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Personal Service Settings

Visiting a Personal Service Setting

Personal Service Settings in Ontario are checked to make sure they keep things clean and safe. This is done under a law called Ontario Regulation 136/18: Personal Service Settings.

Personal Service Settings are places where you get personal care or beauty services. These can be at salons, festivals, mobile spas, or even private homes. Some examples are:

  • Tattooing and piercings
  • Permanent make-up
  • Micro-blading and micropigmentation
  • Haircuts and barbering
  • Nail care, waxing, facials, and eyelash extensions.

These services can sometimes expose you to blood or body fluids. Before you get a service, it’s important to check that the place follows good cleaning and safety rules to help prevent infections.

For more information about reducing your risk of infection or to discuss infection control practices in personal service settings, call the health unit at 705-721-7520 or toll-free at 1-877-721-7520 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

Before visiting a personal service setting, know this:

  • Serious infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV can spread if the place does not follow proper cleaning rules. You do not need to see blood or fluids for infection to occur.
  • Only go to places that have been inspected. You can check by:
  • Looking for inspection reports posted on our Inspection Connection webpage
  • Seeing a health inspection sign posted at the place.
  • The facility should be clean and bright, with:
  • A sink with hot and cold water, single use towels and soap for hand washing
  • A separate sink to clean tools
  • Single-use tools (if needed)
  • A clean area to sterilize tools that are used again
  • Talk to your service provider. Ask how they clean and disinfect tools. Watch to see if they wash their hands and use clean or new equipment for you.
  • If you are worried about how clean the place is, you can make a complaint on our website. A public health inspector will check it out.

If you are getting an invasive service like a tattoo, piercing, or micro needling, look for these safety steps:

  • The operator explains the service and any risks.
  • The operator washes their hands and wears new clean gloves.
  • Skin is cleaned with antiseptic before the procedure.
  • A single-use cover is placed on the surface where the service happens.
  • New, sterile needles are used each time.
  • If there is no sterilizer, only single-use needles and equipment are used.
  • Ear piercing tools are used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Sterile hollow needles are used to pierce any part of the body.
  • Only sterile, safe jewelry, made of body-friendly materials is used.
  • The artist does not dip needles back into ink that was used on others.
  • Used needles are put into a sharps container.
  • Reusable tools and surfaces are cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized after each client.
  • You get written and spoken instructions on how to care for your tattoo or piercing while it heals.
  • Your contact info is taken in case a follow-up is needed.

Before Getting Any Service:

  • Make sure your skin is healthy with no cuts, infections, or rashes.
  • Personal services should only be done on skin that is not broken and is free from infections.
  • If you have any skin problems, see a doctor and wait until your skin heals before getting the service.

After Getting a Service That Breaks the Skin (Tattooing/Piercing)

  • Keep the area clean.
  • Follow all aftercare instructions from your service provider.
  • Always wash your hands well before putting on creams or ointments and before touching or turning your jewelry.
  • If you think the area might be infected, see a doctor within 24 hours.
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