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Wellness Gaps

Why is Personal Presentation Important at Work?

By Ion Doaga

There are so many obstacles that stop an employee's growth within a company. And one of these obstacles is the employee's poor personal presentation.

Without a good personal presentation, an employee may never receive positive attention. But he will get enough negative attention. 

Without knowing him well, his coworkers make negative assumptions based on his appearance. They'll say things like "He is not professional", "He's a negative person", or He is a bad team player".

The truth is that they express their concern about his poor personal hygiene. They think that he doesn't want to make their life easier while working in the same team.

What if the employee would try to improve his presentation in the workplace? Would his coworkers consider his efforts to be in the team? Would all the negative perceptions about the employee disappear?

May ... but that's not the only benefit of having a good personal presentation at work.

See below which the benefits of aligning your appearance with the company’s standards .

What is a personal presentation at work?

A good personal presentation speaks about the employee as a responsible employee. That's a message that influences his coworkers, supervisors, and managers. 

Dressing, behaving and communicating  appropriately  leave a good first impression. 

It’s a way of telling everybody that you want to be helpful to their working environment rather than being a hurdle . 

The importance of personal hygiene in the workplace

Effects of inappropriate personal presentation in the workplace.

You heard the saying that you have only one chance to make a good impression on yourself. That’s especially important when you build relationships with coworkers or represent the company meeting clients face to face. Let’s imagine the following situations where Jerry is our hero:

• If, while meeting clients, Jerry dresses inappropriately it may result in lost opportunities and sales . Customers judge their service provider reps by their appearance too. They have a hard time trusting a  poorly dressed person.
• Jerry works in a beauty salon where clients come to make themselves beautiful. In this case, clients expect Jerry to have good personal hygiene and appearance. 
• Now, imagine that Jerry is a real estate broker.  In such a case, any poor sign on Jerry’s appearance takes the client's focus from what Jerry tells them about the features of the house . Every time the client is distracted from the employers' words, his chances to sell the house decreases .
• Now, Jerry arrives into the office looking like he rolled out of bed. He didn’t clean his teeth. He didn’t clean his nails, and his hair spikes due to unwashed hair. He just gave his coworkers a reason to be talked behind his back. In the eyes of management, sloppiness is a sign of disrespect for your job.

Which are the most important personal image standards at work?

1. be well-groomed.

To be well-groomed follow the below basic grooming tips: 

• use deodorant without excesses.
• maintain a clean hairstyle.
• trim your nails.
• shave your face. Or if you have a beard, maintain it regularly.
• wear clean and fresh clothes matching the style and color.
• avoid wearing excessive jewelry. 
• 14 Tips for Maintaining Employee Personal Hygiene at Work

2. Maintain a healthy image

Another element of personal presentation is a healthy physical appearance.

A healthy look speaks about practicing healthy habits, eating well, and exercising.

This keeps the employee energized and positive.

A healthy employee is more efficient and takes fewer sick leaves.

While on the other side, poor health speaks about an employee as having a weak character. That tells his boss or coworkers that if he can’t take care of his health then he can't take care of the company as well.

3. Maintain good hygiene 

• maintain a dental hygiene routine to avoid such hygiene issues such as bad breath, caries, teeth yellowing.  
• maintain good body hygiene to avoid releasing embarrassing odors and skin diseases. 
• wear clean and ironed clothes.
• wash your hands often to avoid the spreading of your microorganisms within the office.

4. Show a friendly attitude

Besides maintaining a good workplace personal hygiene and having a pleasant physical look, you must also behave professionally. This means treating your coworkers and clients with a positive and professional attitude:

• greet and welcome guests appropriately.
• use suitable language.
• show good and friendly manners.
• open doors for guests. 
• offer seats.
•  be confident and maintain good posture.
• be punctual.

Your presentation at work plays an important role in your career growth.

Maintaining a professional appearance helps your coworkers and your boss perceive you as a valuable employee in the company while your clients perceive you as a helpful and useful professional at their job.

ABOUT ION DOAGA

Why personal presentation is so important

Did you know it takes only a few seconds to form a first impression of someone?

An employer will have likely formed an impression of you before you’ve even had a chance to say hello.

Why is good personal presentation so important when meeting employers?

First impressions are really important when meeting employers. Employers will likely make assumptions about you based on how you look and dress. To make a positive first impression, take some time to think about what message your personal appearance and body language might be sending.

Consider the following:

• Your physical appearance. Are you wearing clean and neat clothes? Is your hair clean and brushed?

Dressing well shows the employer you are taking them seriously. It can also help you feel more confident and professional.

• Your body language . Are you smiling? Making eye contact? Is you posture good?

Positive body language can show the employer that you are genuinely interested in meeting them.

• How you speak to and get along with others. Are you being friendly and polite to everyone you meet?

This can show an employer how well you interact with others around you. This can also show them how you might fit into their workplace.

These tips can help you ensure you make a good first impression:

1. dress the part.

Think carefully about what to wear to an interview.

Show the employer that you are serious about the job by putting effort into your clothing.

So what should you wear? 

• For a professional office job. Wear business attire (clean and ironed). Keep makeup and jewellery to a minimum.
• Casual and less conservative setting (for example retail, hospitality or a trades position). Try to dress up rather than down and go for neat, clean and ironed at a minimum. Remember that what you see workers wearing on the job might not reflect what the employer expects applicants to wear at an interview, so always dress a little better.

2. Do your hair

Make sure your hair is clean and tidy. If it is long, tie it back so it's not in your eyes. Employers have told us that applicants who have untidy or dirty hair do not leave a good impression.

3. Watch your body language

Employers are impressed by job seekers who:

• smile and are friendly
• make eye contact
• have good posture (it makes you appear more confident).

Practise meeting an employer for the first time in front of a mirror. This can give you immediate feedback on how you appear to an employer.

These tools can help you:

Networking and personal presentation.

Tips to help you network and present you best self to employers.

Personal presentation tips

Tips on presenting well at interview.

Succeeding at job interviews

Use this workbook to help you prepare for a job interview.

Related articles

How to make a great first impression on employers.

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How to succeed at job interviews

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Personal presentation is how you portray and present yourself to other people. It includes how you look, what you say, and what you do, and is all about marketing YOU, the brand that is you.

What others see and hear from you will influence their opinion of you. Good personal presentation is therefore about always showing yourself in the best possible light.

We all know that you only get one chance to make a first impression. Most of us are probably also aware that it takes quite a long time to undo that first impression—and that if it is negative, we may never get the chance to do so. This page explains some of the skills involved in making a good first impression—and then continuing to impress over time.

Understanding Personal Presentation

Personal presentation is about you and how you present yourself to others.

This includes both in everyday situations and when under pressure, for example, at job interviews. It is best thought of as a form of communication , because it always involves at least two people—the person presenting themselves (you) and the person seeing and hearing you.

Personal presentation covers what other people both see and hear. It includes how you look, what you say, and what you do. It therefore requires a wide range of skills, from improving your personal appearance to your communication skills.

However, all these aspects start from one place: you.

To present yourself well and confidently, you need to believe in yourself—or at least, be able to act as if you do.

Perception is Truth

People who present themselves as confident will be perceived as such by others.

There is also plenty of evidence that once we start acting as if we are confident, we generally feel more confident too.

Confidence—but not arrogance—is a very attractive trait. Having a justified belief in yourself and your abilities helps other people to be confident in you too.

Good personal presentation therefore requires good self-esteem and self-confidence. It means that you have to learn about yourself, and understand and accept who you are, both your positives and your negatives, and be comfortable with yourself. This does not, however, mean that you believe that there is nothing that you can improve—but that you are confident in your ability to achieve, and know how to overcome your flaws.

Paradoxically, therefore, personal presentation is actually not about being self-conscious or overly concerned with what others think about you. People who present themselves well generally do so because they believe in themselves, rather than because they are worried about what other people think. These concepts are closely related to Personal Empowerment .

A complete picture—and a cycle

Personal presentation is about conveying appropriate signals for the situation and for the other individuals involved.

People who lack self-esteem and confidence may fail to convey their message effectively or fully utilise their skills and abilities because of the way they present themselves. However, by improving your communication skills and reducing barriers to understanding, you may also improve your self-esteem and confidence.

Our pages: Communication Skills , Barriers to Communication and Improving Self-Esteem provide more information.

Areas of Personal Presentation

Improving personal presentation therefore requires a look at several different areas.

These include:

Self-esteem and self-confidence – how you feel about yourself and your abilities

Personal appearance – how you look, and how other people see you

Non-verbal communication – your body language, voice and facial expressions

Verbal communication – how you speak and use your words to make an impression

Behaviour – how you behave more generally, including politeness.

Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence

Self-esteem and self-confidence are closely related, but not quite the same thing.

Self-esteem is how you see and value yourself .

Self-confidence is believing in or having faith in your ability , rather than yourself as a person.

Neither self-esteem nor self-confidence are static. They vary as a result of numerous factors, including different situations and the presence of different people, personal stress levels and the level of change. Low levels of self-esteem are often associated with low levels of confidence, but those with good self-esteem can also suffer from low confidence.

To improve your self-esteem and self-confidence, spend time thinking about how you value yourself. Remind yourself of what is good about you, and learn to manage the highs and lows of self-esteem. In particular, try to avoid being affected too much by others’ opinions about you.

It is also worth practising coming across as confident even when you are not, because those who appear confident are not only perceived as confident, but often actually become more confident.

See our pages on Improving Self-Esteem and Building Confidence for more discussion, tips and advice on this area.

Personal Appearance and Non-Verbal Communication

Personal appearance is the way that you dress and take care of your general appearance.

Much as we may hate the idea that appearances matter, this is an important factor in personal presentation. Whether you like it or not, others will make judgements about you based on how you look, which includes how you dress and your accessories. It is therefore worth taking time to think about what messages you are sending to others in the way that you dress.

Case study: The ‘gravitas bag’

Louise was a young graduate, working in a government department. She had been working there about two years, and had just started working for a new boss, a woman just a few years older than her.

One day, on the way to an important meeting, Louise’s carrier bag, in which she was carrying her notebook and pens, broke on the bus. Her boss laughed, but said to her, carefully,

“ You know, you ought to think a bit about how what you wear and carry affects what people think about you. I’m not sure it gives quite the right impression to wander into a meeting with pens and books spilling out of a split carrier bag—that’s why I keep a briefcase in my cupboard for the days when I’ve worn a backpack into work. This may sound stupid, but I always feel that people may be judging me because I’m both female and quite young. I don’t want to give them any reason to doubt my professionalism. ”

Neither did Louise. The next weekend, she went shopping. On the Monday, she proudly showed her boss a new handbag and matching briefcase—her ‘gravitas bag’, as she described it.

Your personal appearance is closely related to the body language, gestures and other non-verbal messages that you use.

Many people are unaware of how they are affected by body language, and also how they are affecting others. By being aware of positive and negative non-verbal signals, you can improve your image and the way people perceive you.

There is more about these ideas in our pages on Personal Appearance and Non-Verbal Communication , including specific pages on Body Language and Face and Voice .

Verbal Communication and Effective Speaking

What you say and how you say it are both important aspects of how you are perceived by others.

Verbal communication is all about the words that you choose. Those who are good at verbal communication understand the impact of their particular choice of words and choose the right words for the situation and the audience. They are skilled at getting their message across to others and ensuring that it has been received.

See our pages on Verbal Communication for more.

Good communicators also use their voices effectively to convey their feelings, and to influence their audience. Your voice says a lot about you and learning how to use it more effectively has many benefits. There are a number of aspects to your voice, including accent, tone, pitch and volume. Some of these are easier to change than others, but it is worth thinking about how each of these affects your audience, so that you can learn to use your voice more effectively. 

See our pages Effective Speaking and Non-Verbal Communication: Face and Voice to learn more.

How you behave, and not just how you speak, will leave a strong impression on others.

For example, if you are habitually late, you may give other people the impression that you do not value their time. Good time management skills can therefore be helpful in giving the right impression—as well as enabling you to work more efficiently.

See our pages Time Management and Avoiding Distractions for some ideas of to improve your time management skills.

More crucially, your general politeness—to everyone, and not just people who ‘matter’—will create an important impression about how you value others.  This is an essential element of personal presentation. It pays to consider your manners.

See our page How to be Polite for more.

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Learn more about the key communication skills you need to be a more effective communicator.

Our eBooks are ideal for anyone who wants to learn about or develop their interpersonal skills and are full of easy-to-follow, practical information.

And finally…

It is almost certainly impossible to overestimate the importance of personal presentation, especially in creating a good first impression, but also in giving a longer-term view of yourself.

Improving some fairly basic communication skills and increasing your self-awareness will improve your ability to present yourself well. Knowing that you are more likely to say and do the right things, and look the part, will help to increase your confidence. All these will, in turn, help to ensure that you give the right impression.

This is especially true in more formal situations, culminating in improved communication and therefore better understanding.

Continue to: Personal Appearance Self-Presentation in Presentations

See also: Effective Ways to Present Yourself Well Building a Personal Brand That Will Boost Your Career 8 Ways to Effectively Market Yourself as a Professional

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Assisting patients with personal hygiene.

Alyssa L. Goldenhart ; Hassan Nagy .

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Last Update: September 26, 2022 .

• Definition/Introduction

Assisting patients with basic hygiene not only creates a personal connection between the health care provider and the patient but also is vital to maintaining the patient’s health. It is the responsibility of the health care professional to balance the proper amount of grooming. Both too much grooming, as well as too little grooming, can have negative effects. There are various health care settings and a variety of patients; thus, it is necessary to determine how much assistance is necessary for each patient on a case by case scenario. Patients should be allowed to assist with their hygiene to the best of their ability. Assistance may be needed for tasks such as eliminating, shaving, brushing and styling hair, oral care, and bathing.

• Issues of Concern

Preventing the spread of contamination from the medical provider to the patient and vice versa is essential. When first approaching the patient, the medical professional must verify the patient's identity and review their chart. This process will allow the provider to give the proper treatments and make changes based on the individual's needs. To maintain cleanliness, health care providers should always disinfect their hands before touching the patient. If needed, the provider can wear gloves for various procedures.

A clear and strong line of communication is needed between the health care provider and the patient. Patients can be embarrassed to discuss their hygiene needs, particularly when it comes to discussing elimination. Openly discussing these topics with patients can help them feel more comfortable and give the health care provider a detailed view of their needs. [1]

A lack of hygiene can result in a multitude of adverse effects, such as hospital-acquired infections. [2]  While performing hygienic tasks is important to maintain the patient's health, too much hygiene can be detrimental. For example, regularly brushing and styling patient's hair can help them maintain their self-esteem. On the other hand, excessive brushing can result in the formation of acne mechanica near the hairline. [3]  Finding a balance of how frequently to assist the patient in maintaining optimal hygiene will help them feel their best.

Besides the physical act of assisting with hygiene, the medical provider's attitude can influence a patient's hygiene behaviors. A study found that a caregiver's attitude towards the elderly's ability to eliminate using a toilet had a substantial effect on the patient's ability to complete toilet elimination. [4]  Being aware of a patient's limitations and maintaining an optimistic view of the patient's ability to support their hygiene can benefit the patient.

• Clinical Significance

Basic hygiene for adults includes oral hygiene, bathing, eliminating, shaving, brushing, and styling hair. These may seem like basic procedures, but they are vital to maintaining the patient’s health. To be effective at assisting the patient, it is important to stay up to date with the nursing literature.

The inability to properly maintain hygienic conditions for patients can lead to a multitude of adverse effects. Patients who have suffered a stroke need assistance maintaining proper oral hygiene to prevent outcomes like aspiration pneumonia or opportunistic infections. [5]  Bathing patients regularly, particularly those in the ICU, can help prevent gram-negative infections. [6]  Assisting patients with elimination can prevent Clostridium difficile  infections. [7]  All of these hygienic practices work as preventative measures to help the patient maintain their health.

• Nursing, Allied Health, and Interprofessional Team Interventions

Before any personal hygiene procedure, the health care professional must decontaminate their hands and identify the patient they are treating.

Bathing   

Assisting patients with bathing is a fundamental aspect of maintaining the patient's hygiene. Bathing not only helps the patient to feel clean and gain a sense of normalcy, but bathing also removes dirt, perspiration, bacteria, and dead skin as well as promotes blood circulation. Bathing practices may vary from patient to patient based on their personal, religious, and individual needs.

There are a few types of baths that patients may require. The first type is bathing in a bathroom, which consists of a typical shower or bath. This process is for patients who are ambulatory enough to reach the bathroom and need minimal assistance bathing themselves. Next is a self-wash in bed; this is for patients who can bathe themselves but are not able to get out of bed. This approach may also require minimal assistance. Lastly would be a bed bath; this is for patients who cannot get out of bed and cannot bathe themselves.

Bathing in a bed can either use a washbasin filled with water or with pre-packaged cloths that do not require water. The wipes that do not require water are known as bag baths. If using a wash bin and cloths, ensure they are single-use items to prevent the spread of bacteria. In 2017, a systematic review found that patients preferred a standard water and soap bath, but the bag bath was a useful alternative. [6]  When assisting with bathing, gloves are not a requirement, but patients may prefer the helper to use gloves. [8]  When bathing elderly patients, it helps use moisturizing soaps or mixtures of water and oil soaks with lotion to prevent dryness. [9]  [Level 2] Bathing toiletries should be either assigned to a specific patient or should be single-use items to prevent the spread of infection between patients.

Bathing in a Bathroom

With this type of bath, assistance may be given to

• Help the patient reach the bathroom.
• Check to see if the patient needs to use the restroom before showering.
• Keep the bathroom warm.
• Run the water. Make sure to start the water off cool to prevent large amounts of steam. Once the water is warmed up, check the temperature with an elbow to assess for an appropriate and comfortable temperature. Recommended temperatures for bathing are 115 degrees F. Ask the patient to test the water to see if the temperature is comfortable to them.
• Provide a shower chair, if necessary.
• Place all necessary toiletries in an easily accessible spot.
• Remain nearby in case the patient needs more help.

Self-Wash in Bed

Equipment needed includes clean bed linen, washcloths, clean clothes, disposable washbasin, disposable apron, bath towels, toiletries, linen skip, disposable wipes, a plastic bag to dispose of wipes, and non-sterile gloves if needed for protection or patient preference.

• Ensure the patient has privacy while bathing.
• Warm the room and provide sheets to prevent the patient from becoming cold while bathing.
• Explain the procedure of using a water basin to clean oneself.
• Specify that the patient should wash their genitals last. When washing the genitals, provide disposable wipes and ask that the patient disposes of them in a plastic waste bag that you have provided.
• Warm water may stimulate the need to urinate. Provide a bedpan and explain to the patient that it may be needed.
• Provide a washbasin filled three-fourths of the way with warm water, make sure the water is a comfortable temperature by placing your elbow under the running water before filling the pan.
• Ensure that all necessary toiletries are available such as the washbasin of water, cloths, soap, bath towel, disposable wipes, and a plastic bag to dispose of wipes.
• If needed, help undress the patient and cover the patient with a blanket.

If the patient needs help cleaning their back or anal area, they must first clean their front by themselves. Once the patient has completed cleaning their front, instruct the patient to turn on their side and place a towel under them. Wash, rinse, and dry the back. After finishing the back, move on the buttock. Use disposable wipes and immediately place used wipes into a plastic waste bin. If disposable wipes are not available, fill the wash bin with clean water, and use fresh cloths. Be sure to clean from front to back to avoid fecal matter entering the genitals. For male patients, hold the penis with one hand and wash the penis from the meatus to the base with the other. If the patient has foreskin around their penis, retract the foreskin and repeat washing the penis from meatus to base. Wash the scrotum and pat the area dry. Finish by cleaning the rectum last.

This type of bath requires the most assistance. Allow the patient to help as much as they are able to. First, ensure that the room is warm and there is privacy by shutting windows, closing doors, or drawing a curtain closed. Secure all the necessary toiletries, clean bed linen, washcloths, clean clothes, disposable washbasin, disposable apron, bath towels, patient toiletries, linen skip, disposable wipes, a plastic bag to dispose of wipes, and non-sterile gloves if needed for protection or patient preference. Have a urinal or bedpan on hand, as warm water may cause the patient to need to urinate. Ensure that the patient's bed is at the proper height. 

There are two options for performing a bed bath. One is using disposable wipes, and the other is traditional soap in water. [6]  Particular attention should be taken to give regular baths to those in intensive care units as gram-negative infections are a major cause of mortality in this setting. [10]  [Level 3] While some small studies have found chlorhexidine bathing reduces gram-negative infections, a metanalysis has found no benefit. Follow facility guidelines when choosing a bathing method. [11] [2]  Level 1]

If using the traditional water and soap method, fill a single-use wash bin ¾ of the way full of warm water. Confirm that the water is a comfortable temperature by placing your elbow under the running water before filling the pan. Wash your hands and put on a disposable apron. First, explain the procedure to the patient and ask whether they prefer to use soap on their face. Remove any glasses or hearing aids from the patient. Place a towel under the patient's chins and proceed to wash the patient's neck, face, and ears. Clean the patient's glasses and/or hearing aids and return them to the patient. Use a patting motion when drying to prevent excess friction.

Remove the patient's shirt and cover them with a blanket. Only expose the area that is being cleaned. Wash cephalad to caudal and from contralateral to ipsilateral. Using this method, start with the contralateral arm and clean from proximal to distal. Make sure to separate the skin folds and clean in-between. Use the same procedure for the caudal half of the patient. When cleaning the genital area of a patient, roll the patient onto their side. Make sure to use disposable wipes and wipe from front to back when cleaning the genitals. This process will prevent urinary tract infections. Immediately dispose of used wipes into the plastic waste bag. If disposable wipes are not available, fill the basin with clean water, and use new cloths. Once the patient is entirely clean, help the patient to dress and place new sheets on the bed. 

Dental Care  

Dental care can be a relatively simple procedure to maintain the patient's hygiene. Let the patient contribute to this routine as much as they can. First, put on gloves and explain to the patient what you are going to do. If the patient is NPO, ensure that they do not swallow anything. Place a towel across the patient's chest to keep them dry and prop the patient's head up to a 45-degree angle or greater. If the patient is conscious, provide mouthwash in a cup. Instruct the patient to rinse their mouth and spit. Place a dime-sized amount of toothpaste on a toothbrush and brush all surfaces of the teeth. Provide more mouthwash and have the patient rinse and spit. Floss the teeth by pressing the floss between the teeth up to the gums. Cup the floss in a "C" shape and pull down. Repeat for every surface between teeth. Have the patient rinse and spit one more time.

If the patient is unconscious, the head will need to be propped up to 45 degrees or more and turned to the side. Place a towel on the side of the patient's head to catch drool and place an emesis basin under the patient's chin. Pull the mouth open by pressing down on the patient's chin, taking care not to place fingers into the patient's mouth. Brush and floss the patient's teeth in a similar manner to the conscious patient. Use a wet mouth swab to wipe the patient's mouth and tongue. Apply moisturizer to the patient's lips.

If the patient has dentures, these will need cleaning. First, line the sink where the dentures will be cleaned with a towel. The towel is to protect the dentures if they are accidentally dropped. If the dentures suffer damage, they are expensive to replace, and the patient will not be able to eat. Next, place on gloves and remove the dentures from the patient's mouth into an emesis bin lined by a paper towel. Bring the dentures over to the sink and use toothpaste or denture cleaner to clean the dentures thoroughly. After cleaning, rinse the dentures with cool water and place them into a denture cup filled with water, denture solution, or mouthwash. Return the dentures to the patient. Denture training for nursing home staff results in improved denture care. Thus, educating health care providers will benefit the patient's oral care. [12]  [Level 2]

Haircare is a vital part of the hygiene routine. While hair does not need washing every day, brushing the patient's hair can boost their self-esteem and prevent knots from forming. Before touching the patient, sanitize your hands and use disposable gloves. Warm the water to about 115 degrees F and check the temperature with your elbow to ensure it is comfortable. Fill a pitcher with the warm water and bring it over to the patient. Bring the patient's head as close to the top of the bed as is safe. Place a towel under the patient's shoulder blades and a waterproof bed protector under the head. Bring the edges of the bed protector up on the sides, so water does not spill over the bed. Wrap another towel around the patient's neck. Underneath the patient's head, place a water basin to collect any excess water. Submerge a washcloth in the warm water and wring the washcloth out until it is damp. Set the damp washcloth over the patient's eyes. Some hospitals will require cotton balls to be placed in the patient's ears; check with your facility to see their hair washing procedures. Use a cup to pour water gently over the patient's hair. Use shampoo and massage it into the patient's scalp. Thoroughly wash out the shampoo. Repeat the shampoo and rinse as many times as needed. Repeat the same procedure with conditioner if needed. Remove all of the washing equipment and place a clean, dry towel under the patient's head. Bring the pillow back underneath the patient's head. Dry the patient's hair by rubbing it with a dry towel. Assist the patient with brushing and styling their hair.

Washing a patient's hair does not need to be done every day, but daily brushing can prevent it from tangling. Brushing will also distribute oils evenly along the hair shaft. To brush hair, begin brushing gently towards the ends and slowly progress towards the roots. If there is a particularly difficult section of hair to comb, hold the hair near the scalp to prevent excess pulling. If there is an extremely difficult tangle, petroleum jelly may be helpful by applying a small amount and massaging it into the hair tangle. Help the patient style their hair in the manner they prefer. Disinfect the combing materials and return them to their proper area.

Nail care gives the patient a neat appearance and helps prevent them from scratching themselves. Regular nail care can remove bacteria from underneath the fingernails to help prevent infections. Take the time to observe the patient's nails, fingers, and toes. Note and report any swelling, thick or brittle nails, changes in nail texture, changes in nail color, exquisite tenderness, or foot ulcers. Special care is necessary for a patient who has diabetes.

Before beginning nail care, wash your hands. Nail care is possible after a bath or after soaking the nails in warm soapy water for 10 minutes. Once the nails are done soaking, place the hands on a towel. Use an orange stick to remove dirt that is underneath the nails. Clean the orange stick with a paper towel before moving to the next nail. Once the nails are clean, proceed to use nail clippers and trim the nails if necessary. Trim the nail straight and close to the nailbed but leave some room, so you do not cut the patient. Smooth nails with a file if the cut edges are rough. Rub lotion on the patient's hands. Repeat the same steps for the patient's feet. If the patient has diabetes, is it of utmost importance to maintain proper foot hygiene. When trimming the toenails of a diabetic patient, ensure there is proper lighting, and take special care to trim the nails in a straight line to avoid cutting the patient's foot. 

• Nursing, Allied Health, and Interprofessional Team Monitoring

Patients should receive continuous monitoring for proper hygiene. The frequency of assisting patients will depend on the patient’s medical status and the patient’s cultural and personal beliefs. Some patients may have a preference for when to perform specific hygienic tasks. For example, patients who follow the Islamic religion may prefer to wash their bodies before praying and may prefer to use water over hand sanitizer when washing their hands. [13]  Those who practice Buddhism may prefer to bathe before bed.

It is also essential to monitor the patient when assisting with hygienic tasks. For example, bathing the patient is an opportunity to check for lesions or bed sores. Helping patients with elimination is an opportunity to monitor for signs of a Clostridium difficile  infection. If a patient is suspected of having infectious diarrhea, they should undergo evaluation for the cause of infection and isolated to prevent infecting other patients. While assisting patients with hygienic tasks in the perineal area, the provider should wear a gown and gloves. [7]

Using a combination of current evidenced-based practices, open communication with the patient to discover their preferences, and frequent monitoring will allow for the best care possible for the patient.

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Disclosure: Alyssa Goldenhart declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Hassan Nagy declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

This book is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ), which permits others to distribute the work, provided that the article is not altered or used commercially. You are not required to obtain permission to distribute this article, provided that you credit the author and journal.

• Cite this Page Goldenhart AL, Nagy H. Assisting Patients With Personal Hygiene. [Updated 2022 Sep 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.

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Personal Hygiene

Many diseases and conditions can be prevented or controlled through appropriate personal hygiene and by regularly washing parts of the body and hair with soap and water. Good body washing practices can prevent the spread of hygiene-related diseases .

Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.

Learn more about grooming your nails and best ways to prevent nail infections.

Learn about why it’s important to wash your face regularly and important ways facial hygiene prevents disease.

Learn about preventing the spread of disease when you cough or sneeze.

Learn more about hygiene for healthy feet and the dangers of fish pedicures, how to prevent athlete’s foot and more.

Learn how maintaining a healthy scalp and proper hair care can prevent and control many diseases and conditions.

Learn more about good menstrual health and hygiene practices that can prevent infections, reduce odors and help you stay comfortable during your period.

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Personal hygiene

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• Good personal hygiene helps stop you from getting sick and spreading germs.
• Washing your hands often is a good way to stop the germs on your hands making you sick.
• Bathing or showering often helps prevent infections and body lice.

What is personal hygiene?

Good personal hygiene is about keeping your body clean. It also helps to protect you from getting infections such as gastroenteritis, colds and flu and COVID-19.

Washing your hands with soap removes germs that can make you ill. Having good personal hygiene will also help prevent you from spreading diseases to other people.

Personal hygiene includes:

• cleaning your body every day
• washing your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet
• brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day
• covering your mouth and nose with a tissue (or your sleeve) when sneezing or coughing
• washing your hands after handling pets and other animals

Why is personal hygiene important?

Good personal hygiene is vital because it helps stop you from getting sick. It also helps stop you from spreading germs and infectious diseases .

The germs that cause many diseases can be passed on by:

• touching other people
• getting faeces (poo) or other body fluids on your hands
• handling contaminated food
• coming into contact with dirty surfaces or objects

Conditions that you can develop if you have poor personal hygiene include:

• COVID-19 and other infectious diseases
• diarrhoea , especially gastroenteritis
• respiratory infections, including colds and flu
• staph infections
• tinea or athlete's foot
• tooth decay
• trachoma , an eye infection which can lead to blindness
• threadworms and other worms

When should I wash my hands?

Washing your hands often is a good way to stop the germs on your hands from making you sick.

It is important to wash your hands after going to the toilet.

Also, wash your hands:

• when they are obviously dirty
• after touching rubbish, dirty surfaces or objects
• before and after preparing or eating food
• after blowing your nose
• after handling pets or animals
• after changing a baby's nappy
• before and after visiting someone who is sick
• after cleaning up vomit or body fluids
• before and after treating cuts or wounds

How do I wash my hands?

To avoid getting sick, wash your hands properly.

• Wet your hands with clean water.
• Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces of your hands.
• Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean between your fingers and the backs of your hands.
• Clean dirty fingernails with a nail brush.
• Rinse both sides of your hands with clean water.
• Dry off your hands with a clean towel.
• If you're in a public bathroom, use paper towel to turn off the tap.

If soap and water aren't available, you can use hand sanitiser. The hand sanitiser should contain at least 60% alcohol.

Rub the sanitiser over your palms, the backs of the hands and in between your fingers. Keep rubbing until it is dry.

Find out more here about hand washing .

Washing your body

Try to bathe or shower often. This helps prevent infections and body lice.

Wash well, especially under your armpits and around your genitals (vulva or penis) and anus.

Keeping clean will remove bacteria that cause body odour (BO). It is especially important to shower or bathe after vigorous exercise.

Use a soapy washcloth to clean your body. Start cleaning your head and face. Then continue to your arms, chest, abdomen (tummy) and back. Finally clean your legs, genitals, and buttocks.

You can use soap, shower gel or a hypoallergenic body wash. While soap removes more germs, you may need to use plain water or salt water on sensitive body parts.

Washing your genitals

Most people know more about hair care than caring for their genitals.

If you have a foreskin (are uncircumcised) you have some extra things to think about when washing your penis.

You should clean your penis by:

• gently pulling back the foreskin
• washing underneath it with warm water and a gentle soap

After washing, pull the foreskin forward to its normal position. See more here about penis care .

You can gently wash the delicate skin around your vulva using your hands and a mild soap.

Avoid perfumed soaps and bath products as these may irritate the sensitive skin of your vulva.

Do not clean inside your vagina or douche. This is because it upsets the healthy bacteria that live in your vagina.

Period hygiene

Good hygiene practices during menstruation (your period) can help:

• stop infections
• reduce odours
• you stay comfortable

You can use many types of products to absorb or collect blood during your period, such as:

• sanitary pads
• menstrual cups
• menstrual discs
• period underwear

Wash your hands before and after using the bathroom. Also wash your hands before and after changing a tampon, pad or menstrual cup.

Discard used disposable menstrual products properly. Wrap them in toilet paper, and place in a rubbish bin. Do not flush menstrual products down the toilet.

Preventing body odour

The simplest way to get rid of body odour (BO) is to shower or bath regularly. This gets rid of the bacteria on your skin.

Using soap when you wash helps to control the naturally occurring bacteria.

After washing, make sure that you dry yourself well. Apply deodorant to your armpits. Deodorants help make your armpits less friendly to bacteria and hide odours. Antiperspirants help block your sweat glands to reduce sweating.

Put on clean, dry clothing. Wearing clothes made from natural fibres such as cotton, silk and wool can keep you dry. Wash your clothes often and, if possible, hang them outdoors to dry.

If you have a problem with sweating too much, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Preventing tooth decay and bad breath

Bad breath can be caused by poor oral hygiene. You can help prevent tooth decay and improve your oral hygiene by:

• brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
• cleaning between your teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes every day
• having regular dental check-ups

Use these dental care tips to reduce your chance of getting gum disease and tooth decay in the future.

Resources and support

Visits healthdirect's personal hygiene for children page to find out about good hygiene habits you can teach your children.

If you want to know more about personal hygiene, you can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content .

Last reviewed: September 2023

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Personal Hygiene

The importance of personal hygiene: a guide to health and well-being.

Personal hygiene is a fundamental aspect of maintaining health and well-being, yet it’s often overlooked or taken for granted. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of personal hygiene and how it contributes to overall health, confidence, and quality of life. From preventing illness to promoting self-esteem, personal hygiene plays a crucial role in every aspect of our daily lives.

1. Preventing Illness and Disease:

One of the primary benefits of personal hygiene is its role in preventing illness and disease. Good hygiene practices such as regular handwashing, dental care, and bathing help remove germs, bacteria, and viruses from the body, reducing the risk of infections such as colds, flu, and gastrointestinal illnesses. By practicing good hygiene habits, individuals can protect themselves and others from contagious diseases and promote a healthier environment.

2. Promoting Physical Health:

Maintaining good personal hygiene is essential for promoting physical health and well-being. Regular bathing and grooming help keep the skin clean and free from dirt, sweat, and excess oils, reducing the risk of skin infections and irritations. Proper oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, helps prevent dental cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Additionally, practicing good hygiene habits such as covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing and avoiding sharing personal items can help prevent the spread of illness and protect overall health.

3. Boosting Mental and Emotional Well-being:

Personal hygiene also plays a significant role in boosting mental and emotional well-being. Feeling clean and fresh promotes a sense of confidence and self-esteem, allowing individuals to feel more comfortable and confident in social interactions. Maintaining good hygiene habits can also reduce feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, and self-consciousness, leading to improved mental health and overall happiness.

4. Enhancing Social Relationships:

Good personal hygiene is essential for enhancing social relationships and interactions. Practicing proper hygiene habits shows respect for oneself and others, making individuals more pleasant to be around. Fresh breath, clean clothes, and a well-groomed appearance contribute to positive first impressions and help build trust and rapport with others. By prioritizing personal hygiene, individuals can foster stronger and more meaningful social connections.

5. Fostering Self-care and Self-respect:

Taking care of personal hygiene is an act of self-care and self-respect. Prioritizing hygiene habits demonstrates a commitment to maintaining health, well-being, and overall quality of life. By investing time and effort in personal hygiene routines, individuals show themselves the love and respect they deserve, leading to increased self-confidence, self-worth, and self-esteem.

Personal hygiene is a cornerstone of health, well-being, and confidence. From preventing illness to promoting self-esteem, good hygiene practices play a crucial role in every aspect of our lives. By prioritizing personal hygiene and incorporating regular grooming and cleanliness habits into daily routines, individuals can enjoy improved physical health, mental and emotional well-being, and stronger social relationships. Remember, good hygiene is not only essential for your health but also for your happiness and overall quality of life.

Prioritize your personal hygiene and invest in your health and well-being with BIORELIEF. Visit our website today to explore our range of personal hygiene products and resources designed to help you look and feel your best.

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Hygiene in Beauty Salons: Essential Guidance

Every business has a duty of care to keep their premises clean, tidy, safe, and hygienic for staff, customers, and anyone else involved with operations. But some work environments are naturally more hazardous than others.

The beauty industry is one that presents a higher risk to health and safety than others. Everyday operations in a salon involve blades and needles, corrosive chemicals, heat and even clinical waste which is far more risks than can be found in the average office space. 

Precautions must be carefully measured against these risks, not only for the safety of those working in and visiting the salon, but also to maintain licenses and stay on the right side of a number of health and safety laws. In this article, we’ll go over all the essential aspects of salon hygiene .  

Beauty Salon Hygiene and the Law

What is salon hygiene exactly? The meaning is different for every establishment. salon hygiene solutions need to meet the exact requirements of the business which is why the Health and Safety Executive precurses so much guidance by advising that a risk assessment will need to be carried out by the business owner before establishing protocols and rules. 

However, there are some pieces of legislation that all beauty salons must adhere to. beauty salon hygiene standards are built on a foundation of several fundamental pieces of legislation.

1. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations (1981)

These apply to all businesses in the UK and require employers or self-employed people to take reasonable steps to keep their staff and customers safe from harm when on the premises or interacting with the business and to provide access to first aid.

To comply, employers must provide access to a workplace first aid kit and appoint a ‘competent employee’, a nominated person whose responsibility it is to ensure the business is compliant with health and safety laws at all times. 

A workplace first aid kit should be British Standard certified to prove that its contents meet standards of quality deemed necessary for providing first aid in an emergency. The Steroplast Workplace First Aid Kit is fully certified.

PPE to Protect Against Hazardous Chemicals

Procedures should also be put in place to minimise the use of hazardous chemicals to only when absolutely necessary, and all staff should be aware of how to properly store and dispose of them.

4. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)

All accidents, injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences that happen in the workplace or as a result of the workplace must be reported to RIDDOR by law. The HSE will assess the incidents and provide guidance on how to deal with a mitigate them in the future. If regulations are found not to have been met a business could face prosecution. 

An example of a situation that needs to be reported to RIDDOR could be a sprained ankle as a result of spilling on a freshly cleaned floor, or the onset of dermatitis on a hair stylist’s hands. 

5. Environmental Protection Act 1990

This act is in place to provide guidance and rules that protect and preserve the environment. Beauty salons need to manage their waste disposal operations responsibly to ensure they aren’t causing harm to people, animals and the environment. Salons should arrange a collection of hazardous waste with a licensed specialist disposal company and retain record of their last two years of collections at all times. 

General waste streams should be segregated from other types of waste which could include:

• Sharp tools such as used needles or blades
• Body fluids such as blood
• Waste contaminated with body fluids
• Hazardous synthetic chemicals

Clinical waste should be disposed of into a yellow biohazard bag , with sharp objects disposed of into a sharps bin . Any biohazard spills such as bleeding from an accident must be dealt with in the proper way. Using a biohazard spill kit is the best way to do this. Read our guide on how to use a biohazard spill kit .

Equipment for Disposing of Clinical Waste in a Salon

Find out about which colour waste disposal bags you need for different types of hazardous waste , and how to dispose of clinical waste in our blog.

6. Personal Protective Equipment 2002 (PPE)

These regulations make it necessary for employers to provide personal protective equipment. In a beauty salon there is a range of different needs and different types of PPE required, here are two examples of the most common requirements for PPE:

The importance of hygiene in a salon also extends to your customers. Disposable gowns and capes are also importantfor protecting customers. Trolleys should be used to safety transport products across the salon and minimise the chance of slipping or spilling. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure PPE is of good quality, well-fitting, and stored and maintained properly.

7. Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010

These regulations apply to beauty salons that offer treatments using laser surgery, Intense Pulsed Light sources (IPLs), and blue light and UV therapies. They dictate that employers must take steps to protect the eyes and skin of everyone from harmful exposure to AOR.

If your salon uses AOR, consider these risks and ways to mitigate them:

8. Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992)

These regulations are in place to ensure proper resources, training, and techniques are employed to minimise the risk of injury from heavy lifting in the workplace. In a beauty salon, lifting equipment, machinery, boxes of products, or even assisting customers in moving presents a risk of injury from lifting incorrectly. 

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations serve to eliminate hazardous lifting where possible and apply appropriate safety measures. This includes:

• Conducting a risk assessment for heavy lifting and where it can be minimised. For example, moving heavy boxes closer to stations where their contents is used and keeping larger boxes closer to the floor in storage areas.
• Training staff on heavy lifting techniques.
• Supplying heavy lifting machinery where needed.
• Ensuring staff always have the help of another person to lift when needed.

Principles of Hygiene and Infection Control in a Salon

If asked to describe two methods used in the salon to ensure hygiene, surface cleaning and sterilising equipment are probably the first to come to mind. But in order to maintain good hygiene and infection control in a beauty salon, it’s important to know how each stage of the cleaning process contributes to a hygienic environment. The principles of hygiene and infection control in salon operations should be:

• Disinfection
• Sterilisation

With tidying as the most basic step in maintaining a hygienic environment, further stages apply to areas and objects depending on how much of a risk they pose to health and safety. 

Methods to Ensure Hygiene in the Salon

Your risk assessment will reveal areas of business operations that present a risk to health and safety. Methods used in a salon to ensure hygiene should be relevant to these risks and their level of severity.

Who is Responsible?

Hygiene procedures in a beauty salon are the responsibility of everyone. Encouraging a culture of accountability helps to give every member of the team a sense of responsibility and involvement in the hygiene standards of the business. Although different roles apply to different people in the business, they all work towards the same goal:

The role of the business owner:

• To appoint a ‘competent person’ and ensure they have all the resources they need to carry out their duties.
• To ensure all staff have access to training and resources needed to carry out health and safety meaures.
• To ensure the business is compliant with all relevant health and safety laws. 

The role of the competent person:

• To carry out necessary risk assessments and put in place a salon hygiene policy that mitigates the risks found.
• To compile and update a health and safety policy that all staff have access to.
• To ensure all staff are adequately trained in hygiene procedures and health and safety measures.
• To ensure the business is compliant with all relevant health and safety laws and communicate this with the business owner and report to relevant bodies such as the HSE.
• To facilitate routine audits of the business.

The role of the employee:

• To be responsible for their own training on methods used in the salon to ensure hygiene, and ask for training when needed. 
• To carry out hygiene protocols and follow salon hygiene rules as instructed.
• To report any accidents, injuries, or dangerous occurences to the competent person.
• To maintain hygienic equipment and report equipment that needs maintenance or is faulty.
• To take responsibility for client safety and hygiene during treatments.

Keeping Salon Furniture Clean

Salon furniture should be non-porous to help make cleaning and disinfecting easier. Beauty couches or chairs where treatments are administered should be disinfected between each use and a fresh piece of couch roll should be applied. If using towels, ensure they have been boiledor washed on a hot cycle beforehand and only even use a towel once before washing it again. 

Most salon chairs are made with PVC or vinyl which breaks down and cracks when alcohol wipes are used to disinfect them, compromising the flat surface and greatly increasing the chance of contamination. Use alcohol-free wipes to avoid this happening.

Chairs and tables in waiting areas should be cleaned and disinfected each day, along with reception desks, nail bars, and hairstyling units.

Cleaning Salon Floors

Stray nails, hair strands, dead skin cells, and powers from products can build up on the floor making it a source for cross-contamination. With your salon door opening and closing and people moving about all day, it’s easy for these light materials to get swept up into the air and inhaled.

Ask staff to sweep as they go, cleaning up after each treatment, and use a liquid detergent diluted in water to mop at the end of each day. Hair salon hygiene rules may include steam cleaning floors in order to lift hair snippings from difficult areas like tile grout.

Cleaning Salon Touchpoints

As part of your C risk assessment you will need to be aware of the touchpoints on your premises in order to regularly disinfect them. Take a journey through your salon and consider all of the objects that staff and customers might touch on a regular basis to add a process to your salon hygiene and infection control procedures :

• Door handles
• Card machines
• Kitchen Equipment

Use a surface disinfectant to spray and wipe these areas or an alcohol wipe to quickly spot clean throughout the day. Considering nail salon hygiene , salons with nail bars should deep clean these areas each day, and carry out thorough cleaning between customers as they are high contact touchpoints.

Salon Equipment Cleaning and Hygiene

The cleaning tools and equipment between uses is of utmost importance and proper protocols of sterilisation should be adhered to. Tools used on one customer can easily transmit bacteria to the next if not cleaned and sterilised well. Tools that are kept together could all become infected easily if one dirty implement is put in storage with them. 

Following treatment, all tools used should either be disposed of or cleaned and disinfected. Equipment that has been in contact with body fluids will need to be cleaned and sterilised before use again.

Download our salon hygiene checklist PDF to keep a record of daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks. Tasks are organised by area and can be ticked off when complete.

Salon Hygiene Products

Your salon hygiene product list should cover all these essentials:

Infection Control:

Personal Hygiene in a Beauty Salon

Why is personal hygiene important in a salon? Trained professionals in the beauty industry will be aware of the high importance of personal presentation, hygiene, and conduct in a salon . As beauticians and stylists move between different areas of the salon they could act as carriers of bacteria and germs.

Using tools and equipment on one customer and making contact with that customer could lead to the transfer of harmful particulates that could not only cause an infection for the employee but be transferred onto another customer or member of staff. 

Personal presentation, hygiene, and conduct in the salon should be carried out with strict hygiene protocols in mind. Each member of staff should be fully trained in the importance of personal hygiene in a salon so they know how to properly conduct themself in a way that minimises the chance of cross-contamination. This includes: 

• Wearing appropriate PPE for the task. For example, wearing disposable gloves and an apron when cleaning the salon at the end of the day, or wearing a face visor and respirator when using fake tan. 
• Taking care to keep uniforms or work clothes clean by wearing disposable aprons where necessary and washing garments regularly on hot cycles.
• Disposing of gloves between treatments before touching anything else and washing hands regularly.

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Salon Personal Hygiene and Presentation

Maintaining high personal hygiene and presentation standards encourages trust and ongoing business in your salon.

A clean, sterile and safe space ensures issues such as cross-contamination are avoided. You and your employees should continually be educated on standard hygiene practices to be enforced in a salon.

This page will guide you on the importance of personal hygiene, presentation and conduct.

Personal hygiene

Everyone should maintain personal hygiene at work. It’s professional, considerate, and often necessary for your working environment.

Before starting salon work, employees should understand and agree to the dress codes and grooming policies. If an employee’s bad personal hygiene becomes a problem, you must address and deal with it.

Bad personal hygiene can consist of the following:

• Unclean apparel
• Persistent coughing or sneezing without covering the mouth
• Overuse of deodorant, perfume or cologne

Some employees may be unaware of their bad personal hygiene at work. This is why it’s good business practice to implement a personal hygiene at work policy.

Hand washing

Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses, and bacteria to stop them from spreading to other people and objects, which can spread illnesses.

You should wash your hands:

• When you arrive and leave work
• Before and after client treatments
• after using the toilet or changing a nappy
• before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables
• before eating or handling food
• after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing
• before and after treating a cut or wound
• after touching animals, including pets their food and after cleaning their cages

Read the NHS guide to hand washing .

PPE (Personal protective equipment)

Personal protective equipment includes helmets, goggles, or other garments to protect the wearer’s body from injury or infection.

For every treatment in a salon, a risk assessment should be made to determine what protective equipment is required to carry out the treatment safely.

Salon PPE usually consists of the following:

• Disposable gloves
• Disposable aprons

No smoking policy

All salons should uphold a ‘No Smoking Policy’ when on shift. Staff should not smoke when in uniform, even when covered.

When working in a salon, nails must be kept short and clean. Artificial fingernails/extensions, nail polish, nail jewellery and nail art all have the potential to break apart or chip off, posing a risk of infection or contamination to clients and should, therefore, be prohibited.

Jewellery and piercings

All jewellery should be kept to a minimum and not cause offence or be a health and safety hazard.

Personal presentation

Staff uniforms should be washed at 60 degrees after each shift, and an alternating uniform should be worn between washes. Washing the uniform after each working day reduces the risk of contamination, although wearing one-use PPE will further reduce the risk.

Ideally, staff uniforms should be ironed or steamed after washing.

If there are permanent stains on any item of clothing, they should be discarded.

Working in a salon means being on your feet for most of your shift. Working with different products and machinery can put you at risk of potential workplace hazards. Hazards can include product spills, heavy equipment falls or coming into contact with sharp objects on the floor.

The best shoes for a salon worker are:

• Closed (no part of the foot showing)
• slip-resistant
• puncture-resistant (thick rubber sole)

Shoes should be clean of dirt and stains to ensure the salon floor remains as hygienic as possible.

Working in a salon requires concentration and clear vision to carry out treatments. Hair should, therefore, be tied back away from the face. Doing so also reduces the risk of hair getting caught in equipment, causing injury.

The importance of personal hygiene and presentation in the salon

The following principles should be supported and promoted in the workplace:

• Health, safety and well-being of service users
• Health, safety and well-being of staff
• Infection prevention and control
• Public confidence and professional image
• Professional accountability, as defined by professional bodies/councils

TheBalanceWork

11 Reasons Why Hygiene Is Important In The Workplace

There’s a short and simple answer to the question: why is hygiene so important in the workplace – it helps keep everyone healthy!

It’s no secret that hygiene is essential in all aspects of life. But it’s vital in the workplace, where germs can quickly spread from one person to another.

There are many reasons why workplace hygiene is so important. Here are just a few:

1. Prevent Spread Of Diseases:

One of the most important reasons for  maintaining good hygiene  in the workplace is to prevent the spread of diseases.

Employees who are sick can easily pass their illnesses on to their coworkers.

When someone is sick, they cannot work at their best. The following are many effects of sick employees:

1.1 Absenteeism:

When employees are sick, they tend to take more sick days. This can have a significant impact on  productivity and profitability. 

This can lead to absenteeism, which can be a significant problem.

It means that there’s one less person available to do the work. But it also means that the company has to pay for the employee’s time off.

This can add up to a lot of money over time!

1.2 Prone To More Mistakes:

Sick employees are more likely to make mistakes. This is because they’re not feeling their best and maybe  distracted  by their illness.

Making mistakes can lead to a lot of problems, including:

– Wasted time

– Wasted materials

– Damaged products

– Unhappy customers

All of these things can have a significant impact on the bottom line.

1.3 Lower Quality Of Work:

Ill employees may not be able to work at their best. This can lead to lower quality of work.

This can badly affect the company in several ways, including:

– Loss of customers

– Lower sales

– Reduced profits

It is vital to  maintain good hygiene  in the workplace to prevent diseases. It’s also essential for productivity and profitability.

1.4 Less Customer Satisfaction:

When employees are sick, they may not be able to give customers the same level of service. This can lead to less customer satisfaction.

This can have a big impact on the company, including:

– Bad publicity

This makes the company bear losses in revenue. Moreover, it makes it difficult for the company to get opportunities in the future.

1.5 Turnover Intention:

When the environment makes them constantly sick, employees tend to leave. This is because they’re unhappy with their current situation.

This can lead to high turnover rates, a big problem for companies. High turnover rates can lead to:

– Increased training costs

– Reduced productivity

– Lower morale

2. To Maintain A Professional Appearance:

Maintaining good hygiene in the workplace is maintaining a professional appearance.

First impressions are essential, and you want your employees to make a good ones!

Potential clients  may not do business with you if they think you’re not professional.

So it’s important to ensure that your employees are well-groomed and presentable.

3. To Avoid Unpleasant Odors:

Another reason to maintain hygiene in the workplace is to avoid unpleasant odors.

Bad body odor can be a big turnoff for potential clients or customers.

It can also make your employees less comfortable. And it can create a  hostile work environment.

A hostile work environment  is not suitable for morale or productivity.

4. To Comply With Health And Safety Regulations:

In some cases, good hygiene in the workplace is necessary by law.

Health and safety regulations must be followed to protect employees from  hazardous materials.

If these regulations are not followed, the company can get fined or shut down.

Some instances where health and safety regulations must be followed include:

– Handling food

– Working with chemicals

– Working with hazardous materials

5. To Avoid Pest Infestations:

Avoiding pest infestations is another reason to maintain good hygiene in the workplace.

Pests can be a big problem in any workplace. They can spread diseases and contaminate food.

They can also  damage equipment and property.

Pest infestations can be very costly. Therefore, it’s important to do everything you can to avoid them.

Some ways to avoid pest infestations include:

– Keeping the workplace clean

– Putting away food properly

– Disposing of waste properly

– Keeping an eye out for signs of pests

6. For The Sake Of The Environment:

Good hygiene in the workplace is also important for the environment’s sake.

For example:

Following health and safety regulations is essential if you work with hazardous materials. 

If these materials are not handled properly, they can cause environmental damage.

Environmental damage can be very costly. It can also lead to bad publicity for the company.

How To Maintain Hygiene In The Workplace?

There are a few things you can do to maintain good hygiene in the workplace.

Some of these things include:

1. Washing Hands Properly:

An important thing you can do to maintain  good hygiene  in the workplace is wash your hands properly.

Encourage employees to wash their hands after:

– Using the restroom

– Coughing or sneezing

– Before handling food

2. Using Disinfectants:

Another way to maintain good hygiene in the workplace is to use disinfectants.

Disinfectants can help to  kill germs and bacteria.  This can help to prevent the spread of diseases.

Encourage employees to use disinfectants:

– On door handles

– On work surfaces

– In the kitchen

3. Wearing Protective Clothing:

Wear protective clothing is especially important if you work with hazardous materials.

Protective clothing can help prevent the spread of diseases. It can also help protect you from  injuries .

Some examples of protective clothing include:

– Face masks

– Respirators

4. Staying Up-To-Date On Vaccinations:

Staying up-to-date on vaccinations is a good way to maintain good hygiene in the workplace.

This is especially important if you work with  hazardous materials. 

Some of the vaccinations that you should consider getting include:

– The flu vaccine

– The hepatitis B vaccine

– The tetanus vaccine

5. Following Good Personal Hygiene Practices:

Encourage employees to follow good  personal hygiene practices.

Some of these practices include:

– Showering daily

– Washing hands regularly

– Wearing clean clothes

– Brushing teeth regularly

6. Keeping The Workplace Clean:

Keeping the workplace clean is mandatory for all the right reasons. Encourage employees to:

– Sweep floors

– Dust surfaces

– Empty garbage cans regularly

– Wash dishes properly

7. Reporting Illnesses:

Employees should report any illnesses to their supervisors. Please encourage them to do so without hesitation.

It allows supervisors to make proper accommodations. It’s also essential so that the illness doesn’t spread to others.

For instance:

If an  employee has asthma,  they should let their supervisor know.

This way, the proper precautions can be taken in an emergency.

If an employee has the flu, they should stay home from work.

If an employee has a cold, they should take steps to prevent the spread of the illness.

8. Taking Breaks:

Employees should take breaks if they feel like they need one. This is especially important if they are  feeling ill. 

Encourage employees to take a break if they:

– Feel nauseous

– Have a headache

– Feel dizzy

9. Sanitizers:

Companies should provide sanitizers for employees to use. Sanitizers can help to kill germs and bacteria.

This can help to prevent the  spread of diseases.  Sanitizers should be:

– Alcohol-based

– Located in strategic places

Some examples of  strategic places  include:

– Near the entrance of the workplace

– In the bathroom

10. Proper Storage Of Hazardous Materials:

If your company works with hazardous materials, it’s important to store them properly.

Hazardous materials  should be:

– Stored in closed containers

– Labeled properly

– Stored in a cool, dry place

In case of a spill, it’s important to:

– Immediately clean it up

– Dispose of the hazardous material properly

11. Proper Food Handling:

Proper food handling means keeping  food clean and safe . This includes:

– Washing hands before handling food

– Keeping food preparation areas clean

– Avoiding cross-contamination

– Cooking food properly

If food is not handled properly, it can cause food poisoning.

12. Disposing Of Hazardous Waste Properly:

If your company works with hazardous materials, dispose of them properly.

Hazardous waste  should be:

– Disposed of in closed containers

– Disposed of in a designated area

Hazardous waste should never be:

– Flushed down the toilet

– Poured down the drain

13. No Smoking:

Smoking is not allowed in the workplace. This is important to maintain good hygiene in the workplace.

Smoking can cause:

– The spread of diseases

Moreover,  secondhand  smoke is just as dangerous as  firsthand  smoke. That means that employees who smoke can affect those who don’t smoke.

14. Regular Cleanliness Check:

Conduct regular cleanliness checks in the workplace. This is to ensure that the workplace is clean and safe.

The frequency of the cleanliness check will depend on the type of business.

For instance, a restaurant will need to conduct a daily cleanliness check.

On the other hand, an office building may only need to conduct a weekly cleanliness check.

HR Policies That Can Help To Maintain Good Hygiene In The Workplace:

HR can also play a vital role in maintaining good hygiene in the workplace.

Some of the policies that HR can implement include:

1. Employee Health Policy:

The employee health policy should state that employees must maintain good personal hygiene.

It should also state that employees must get vaccinated against certain diseases.

Clauses examples can be:

“All employees must maintain good personal hygiene. This includes regular hand-washing, showering, and using deodorant.”

“All employees must get vaccinated against common diseases. Such as the flu, measles, and mumps.”

2. Smoking Policy:

The smoking policy should state that smoking is not allowed in the workplace.

This policy should also state that employees must not smoke in company vehicles. Also, the policy should note that employees must not smoke near entrances or exits.

An example clause can be:

“Smoking is not allowed in the workplace. This includes smoking in company vehicles and near entrances or exits.”

Conclusion:

Maintaining good hygiene in the workplace is vital for several reasons.

It can help to prevent the spread of diseases. Also, it keeps the workplace clean, and it sets a professional tone.

Companies should provide employees with the resources they need to maintain good hygiene.

This includes things like soap, hand sanitizer, and paper towels.

In addition, companies should have policies in place that encourage good hygiene.

Some of these policies include an employee health policy and a smoking policy.

Last Updated on 1 day by Shahzaib Arshad

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The IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL HYGIENE

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The Importance of Hygiene

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The Importance of Hygiene. Stay Clean, healthy, and feeling good!! . Knock Knock. Who’s There ? Jean. Jean Who? Hy g iene! Wow, What’s That Smell?. Hygiene. From the Greek word “ hygies ” Meaning “Healthy and/or S ound ”. Health and Hygiene.

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The Importance of Hygiene Stay Clean, healthy, and feeling good!! 

Knock Knock Who’s There? Jean. Jean Who? Hygiene!Wow, What’s That Smell?

Hygiene From the Greek word “hygies” Meaning “Healthyand/or Sound”

Health and Hygiene • According to the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. • Personal hygiene can make the difference between being healthy and disease-free and being sick and not well.

Its Your Health, Not Mine!

What is Personal Hygiene? It is a Regular Routine of Personal Care, Washing, and Grooming • Your Hair • Your Face • Your Skin • Your Teeth • Your Ears • Your Hands • Your Nails • Your Feet

Hygiene Cont’d • A condition or practice contributing to the preservation of health, as cleanliness. • Personal hygieneis about keeping your body clean and healthy. • Goodpersonal hygienecan make you less likely to become sick. It also helps you look and feel your best.

Hygiene Cont’d • The simple acts of brushing your teeth, showering, shampooing, using deodorant, and brushing your hair, all add up to good hygiene practices. • While these acts are simple and should be a part of everyone's daily routine, some overlook taking care of their hygiene needs, putting themselves at risk of illness, infection, poor dental health, and social avoidance and ridicule.

The Practice of Hygiene • Practice good personal hygiene every day, because going without regular hand-washing, tooth brushing, and showers means that you'll accumulate germs, dirt and body odor. • Simply brushing your teeth helps you maintain good dental health, protecting your teeth and gums from disease. • Taking a shower and washing your hair at least once a day, gives you the opportunity to wash away sweat and dirt, according to the About-Personal-Growth website.

The first Step is:Handwashing • Good hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as Swine Flu, meningitis, bronchiolitis, hepatitis A, and most types of infectious diarrhea.

Handwashing Cont’d

Dental Care • Dentists say that the most important part of tooth care happens at home. Brushing and flossing properly, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. These diseases could lead to bad breath. • If you're like most people, you don't exactly look forward to facing a dentist's drill. So wouldn't it be better to prevent cavities before they begin? Prevent is key.

Giving Plaque the Brush-off • To prevent cavities, you need to remove plaque, the transparent layer of bacteria that coats the teeth. The best way to do this is by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Brushing also stimulates the gums, which helps to keep them healthy and prevent gum disease. Brushing and flossing are the most important things that you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Brushing The Right Way! • Place your toothbrush against the gums. • Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes. • Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. • Clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke. • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Foods to Avoid • Bacteria in your mouth grow on sugar • Try to eat as little “junk food” as possible =candy, chocolate, and other sweets • Avoid drinking soda, sweet tea, or any other drinks with excessive sugar. • If you do eat these things, brush immediately afterwards…

Skin and Body • Your skin and scalp may suddenly get oily very easily. At times, you seem to sweat for no reason — and you may notice there are odors where you never had them before. What should you do about it? • These bodily changes are a normal part of becoming an adult. Still, some of them can be a real source of anxiety. Who wants to worry about whether their underarms smell, anyway?

Body Odor • Sweating is a vital and normal process. It helps keep your body cool and release body toxins. • The apocrine glands, the sweat creators, are extremely active at the onset of puberty. • When stimulated, they produce sweat, which combined with the bacteria on the skin results is body odor. • This odor is unpleasant and increases with physical activity, stress, excitement, nervousness and warmth. • Body odor can be effectively managed by: • daily showers or baths; • changing one’s clothes daily; • use of a deodorant or anti-perspirant

Body Odor Cont’d So many choices… What would be best for me…???

Body Odor Cont’d: Deodorant • Body odor happens when sweat and bacteria mix. • The trick to wearing deodorant is to put it on IMMEDIATELY after you bathe.  Make sure to wash your armpits well, dry them, and put deodorant on before you have a chance to sweat even the tiniest bit.

Video Break

Caring for skin, hair and nails • It's never too late to start taking care of your skin, hair, and nails. Take charge of your health by learning the basics about your skin, hair, and nails.  • Dry Skin and Itching

Caring for Skin • As you age, your skin produces less of the natural oil that helps your skin keep its moisture. Dry indoor air can cause your skin to become dry, as can excessive bathing in hot water.

Caring for Skin Cont’d • Baths are much kinder to the skin than showers. They strip the natural oil that helps the skin hold in moisture. • Use mild soaps, such as Dove or Cetaphil. • Use a moisturizing lotion immediately after your bath, even before toweling dry completely. • For very dry hands, try this for a night: Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, and wear thin cotton gloves to bed. (Dry feet may benefit from similar treatment.) • If dry, brittle nails are a problem, use lotion on your nails as well. • Avoid scratching, which damages the skin. If itching is a problem, try the following: • Keep the itchy area well moisturized. Dry skin may make itching worse.

Caring Hair • Each strand of hair has its own sebaceous (oil) gland, which keeps the hair shiny and waterproof. But during puberty, when the sebaceous glands produce extra oil, it can make your hair look too shiny, oily, and greasy. • Washing your hair every day or every other day can help control oily hair. Try using shampoos that are specially formulated for oily hair. Use warm water and a small amount of shampoo to work up a lather. Don't scrub or rub too hard — this doesn't get rid of oil any better and can irritate your scalp or damage your hair.

Caring for Hair Cont’dWhat are lice? • Lice are tiny insects that live on humans and feed on blood. When a large number of lice live and multiply on a person, it is called an infestation. • Head lice are most often passed on at school through close contact and sharing of personal items. Lice aren't a sign of poor hygiene, but they won't go away without prompt treatment. 

Caring for Hair Cont’dLice and the symptoms • Itching, the most common symptom of all types of lice infestation, is caused by an allergic reaction . Lice bite the skin to feed on a person's blood. The saliva from these bites causes the allergic reaction and itching. • Diagnosing lice: Close visual examination for live lice or their eggs (nits) on the hair is usually all that is needed to diagnose a lice infestation (pediculosis).

Caring for Nails • Nails are made up of layers of protein called keratin and are indicative of our general health. • Grow an average 1mm per week • Taking good care of your nails and maintaining their cleanliness very important • Nails can be kept clean by using a simple mild soap, warm water, and a nail brush combination.

Caring for nails Cont’d • File fingernails in one direction • Cut nails as germs may be present inside them, this is especially harmful if you use your hands to eat • Cut nails straight across – never cut into corners • Protect against ingrown toenails by avoiding tight shoes and/or very high heels

Exercise • You've probably heard countless times how exercise is "good for you." But did you know that it can actually help you feel good, too? Getting the right amount of exercise can rev up your energy levels and even help improve your mood.

Exercise: Rewards and Benefits • Exercise benefits every part of the body, including the mind. • Experts recommend that teens get 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Here are some of the reasons: • Exercising causes the body to produce endorphins, chemicals that can help a person to feel more peaceful and happy. Exercise can help some people sleep better. It can also help some people who have mild depression and low self-esteem. Plus, exercise can give people a real sense of accomplishment and pride at having achieved a certain goal — like beating an old time in the 100-meter dash. • Exercising can help you look better. People who exercise burn more calories and look more toned than those who don't. In fact, exercise is one of the most important parts of keeping your body at a healthy weight.

Exercise: Rewards and Benefits Cont’d • Exercise helps people lose weight and lower the risk of some diseases. Exercising to maintain a healthy weight decreases a person's risk of developing certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases, which used to be found mostly in adults, are becoming more common in teens. • Exercise can help a person age well. This may not seem important now, but your body will thank you later. Women are especially prone to a condition called osteoporosis (a weakening of the bones) as they get older. Studies have found that weight-bearing exercise, like jumping, running or brisk walking, can help girls (and guys!) keep their bones strong. • The three components to a well-balanced exercise routine are: aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility training. • Live, laugh, exercise good hygiene!!

Remember!!!Make Hygiene part of your daily routine!!!

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The Importance of an Occupational Hygiene Communication System in Canada

The Importance of an Occupational Hygiene Communication System in Canada. John Van Delden, CIH, ROH AIHA Manitoba Section. Why Communicate ?. information sharing alternate perspectives joint opportunities organizational experience. Barriers to Communication. geographic

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Hygiene—The Science of Health

Hygiene—The Science of Health. Hygiene— What Does it Mean?. What does hygiene mean to you? Is good hygiene the same everywhere in the world? Does having perfect hygiene mean you would never get sick?. Science and Hygiene – What are Germs? Are they all harmful?.

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The importance of……?

“ THE SHIFT FROM FOOD-GATHERING TO FOOD-PRODUCING CULTURES REPRESENTS ONE OF THE GREATEST BREAKTHROUGHS IN WORLD HISTORY. ”. The importance of……?. Part A Make a list of the snacks and meals that you ate yesterday and today. Where do all these foods and drinks originate from? Part B

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Food hygiene importance of zoonoses Salmonellosis

Food hygiene importance of zoonoses Salmonellosis. Ákos JÓŹWIAK Food Hygiene Lectures, 8 th semester. Basic summary. What is Salmonella?. What is Salmonella?. bacterial agent responsible for a zoonotic disease: salmonellosis affecting >100.000 people in EU each year

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The importance of……?. Make a list of the snacks and meals that you ate yesterday and today. Where do all these foodstuffs and drinks originate from? Make a list of everything that exists in the modern world around you.

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Series: The Importance of... The Importance Of Helpers

Series: The Importance of... The Importance Of Helpers. The Importance Of Helpers In the beginning... Genesis 2:18(KJV) 18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

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The importance of

The importance of. REPENTANCE. PART 2. ALSO IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. LET US LOOK AT SOME WHO TAUGHT REPENTANCE. Mark 1:4 John the Baptist burst onto the scene- denouncing SIN- and calling on the people to repent. preaching a BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE -for forgiveness of sins.

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Importance Of Health And Hygiene

As defined by World Health Organization (WHO), it is a "State of complete physical, mental, and social well being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Health is a dynamic condition resulting from a body's constant adjustment and adaptation in response to stresses and changes in the environment for maintaining an inner equilibrium called homeostasis.

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Importance of Oral Hygiene and Preventive Care

Experts state that a good oral care routine is the only way to maintain a healthy mouth.

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Importance of Proper Oral Hygiene Schedule

Today, most of the people are suffering from some form of gum diseases, teeth issues, inflammation or infection of the gums or any other type of serious dental problems.

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The Importance of Oral Hygiene During Orthodontic Treatment - Plainland Dental

Braces do wonders for your dental health - and your smile - but they can make it difficult to keep your teeth & mouth clean. To avoid ending up with stained teeth, keeping a strict cleaning regime throughout your orthodontic treatment is key. Follow the following tips from Plainland Dental to keep your teeth shining brighter than ever.

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Importance Of Maintaining Oral Hygiene To Prevent The Onset Of Dental Diseases

When we were younger, our parents have emphasized on the importance of oral hygiene and very often stopped us from eating sweet food. However, their lecture was always ignored and we did what we loved and ended up being in a misery of painful events during the nights. As we grew up we gradually realized the importance of maintaining a good oral hygiene as it leads to several infections and diseases.

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Importance of Oral Hygiene for Children - Redbank Plains Dental

Studies have shown that inadequate tooth brushing, coupled with poor diet, can lead to major dental decay problems later in life.

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Importance of Proper Sanitation And Hygiene

Be it school, restaurant, office or a factory, pests will be everywhere to add up to your troubles. In such situations, it is always advisable to take the help of a professional who provides the Best Pest Control Services in Delhi.

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The Importance of Hand Hygiene in Seniors

Cleanliness starts with keeping hands clean. Health and hygiene always go hand-in-hand. The most significant reason for ensuring good hygiene is maintaining physical health and fitness. Get more details @ https://www.healthabove60.com/

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