Peter Gasarasi, 45, a resident of Kiyovu, a Kigali city suburb, always has a clean shaven head and chin. Interestingly, the last time he visited a barbershop was 5 years ago. Instead some enclosure in his five roomed house is host to clippers, pair of scissors, a smoother, after shave cream, methyl spirit, and a mirror hanging on the wall. And this way he is able to take care of his own hair.

"Hair dandruff and rashes on the chin especially had become part of me when I was still using public salons, but that stopped ever since I stopped going there,” Gasarasi says.

He says the biggest turnoff was when he saw a barber use a blood stained clipper on five people consecutively without sterilising, only pausing to clean it with a shoe brush.

Risk

Alfred Gatabarwa, a general practitioner with Abbey Family Clinic, Remera, says the dangers that may emerge from such negligent practices in a barbershop are immense, ranging from transmission of skin diseases like scabies, fungal infections, ringworms, warts and other bacterial infections to more severe diseases like Hepatitis B, C and HIV/Aids.

Gloria Rwiringira , a dermatologist, says bacteria, fungus and parasites that cause some of these infections can survive for seven days on salon implements like aprons, towels, chairs and hair cutting equipment if poorly cleaned and disinfected.

"It’s possible to leave the salon with infestations like lice and bed bugs too,” she adds.

Paula Mariam Umubyeyi, an administrator at a popular salon in Kigali, blames this on visiting extremely cheap salons that may not afford items like sterilizers.

"Some barbers dilute methyl spirit with water because they can’t afford enough disinfectant. And the reason is because they earn very little,” Umubyeyi says.

She also explains that because some salons are too busy, the barber may not have time to disinfect the clippers.Most salons charge between Rwf300 and Rwf2000.

Preventive measures

Umubyeyi says that a clipper should be sterilised after every haircut for at least five minutes before being cleaned with a piece of cotton dipped in a disinfectant.

"The cutting edge of the clipper should also be replaced at least after every 3 months,” she says, adding that freshly clean aprons and towels should be used every day, with the latter kept in the warmer when not in use.

Rwiringira remarks that it would be a wise move if someone went ahead to confirm whether the salon they go to has an operational license, just to make sure it’s employees are qualified.

She adds that protective wear like masks and gloves could go a long way in protecting the hairdresser from skin contact and reducing the chances of infection.

Experts advise that washing hands with disinfectant soap and warm water after working on a customer removes bacteria from the barber.

Some salons have sterilising instruments that are not functional. Therefore a customer should observe and ensure the instrument is functional.

"Furniture used during a haircut such as chairs, benches should be cleaned regularly and a clean covering placed over the surface,” Gatabarwa points out.

Rwiringira says that ensure the water used to clean ones head after a trim is warm, and its container clean.The last option is to have the salon employee use your personal kit — which can be purchased but be sure to clean and sanitize your set of instruments after every use.

Cost of treatment

If you experience redness, swelling, itching of scalp in any treated areas following a visit to the beauty salon, it would be wise to purchase antibacterial ointment at a drug store and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.

Gatabarwa says in case you get a simple cut that needs only cleaning and dressing, you will part with about Rwf 5000 at a health facility. However, if the cut is deep, you will need more than that for a tetanus shot and stitches.

He remarks that if you catch HIV or Hepatitis B and C, treat the symptoms and take measures to avoid further aggravation. He says no cost estimate can be attached since there is no cure for the above cases.

In case of fungal infections, Gatabarwa says treatment could cost between Rwf 25,000 and 40,000.