Salons and Spas
Personal service settings and COVID-19
Please see our COVID-19 Guidance and Advice for Businesses and Organizations for information intended to provide guidance to businesses and organizations to prepare for safe reopening of our community.
Anytime you visit a salon or spa, there is a chance of getting an infection. Get your service done with the least amount of risk. You do not have to see blood or body fluids on items for an infection to occur. Make sure the salon or spa you choose makes infection control a priority.
The Health Department inspects salons and spas. We do not issue approvals, certifications, or licences.
Recalls and safety alerts
- Needle-free dermal filler devices used for cosmetic skin treatments are not authorized in Canada and may pose health risks
- Laser-based medical devices not authorized to treat fungal nail infections
- Health Canada warns Canadians of potential cancer risk associated with gentian violet
- FDA advises consumers, tattoo artists, and retailers to avoid using or selling certain tattoo inks contaminated with microorganisms.
- Plasma pens are not authorized in Canada and may pose health risks.
Online salon and spa inspection results
Personal service settings inspection reports
More online inspection results are here!
Durham Region Health Department's disclosure program provides online and on-site postings of health inspection results, confirmed infection prevention and control (IPAC) lapses, legal action and complaints of inspected facilities to help Durham Region residents make informed decisions and protect their health.
Salon and spa clients
Visit different salons and spas and ask to see their last Health Department inspection report or get reports online as part of our disclosure program.
When to refuse service |
Do not get a service if the service provider:
|
What are blood and body fluid exposures? |
A blood or body fluid exposure is when:
Steps to take if a blood or body fluid exposure happens:
|
Hairdressing and barbering services |
Your hairdresser or barber must:
|
Manicure and pedicure services |
Your manicure and pedicure worker must:
|
Aesthetic services |
Your aesthetician must:
|
Services that break the skin |
If you are getting microblading, microneedling, dermaplaning, electrolysis, or other facials that use sharp items, make sure your service provider is following these guidelines. Your aesthetician must:
|
Waxing services |
Your aesthetician must:
|
Tanning services |
Learn about skin cancer prevention in tanning services. |
Salon and spa workers
Changes under the Health Protection and Promotion Act
The Ontario government recently made changes to the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) and introduced a new regulation that applies to salons, spas, tattooing and piercing studios.
Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7
Ontario Regulation 136/18 - Personal Service Settings
Guide to Infection Prevention and Control in Personal Service Settings
Contact a public health inspector and get information about opening a new salon or spa. We will give you an information package.
The Ministry of Health requires health departments to inspect all salons and spas in Ontario. In Durham Region, we inspect them at least once a year. We do more inspections if we receive complaints or if the salon or spa needs a follow-up visit.
The Ministry of Health sets out guidelines that all salons and spas have to follow. This includes:
- Cleaning
- Sanitation
- Basic infection control to prevent the spread of diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV
These guidelines are for any services including special events and home-based businesses where there is a risk of being exposed to blood or body fluids.
Request a Health Department display or presentation
Cleaning and disinfection |
Regular cleaning and disinfection helps to prevent the spread of germs.Cleaning removes dirt, organic matter, and most germs. Cleaning alone does not kill harmful germs left behind. Clean all surfaces before disinfecting them. Disinfection kills most disease-causing germs that stay on surfaces. Resources |
Sterilization |
Sterilization kills all germs including viruses, bacteria, fungi and spores. Proper cleaning is important before sterilization. Items that break the skin such as needles and lancets must be new, pre-packaged and in sterile condition. Your must test your autoclave every other week by sending the spore test to a laboratory. Resources on how to sterilize reusable items on-site: |
Keeping hands clean |
Wash your hands to stop the spread of germs. Handwashing is the simplest and most important thing that you can do to reduce the spread of germs. It keeps you and your clients from getting sick. Handwashing resources:
|
Salons and spas at special events |
You must fill out an application form if you plan to offer salon or spa services at community events in Durham Region such as a fair or a trade show. |
Tattoos, piercing and permanent makeup |
Disclosure
Our disclosure program for salons, spas and studios is called "Know Before You Go Durham".
Each time a public health inspector visits a salon, spa or studio for an inspection they will give the salon, spa or studio a coloured sign. The sign and the inspection results will be posted online for two years.
- A green sign is a pass.
- A yellow sign is a conditional pass.
- A red sign means there has been a closure.
The sign must be posted right away at the main entrance to the spa, salon or studio, where it is visible to the public. Online inspection results on the portal provides real-time inspection and investigation results.
Common questions and answers about disclosure.
Inspection signs and resources |
||||||||
|
Contact Us