How often should a licensee wash and/or use sanitizer?

The correct answer indicates that a licensee should wash and/or use sanitizer before servicing each client. This practice is essential for maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety in the salon environment.

Prepping the work area and ensuring that personal hygiene practices are followed before starting any service helps to prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. By sanitizing or washing hands, the professional establishes a clean baseline prior to interacting with clients, thereby protecting both the client and the practitioner. It's a fundamental practice aligned with infection control protocols.

In a salon setting, while it is certainly important to maintain hygiene at various intervals throughout the day, the act of sanitizing or washing hands immediately before servicing a client ensures that any contaminants acquired from previous tasks or interactions do not get transferred. This step is critical in a field where close contact and personal service occur, making proactive sanitation vital for client safety and overall health.