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You think you’re doing everything right for the safety and care of your clients. Day in and day out you take measures to wash your hands, wipe down surfaces and more. However, a couple of the most common hygiene solutions you’re relying on, are letting you down.
'Standard' hygiene practice during treatment is to use paper head sheets or towels for shared surfaces on the massage table. Unfortunately, these products are nowhere near as protective as they need to be and are placing your clients at risk of infection. On top of this, they often cause discomfort and contribute to unnecessary waste.
Whether it’s in massage, acupuncture, physio, chiro, osteo or other therapy treatments, here’s how the industry’s most popular solutions are failing your duty of care, customer experience and the environment.
On paper — paper sounds like a great solution. Single use for hygiene purposes, easily disposable and usually recyclable. No issue, right?
Well, not exactly. While paper may be single use, if often tears during treatment and allows fluids to seep through. Paper sheets that do provide improved bacterial filtration are made from mixed materials. This typically includes plastic polyethylene lining and means they are no longer recyclable.
Either way, all paper-based head sheets on the market fail in one huge way — they do not cover the internal area of the face hole and this is where clients directly place their main pathogen transmission pathways (eyes, nose, mouth) during treatment. Without proper protection in this area, clients are exposed to bacteria.
Not only are your clients at risk of harmful germs but there’s also the discomfort of post-treatment wrinkles and irritated skin. Paper is rough against the face and the sound of rustling doesn’t make for a relaxing experience.
In most therapy settings, towels are indispensable. However, did you know they can also be breeding grounds for bacteria?
Warm, absorbent and often damp, towels can retain everything from harmful skin flora to infectious and deadly diseases. Swab testing of treatment beds in five different clinics found traces of rhinovirus and Staphylococcus aureus on the internal aspect of the face hole.
Even worse, no matter how thoroughly you wash them, stubborn germs are likely to linger. Research indicates that even hospital grade laundering cannot eliminate 100% of contaminants from towels.
You might think at least towels are reusable, right? But, they may not be as eco-friendly as they seem. Washing towels demands a significant amount of water and energy daily. Did you know a standard washing machine uses between 60 and 130 litres of water per load? Imagine the environmental impact of your business doing multiple loads every week — it's a massive use of resources.
Additionally, the convenience of towels comes with a significant drawback — the time spent laundering them. The hours you spend washing each day’s towels could be far better utilised elsewhere, whether it’s treating more clients, focusing on your business, spending time with family or even taking a well-deserved moment for yourself.
Moreover, towels don't even cover the internal aspect of the therapy bed's face hole, leaving this critical area exposed.
Soft, silent and client preferred, the Purifas FaceShield is the first and only product worldwide to provide 100% face-hole coverage. It is scientifically proven to reduce bacterial transmission by 86%. Additionally, clinical testing has revealed that there is a significant reduction in bacterial transfer with its use.
Made from two-ply polypropylene, the FaceShield is as smooth as silk and will stay intact for the entire treatment. Its luxurious feel is sure to impress your clients.
Don’t just listen to us — take the word of clients. Purifas conducted market research where clients experienced treatment with a paper product and then the FaceShield. Almost 90% of clients preferred the FaceShield, and 70% referenced comfort and improved feel compared to paper sheets.
Make the swap not only for your clients but also for the environment. Healthcare services contribute to 7% of Australia’s carbon footprint. Some waste is unavoidable and in healthcare, necessary, for example disposal of acupuncture needles or single-use gloves. That’s why it’s more important than ever to take control of the waste you can reduce or recycle.
The FaceShield is 100% recyclable. Therapists can return their used FaceShields to Purifas HQ, where we handle the recycling in partnership with RecycleSmart. Alternatively, you can create a RecycleSmart account and book your first recycling pickup directly. Purifas customers enjoy their first pickup free of charge. For more details, visit our recycling page. To claim your special offer for a free first pickup, head over to our affiliates page (you'll need to log in to your customer account to access offer details).
Say goodbye to paper and towels, and hello to a safer, more comfortable and environmentally friendly solution — Purifas FaceShield. It’s the best swap you’ll make!
The FaceShield is available for purchase for AU$39.60 per box of 100. Get yours here.
Ensuring top-notch hygiene in therapy and allied health settings is vital for client safety. Shared equipment can easily lead to cross-contamination without strict hygiene protocols. Towels, frequently used in these environments, can harbour bacteria even after washing, posing risks to both clients and therapists. This guide will help you understand these risks, avoid common mistakes and implement the best hygiene practices, all while being environmentally conscious.
