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Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is warning that some clients of an Ottawa beauty salon with locations on Innes Road and Bank Street may have been exposed to blood-borne infections.
OPH said the potential risk is for clients who received a manual facial with equipment known as a comedone extractor with lancet at two branches of Gorgeous Brows and Lashes Beauty Salon (3900 Innes Road and 2210 Bank Street). A comedone extractor with lancet is used to remove blackheads and treat clogged pores.
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Clients who had other treatments at the salons are not at risk. The potential risk period was before Dec. 6, 2024.
No cases of blood-borne illnesses have been directly linked to the lapse in infection prevention and control.
OPH issued the rare public alert after inspectors discovered improper sterilization of the comedone extractor with lancet. Improper sterilization of such equipment can lead to bacterial skin infections and, in rare cases, could spread blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B and C and even HIV, OPH said in a statement. It also said the owner has cooperated and the lapse has been corrected.
“There is no ongoing risk to the public.”
OPH recommends clients who underwent the procedure before Dec. 6 of last year speak with their healthcare provider as a precaution. It also advises people unsure whether that type of instrument was used to speak with a healthcare profession who can help assess their risk of blood-borne infections, based on the procedure and overall health status to determine whether testing should be done.
More information is available at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/LapseGBL
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