Thank You to all who participated in our survey regarding Autoclaves.

We received some very interesting and some excellent questions. Your concerns are valid and i'm thrilled that so many of you understand....it isn't just about the autoclave keeping your clients safe....its the proper care, the proper use and the proper maintenance of these machines.

Having great tools is useful, but knowing how to properly use them is key.I was hoping to share with you the three (3) different options that Centre for Beauty will be offering in Autoclaves.  However, i'm not happy with the pricing the Mfg. is offering.  I understand the struggle it can be to invest in a piece of equipment.  Therefore, it's non-negotiable.  I need the best price to make affordable options for you, my clients.

So hang tight.  I'll be back soon with pricing information.  In the meantime, we need to Educate ourselves on what these machines are all about. Because of the tremendous amount of responses I received from my survey of last week, i'm able to get to the true guts of what we need to know.Here are some of the great questions which I 100% agree need to be addressed when considering purchasing and autoclave;

1. Are they required in our Salons in the US?
2. Why do we need one?
3. What is the maintenance/upkeep involved
4. How are they cleaned?
5. What's the proper testing for continued accuracy?
6. How man times can they be used per day?
7. How many implements per unit can be placed?
8. Placement of pouches?

There's questions within these questions which we will cover.  Read on for more further detail.

To begin with, in most States they are not required in our Salons.  However, I would highly recommend you check with your own State Board.  I can only speak for Florida.....they are not required.

Then...why do we need one?  Well, simply put, using an autoclave is the highest level of sterilization and Step 3 of our 3 Step program to full and proper disinfection.  1) Cleaning 2) Disinfection 3) Sterilization.  We don't need one, but if you really want to step up your game and be the best you can be....get an autoclave.

However, unless you are using it properly and testing it regularly then it's only about looks.

In addition, if you work in a clinical atmosphere, you shouldn't even ask this question.  If you market yourself as a Safe Salon, a Clinical Salon.....you need to go full force with an Autoclave.

Personally, if I were a Salon owner with many Technicians.  I would want to protect myself, my Business and my clients.  I wouldn't want to take the chance that all my Tech's are cleaning and disinfecting properly.  I didn't have one in my Salon "unfortunately" however, we didn't know then what we know now.  And we all know with the rise of Diebeties and many other immune compromised illnesses, we need to go over and above what we are typically use to doing.  When it comes to maintenance, cleaning and testing, each Mfg's machine will have it's own standardized protocol.  However, I do know the unit has to be tested monthly to make sure it has no leaks, the heating or steaming unit and working properly and it's sterilizing to the highest degree which, is what you should expect.  In short, the monthly testing confirms the machine is killing the bacteria you expect to kill.

If you already have an autoclave, I highly recommend you get the details of your required maintenance  for your specific unit.  If you aren't sending in monthly test strips, getting your reports and logging the information...it's all for show.

Once Centre for Beauty announces what we will be offering, we will have information on each unit along with test strips required for testing.

When it comes to pouches per unit and placement, this also is conducive to the autoclave you may presently have.  Check with your Mfg. or supplier if you don't know the answer.

Centre for Beauty will have this information available once we make our final decision on the units we will endorse.  To the best of my knowledge, usage per day is continuous.  If you think about these units being used in the Medical field, they go all day long.  However, with that being said there will be a huge different in longevity in a $1000.00 unit compared to a $5000.00 unit.

How much you may want to spend is a choice.  You can spend less and have to replace more often or you can go for the gusto right from the start.  Neither is right nor wrong.

I've been asked about financing.  Yes, Centre for Beauty partnered with Paypal Smart Incentives for financing options.  Once we solidify our choices and get them on our website, you will have the option to pay in full or pay over a period of time.

Stay within your budget.  Just remember, you aren't just investing in your Business, you are investing in saving lives

CJ Murray, President

Centre for Beauty Salon Supply

Not only would I respond with an affirmative "What....do I look like a Dr's office?", I would also have said the cost for me to do this would be obnoxious.

Here we are 30 years later, and so much has changed. We have MediNails, we have Medi Pedi, we have Clinical Spas, we have Spas in Dr's offices........just to name a few.

To begin with, let's analyze the cost.

I receive a lot of comments on pricing of tools.  We pay upwards of $94.00 for a callus bit, $30.00 for a nail debriment bit, $5.00 for a cuticle bit and anywhere between $18.00 and $75.00 for tools like curettes, toenail nippers etc.

Unfortunately, I also receive a lot of calls that clients have dropped their tools and implements (and they broke).  I receive calls they rust (which they shouldn't, but do).  And, I receive a lot of calls that the springs break.

What happens?  These tools are our life, we have to replace them.

The question is, how do we recoup the cost of our tools and implements in our Foot Care service.  You can't.  We hope it's a 1X cost, but in most cases...it is not.

When we are considering the cost (and value) of a single use implement, there is more to consider then just cost.

1. Inexpensive.  Due to the inexpensive cost of single use tools, you CAN incorporate the cost into your service *see below
2. Your image.  Image is huge and perceived value is even bigger.
3. Different.  The sub standard Salon down the street is NOT using single use implements.
4. Sanitary.  Can you imagine a tag line "we use single use implements in all our Foot Care services"

When it comes to the cost involved, we are literally talking $2.12 - $5.78 depending on the tool you use.

1. You can easily increase your Foot Care service to cover the cost of the implement.  I hardly doubt any client would argue over this.
2. If you do increase your cost, you have the option of saving that implement for your client.  Many of you use packets for files and toe separators....is this any different?
3. You also have the option of giving it to your client after the service.  With this, you can offer the option to your client and collect another $5.00.

In addition, when it comes to proper or improper sanitary procedures, can you be sure every technician in your facility is properly disinfecting?

Is the cost of a client getting an infection from a dirty implement less than $5.00?  Of course not.  Single use implements are the answer to many many in-salon challenges.

It may not be the answer for all, but it sure is a good answer

Our Industry is changing.  Our clients are more aware of the concerns within our Beauty Salons and Spas which can directly affect them.

We aren't the Medical Profession.  However, we are often the first responders.  If we want our clients to take us more seriously, we have to continuously take steps to protect them.....to protect us.

Centre for Beauty is offering a 3 piece set of single use implements to the first 10 clients who respond to this article.

Nipper, Cuticle bit, Callus/toenail reducer bit

If you would like to try for yourself and see the quality, reach out to me at cj@centreforbeauty.com.  Type in the email FREE single use implements

CJ Murray

Centre for Beauty Salon Supply