Tool Sterilisation in a Barbershop: The Autoclave

A customer sits down in the chair and asks: "And are those scissors clean? The last guy bled a bit by his ear." It is a question every barber hears, and a question the Sanepid (the Polish sanitary inspectorate) inspector asks too — only in the formal version: "How do you sterilise the tools that break the skin barrier?". Sterilisation is not the same as disinfection, and not every tool in a barbershop needs to be sterilised. But those that come into contact with blood must be sterile. This article explains the difference, shows how an autoclave works and exactly what the inspector will check.

Disinfection is not sterilisation

These two concepts are constantly confused, and the difference is crucial:

• Disinfection — reduces the number of micro-organisms to a safe level but does not destroy all forms (including spores). This is enough for tools that do not break the skin: combs, clippers with no blood contact, counters.
• Sterilisation — destroys all micro-organisms, including spores. Required for tools that contact blood or break the skin barrier: razors with reusable blades, scissors cutting near the skin, nippers.

The rule is simple: if a tool can come into contact with a customer's blood, it must be sterile before the next use — or single-use. We write more about the division of tools in the article on single-use versus reusable tools.

The legal basis for the sterilisation obligation

The obligation stems from the Act of 5 December 2008 on preventing and combating infections and infectious diseases in humans. Its Article 16 imposes on people performing procedures in which the continuity of tissue may be broken the obligation to apply procedures ensuring protection against infections. The repeal of the old regulation on hairdressing establishments did not lift this obligation — it merely shifted responsibility for drawing up the procedures onto the owner of the establishment.

How an autoclave works

An autoclave is a steam steriliser — the standard in medical, cosmetic and professional barbershop settings. It works using steam under pressure at high temperature, which destroys all micro-organisms.

Parameter	Typical value
Temperature	121°C or 134°C
Pressure	approx. 1–2 bar gauge
Cycle time (holding phase)	approx. 3–20 min depending on temperature and class
Class (recommended)	Class B — for pouched tools and those with recesses

For a barbershop, a class B autoclave is recommended, because it handles pouched tools and complex shapes. Class N (cheaper) sterilises only unpouched tools with a smooth surface, which is too limiting.

Sterilisation step by step

A correct process is not "in it goes, out it comes". The order matters:

1. Cleaning — remove dirt, hair remnants and blood from the tool (a washer, possibly an ultrasonic cleaner). An autoclave does not effectively sterilise a dirty tool.
2. Pre-disinfection — if the procedure provides for it.
3. Drying and pouching — you pouch the tools in sterilisation pouches with an indicator.
4. Sterilisation in the autoclave — the correct cycle, confirmed by a chemical indicator and (periodically) a biological one.
5. Storage — sterile tools in a closed pouch, with the sterilisation date.
6. Register entry — date, load, confirmation of the cycle's effectiveness.

Effectiveness control — what the inspector asks about

Merely owning an autoclave is not enough. The inspector checks whether sterilisation is effective and documented:

• Chemical indicators — strips or print on the pouch that change colour after a correct cycle.
• Biological indicators — periodic checks using a spore test, confirming that micro-organisms have been killed.
• The sterilisation register — kept up to date, with dates and loads.
• Autoclave servicing — confirmation that the device is in working order.

A register kept retroactively is easy to spot and raises more suspicion than its absence — so record cycles as you go.

What if I do not have an autoclave

An autoclave is an investment, but not the only route. You have alternatives:

• Working exclusively with single-use items — single-use razor blades, sterile accessories sourced externally. Then you do not need your own sterilisation for tools cutting near the skin.
• External sterilisation service — outsourcing tool sterilisation to a specialised provider (rarer in barbering practice).

What you must NOT do: "sterilise" tools cutting near the skin using liquid disinfection alone or a UV lamp. UV lamps and UV cabinets do not sterilise — at most they serve to store already-disinfected tools. Treating them as sterilisation is a common mistake that ends in a recommendation or a fine. More on the inspection in the article on the Sanepid inspection in a barbershop.

Organising work with the autoclave

Buying the device is only the beginning. The autoclave must fit into the salon's rhythm, otherwise tools "wait in the queue" and the barber reaches for non-sterile ones. Good organisation means:

• A stock of tools — more sets of scissors and handles, so one set is in the sterilisation cycle while another is in use.
• A dedicated zone — a place for cleaning, pouching and sterilisation, separated from the customer work area.
• A steady rhythm of cycles — sterilisation in blocks (e.g. during breaks), not "when you remember".
• Date labelling — sterile pouches with a date, so you know what is ready to use.

Without a stock of tools, the autoclave becomes a bottleneck and breeds the temptation to cut corners in the procedure. A few extra sets are an investment that pays off in peace of mind during an inspection.

The most common sterilisation mistakes

A list of things that ruin even a well-thought-out sterilisation system:

1. Sterilising a dirty tool — without prior cleaning, the process is ineffective.
2. No effectiveness control — no chemical or biological indicators.
3. A register kept retroactively — easy to spot and undermines the whole documentation.
4. The wrong autoclave class — class N for pouched tools that require class B.
5. Storing sterile tools loose — without a pouch they lose sterility.

It is worth knowing the whole inspection context to know what else the inspector will ask about — we describe it in the article on the first 15 minutes of an inspection.

Frequently asked questions

Does every barbershop have to have an autoclave?

Not always. If you use reusable tools that break the skin barrier, you must sterilise them — and an autoclave is the standard. You can, however, work exclusively with single-use blades and sterile accessories, in which case your own autoclave is not necessary.

Does a UV lamp sterilise tools?

No. UV cabinets and lamps do not provide sterilisation — they serve to store already-disinfected tools. Treating them as sterilisation is a mistake and may draw a remark from the inspector.

Which autoclave class is recommended for a barbershop?

Class B, because it sterilises pouched tools and those with complex shapes and recesses. Class N has limited use and only works for simple, unpouched tools.

How often should I do a biological check of the autoclave?

A biological check is performed periodically in line with the manufacturer's recommendations and your adopted procedure — in practice usually once a month. Chemical indicators are used with every cycle.