 60 percent alcohol may replace washing only when hands have no lotion, product or visible soil. Gloves and hand wipes are not a substitute for handwashing.

Cleaning (subp. 3). Before disinfecting any surface or item, remove visible debris and disposable parts, wash with soap and water or a cleaning agent, rinse and dry. A cleaning agent moved out of its original container needs a legible label with its name and use instructions.

Disinfecting (subp. 4):

• A. Use only hospital-level, EPA-registered disinfectants labeled bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal. Alcohol is not an acceptable disinfectant. Bleach products must carry an EPA registration for hospital-level disinfection.
• B. Clean items first.
• C. Follow the label for contact time, safety precautions, dilution and disposal. Sprays and wipes are allowed only where the rule specifically permits them.
• D. Label every solution with its name and any dilution. Discard it immediately if debris is visible. Use measuring devices for dilution. Unless the label says otherwise, mix solutions daily and dispose of them at the end of the day.
• E. Disinfect every surface of a tool, including handles, by fully submerging it in a covered container for the full contact time. Then rinse the tool and dry it before storage.
• F. Covered containers must be large and numerous enough to submerge all tools that need disinfecting.
• G. Wear gloves or use tongs so disinfectant does not touch your skin.

Sterilizing (subp. 4a). Any tool designed to puncture or invade the skin must be cleaned and then sterilized before reuse. Sterilizers must be FDA-registered and listed. Autoclaves need independent-lab spore testing at least every 30 days, a log of each use, test results and maintenance, and 36 months of records kept at the salon. Sterilized tools stay in the pouch they were sterilized in, labeled with the batch number and date. Basic estheticians normally do not use skin-penetrating tools, which are an advanced practice matter.

3. Blood and Body Fluid Exposure (subp. 5)

Stop the service whenever an unexpected injury exposes blood or body fluid, or blood appears as a result of a service. Then:

1. A. Put on gloves.
2. B. If possible, rinse the wound with running water.
3. C. Clean the wound with an antiseptic and cover it with a sterile bandage.
4. D. If the licensee's hand is injured, wear a glove or finger cover over it. If the client is injured, wear gloves on both hands to finish the service.
5. E. Put blood-stained tissue, cotton and other contaminated material in a plastic bag, seal it and discard it.
6. F. Before resuming, remove contaminated equipment from service, clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces, then wash your hands with soap and water.
7. G. Clean contaminated tools, then disinfect or sterilize them.

Section 2.3 applies this sequence to Written Practical scenarios.

4. Storage and Handling (subps. 6 and 7)

• Disinfected items are stored in clean, closed containers, cupboards or drawers, or on a clean towel covered by a clean towel or drape, away from contaminated items.
• Storage containers have solid sides and lids and are cleaned and disinfected weekly and whenever visibly soiled.
• Plastic or paper bags may not hold disinfected items. Only sterilized items stay in sealed wrapping.
• Tools laid out before the client arrives go on a clean cloth or paper towel and are covered by one. That towel is discarded after the service.
• Immediately after each service, tools, implements, linens and other non-electrical items taken from clean storage go into covered, closed containers labeled "used," or are cleaned and disinfected right away.
• Only cleaned and disinfected (or sterilized) tools are used on clients, and the salon keeps a supply large enough for its service volume.
• Creams, fluids, waxes and powders are kept in clean, covered containers and dispensed so the supply is not contaminated. Use disposable or disinfected spatulas, never fingers. Do not store a spatula in the container, and never return removed product to it. Wipe containers and disinfect their exteriors at the end of the day.
• Products not in their original container must be labeled.
• Pencil cosmetics are sharpened before each use with a disinfected sharpener. If the pencil is in a mechanical applicator or too thin to sharpen, remove the exposed tip with disinfected scissors or a knife and wipe the applicator tip with alcohol before the next client.
• Follow the manufacturer's directions. When they recommend a patch test, offer one and tell the client about the risk of adverse reactions. Keep equipment manuals on the premises.
• Do not work on clients with open wounds or sores in the area being serviced.
• No animals except service animals; no live fish, leeches, snails or other creatures in services; no eating or smoking (including e-cigarettes) while working; keep beverages covered; never keep tools in pockets, aprons or holsters. A dropped tool goes to the "used" container or is cleaned and disinfected.

Gloves (subp. 7, item O). Wash hands and wrists before putting on gloves. Change gloves when they tear or touch a non-disinfected surface, object or third person, and discard them after every service. Gloves are required when:

1. performing extractions, waxing or hair removal;
2. using a device or implement that penetrates the skin;
3. servicing skin whose barrier is not intact;
4. the licensee's own hand skin is not intact;
5. mixing or touching disinfectant solutions; and
6. manufacturer directions call for them.

5. Linens, Brushes, Electrical Tools and Single-Use Items

• Laundered items (subp. 8): each towel, robe or linen is used once, washed with detergent and hot water, dried on hot, and stored covered. Soiled linens go in closed containers labeled "used."
• Brushes (subp. 10): makeup brushes, skin-service brushes and mask brushes are cleaned and then disinfected by immersion like other tools. A quick-dry spray alone does not meet the rule.
• Electrical and electronic tools (subp. 11): esthetic machines, steamers, glass or metal electrodes and diffusers are cleaned and disinfected after each use, including the body, handle and cord. Removable nonmetal parts are cleaned and immersed. Skin care machines follow the manufacturer's cleaning and disinfection directions.
• Single-use items (subp. 13): cotton balls, pads and swabs; gauze; sponges; neck strips; wax strips; under-eye pads; tape; wooden applicators; and anything else made of paper, wood, foam or other porous material. Use once and discard right away. Lancets and extraction needles go in a sharps container. New single-use items are stored in covered containers or sealed original packaging.

6. Wax, Fixtures, Steamed Towels and Eyelash Extensions

Wax and paraffin (subp. 14): keep wax pots covered and clean the exterior daily. If debris is found, or the wax is contaminated by skin, an unclean applicator or double-dipping, empty the pot, discard the wax and disinfect the pot. Dip disposable spatulas once and discard them without using the other end. Dip applicators only once unless the wax is single-service and leftovers are discarded. Clean and disinfect any surface a used wax stick touches right after the service. Portion out paraffin for each client.

Fixtures (subp. 15): facial chairs, beds and waxing beds are covered by a clean cloth or paper sheet, and cleaned and disinfected daily, or immediately after bare skin touches the surface. Rolling carts and trays holding tools are disinfected weekly and whenever visibly soiled. Towel warmers are disinfected daily. Steamed towels are washed with detergent and bleach and dried hot. Whoever loads them washes hands or wears gloves. Wet towels are prepared fresh each day, and unused ones are laundered at day's end.

Eyelash extensions (subp. 16): clean and disinfect lash stands, holders, pallets, trays and glue pallets before each client. Keep lashes in closed containers or original packaging. Discard any lashes removed for a client but not used. Portion lashes with disinfected scissors, blades or tweezers.