Disposable kits to help barbers cut health risks

Hairdressing salons in Al Ain have been instructed to use a different set of disposable implements for every individual customer from January 1 as the municipality steps up a campaign to enhance hygiene at such barbershops. The use of the disposable implements will be mandatory. Each kit will include disposable combs, razors, and covering sheets. Al Ain Municipality has issued these instructions to promote cleanliness at barbershops and beauty salons and check transmission of infectious diseases. Ishtiaq Ahmad, a Pakistani national working at one of the shops, said he had received a note from the municipality about the changes. "We understand the health concerns as a little negligence could cause a serious problem for customers," he said. The measure will add up in charges, he said. "Shop owners are already bearing high fees and maintenance costs to meet the municipality's requirements." Abu Bakr P.S., an Indian employee at another salon, said disposable sets of implements would merely be a visual enhancement as barbers are very careful about hygiene and sterilisation of implements. "Frankly speaking, I am not aware of any major disease breakout for which barbershops have been held responsible," he said. "The municipality should also allow us an increase in haircut charges in view of the rising inflation and costs," he added. The Public Health Department at Al Ain Municipality has a team of around a hundred inspectors who have been actively monitoring barbershops in the city. "The inspectors are specially trained in effective hygiene and instrument sterilisation control," said an official of the municipality. Dr Riaz Minhas, a physician at the Emirates Clinic and Medical Centre in Al Ain, highlighted the importance of hygiene. There are thousands of types of viruses and germs that can cause skin infections and other diseases, he said. "These tiny organisms can be easily transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person by a contaminated instrument," he said. The use of disposable implements at barber shops will minimise the risks of regular customers contracting skin problems like herpes simplex and herpes zoster, and more deadly infections such as HIV and hepatitis C, among others, he said. Health concerns Dr Minhas said that there are also countless scalp diseases which might spread from barbershops if hair trimmers, blades and towels are not properly disinfected, adding that people must be aware of this and they must ask the barber to use properly disinfected or disposable instruments and towels.