Aesthetic Services – Infection Prevention and Control

An aesthetic service is a service that is intended to alter appearance. This may include waxing, facials, and laser hair removal.

  • Microneedling may be done with a motorized pen-style device using needle cartridges, a roller style device with tiny needles on a roller or a derma stamp with tiny needles on a flat surface used to stamp the skin.
  • All microneedling devices and products must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
  • Ensure microneedling devices have not been recalled by Health Canada. Visit Health Canada’s website for recall information at recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en

Roller Style Devices

  • Microneedle rollers without removable roller heads must be sterile single use and the entire unit must be discarded into an approved sharps container after use.
  • Microneedle rollers with removable roller heads must be sterile, single use and roller heads discarded into an approved sharps container after use.
    • If the handle is reusable according to the manufacturer, the handle must be cleaned and then disinfected with a high-level disinfectant between each client.

Using Products with Microneedling

  • Products that are intended for topical use only, cannot be used immediately before, during, or after microneedling. If you are unsure if the product can be used with microneedling, contact Health Canada.
  • Currently there are no products containing human exosomes approved for sale or use in Canada.
  • Do not provide services or use products that contain human exosomes. For information on exosomes please visit BodySafe or contact Health Canada.
  • Only topical anaesthetics approved by Health Canada are to be used prior to the service. Injectable anaesthetics must not be used. If a topical anaesthetic is used, the skin site must be cleaned with a suitable and approved skin antiseptic before applying the anesthetic.

Before Starting Microneedling

  • Inspect the needle packaging to ensure they are sterile, not expired, and in good condition. If there is no expiry date, ensure packaging is intact.
  • Provide the client with information about the procedure and any associated risks.
  • Inspect the area of the skin for redness, swelling or a rash. Avoid service within 6 inches of skin that is red, swollen, infected or with a rash.
  • Wash or sanitize your hands before putting on new single-use disposable gloves and after removing gloves.
  • Dispense any creams, lotions and ointments in a manner that prevents contamination.
  • Clean the area of the skin before microneedling using an approved antiseptic such as 70% isopropyl alcohol. If the skin is visibly soiled, clean the skin with soap and water before the applying antiseptic.
  • Sterile needles must remain in the sterile packaging until use.

Aftercare Instructions

  • After microneedling, every client should receive verbal and written information on what they should do if their skin becomes red, swollen, infected or uncomfortable.

Controlled Acts and Microneedling

  • Certain microneedling devices are classified as medical devices and may only be used by a Regulated Health Professional (RHP) or by an individual who has received appropriate delegation from an RHP.
  • Operators are responsible for reviewing all manufacturer’s instructions for use (MIFU) on microneedling devices and ensuring Controlled Acts are performed only by those legally permitted and appropriately trained.
  • In Ontario, “Controlled Acts” shall only be performed by regulated health professionals as outlined in the Regulated Health Professional Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c.18 including Medical Doctors, Nurse Practitioners or by a qualified individual whom they have legally delegated to perform these procedures.
  • Controlled Acts are defined in the Regulated Health Professional Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c.18 and Ontario Regulation 107/96 Controlled Acts and include, but are not limited to:
    • Performing a procedure on tissue below the dermis, below the surface of a mucous membrane, in or below the surface of the cornea, or in or below the surfaces of the teeth, including the scaling of teeth.
    • Applying or ordering the application of a form of energy (such as electrocoagulation) prescribed by the regulations under this Act.
  • Under Ontario Regulation 107/96 Controlled Acts the following activities are exempt from the definition a Controlled Act:
    1. Ear or body piercing for the purpose of accommodating a piece of jewellery.
    2. Electrolysis.
    3. Tattooing for cosmetic purposes.
  • Use a single-use disposable applicator or stick to dispense the wax. After the applicator touches the client it must be thrown in the garbage. Do not use the applicator again to get more wax, even for the same client.
  • Do not “double dip”. Put a small amount of wax into a small container. Use all the wax for one client and throw away the left over wax with the container.
  • Metal applicators can be reused as long as they never touch the client.
  • You can use a metal applicator to apply wax onto a strip of material and then apply the material with the wax onto the client. This way, the metal applicator never touches the client and can be dipped back into the wax.
  • The applicator must be cleaned and then immersed in a disinfectant, such as 70% isopropyl alcohol for 10 minutes, at the end of the day.
  • Wax rollers that are applied directly on the skin can only be used on one client. Throw away any leftover wax with the cartridge and roller.
  • Wax rollers applied onto a strip of material can be reused for more than one client.
  • Use a single-use, pre-packaged, sterile needle to expose ingrown hairs. Discard needles into an approved sharps container immediately after use. Sharps containers cannot be discarded into regular garbage.
  • If a tweezer is used to expose ingrown hairs and is in contact with non-intact skin, the tweezers must be cleaned and disinfected with a high-level disinfectant between clients.
  • High level disinfectants (excluding chlorine bleach) must be approved by Health Canada on the Medical Devices Active License Listing (MDALL).
  • Keep records for high level disinfectant use for at least three years with a minimum of one year (365 days) on site. Sample Disinfectant records are available.
      • During an invasive facial an operator goes below the skin with an instrument. For example, the operator may use a needle or lancet.
      • Always clean your hands before and after using gloves. New disposable gloves must be worn for each client.
      • Use only pre-packaged, sterile and single-use needles.
      • Needles should be removed from their packaging in view of the client and discarded immediately into an approved sharps container. The sharps container cannot be discarded into regular garbage.
      • Never recap needles as this places you at risk for a needle stick injury.
      • Any other instrument that contacts non-intact skin such as a loop extractor must be cleaned and disinfected with an high level disinfectant between clients.
      • Comedone extractors with sharp ends are not allowed to be used.
      • If a tweezer is used to expose ingrown hairs and is in contact with non-intact skin, it must be cleaned and disinfected using a high-level disinfectant between clients.
      • Any part of the instrument that comes into contact with the client’s skin must be single-use OR must be cleaned and then disinfected between clients. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
      • Reusable goggles must be cleaned and disinfected as per manufacturer’s instructions after each use.
      • Razors used for shaving must be pre-packaged and thrown away immediately after each client.
      • Razors must be thrown out into an approved sharps container. Sharp containers cannot be discarded with regular garbage.
      • Tanning beds need to be cleaned and disinfected with a low level disinfectant between clients.
      • Reusable goggles need to be cleaned and disinfected as per manufacturer’s instructions after each use between clients.
      • Avoid “double dipping” in lotions. Lotions must be dispensed in a way that prevents contaminating the rest of the lotion (e.g. use a pump or single-use wooden stick).
      • For invasive services only, record the client’s name, address, telephone number, date and type of procedure, and the name of the person giving the service. For all other non-invasive services, obtain the client name and contact information.
      • Keep records of all sterile pre-packaged items purchased, client records, and accidental exposure records for three years with a minimum of one year (365 days) on site.

      Needle cartridges are used by many artists and aestheticians. There are two types of needle cartridges, cartridges with a protective membrane (also known as a safety membrane or backflow preventer), and cartridges without a protective membrane.

      Needle cartridges with a protective membrane reduce the risk of blood and body fluids contaminating equipment and transmitting bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV

      All needle cartridges that connect onto a device must have a protective membrane. Proof that the cartridge has a protective membrane is required on-site at the personal service setting.

      Acceptable proof that a cartridge has a protective membrane:

      • It is written on the box the cartridge comes in.
      • It is written on the individual needle cartridge sterile container/package.
      • It is written on the manufacturer’s website for that specific cartridge.
      • Written communication from the manufacturer such as an email.

      Information provided by suppliers or retailers is not accepted as proof.

      Remember:

      • Always use individually pre-packaged and sterile needle cartridges.
      • Double-check that the packaging has not been compromised.
      • Open packages in front of your client.
      • When any commercially purchased sterile items arrive onsite, record the details on the ‘Commercially Purchased Prepackaged and Sterile Items Records”. A sample record is available. PDF
      • Open packages in front of your client.
      • Record each needle cartridge lot number on the client record. A sample invasive client record is available PDF. Keep the records for three years with a minimum of one year (365 days) on-site.
      • Immediately discard the used cartridge into an approved sharps container. Do not reuse.
      • The machine, grip tube/sleeve, clip cord, pigment bottles and squirt bottles used during the service must be covered with a single-use, disposable protective cover. Once the cover is discarded the item is to be cleaned and disinfected with an intermediate level disinfectant.

      A printable needle cartridge resource document is available in English, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Vietnamese, Korean, and French.

      Exosomes are tiny sac-like structures that are formed inside a cell. Exosomes leave the cell and carry RNA, DNA, lipids, and proteins from one cell to another for communication. Products with human exosomes are classified as a drug and must be Health Canada approved with a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN). This includes if it is applied topically or used in combination with any other invasive procedure.

      What you need to know

      • Currently there are NO products containing human exosomes approved for sale or use in Canada.
      • Do not purchase products or provide services with products that contain human exosomes.
      • Long term studies are required to determine the safety of these products.
      • Exosome products can become contaminated in the manufacturing process and have been linked to bacterial sepsis and notices advising clients of potential exposures to bloodborne pathogens in the United States.
      • For information on exosomes, please contact Health Canada.

      If you have these products at your premises or see these products in the City of Toronto please contact BodySafe at bodysafe@toronto.ca.

      Halo head spas can pose infection risks if improperly designed, installed and maintained. Follow guidelines to protect clients and staff.

      • Halo head spas must be plumbed directly connected to a potable water source (e.g., municipal supply) – never use unplumbed or recycled water systems.
      • Avoid any water recirculation, whether from holding tanks or wash basins, even for the same client.
      • Manufacturer’s instructions for use (MIFU) must be provided and followed.
      • MIFUs should clearly explain how to clean, disinfect, and maintain the spa system.
      • Poorly designed systems can allow harmful bacteria like Legionella to grow, putting clients and staff at risk – especially near the face and respiratory areas.

      More information can be found at Public Health Ontario.
      Date modified: November 4, 2026