Ultraviolet-C Light-emitting Device Against Microorganisms in Beauty Salons

BACKGROUND. Ultraviolet light in the UV-C band is also known as germicidal radiation, and it is widely used for decontamination and disinfection of environments, water, and food. The ultraviolet source transfers electromagnetic energy from a mercury arc lamp to an organism's genetic material. When UV radiation penetrates the cell wall of an organism, it destroys the cell's ability to reproduce, through a physical and not chemical process. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of a new UV-C generating device (Asepsis) against clinically important microorganisms that may be present in beauty centers. METHODS. We present here a set of tests performed on tools easy to find in beauty salons (hair-brushes, nail pliers, makeup brushes, and, due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, face mask samples). They were individually contaminated with bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus), fungi (Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans, Malassezia furfur), and the Chikungunya virus. Different times of exposure were evaluated (1, 3, and 5 minutes). RESULTS. There was notable reduction in the microbial load in every test, in comparison with control groups. Best results were observed on face mask samples, while the makeup brush showed less reduction, even with longer periods of exposure. CONCLUSIONS. Beauty salons present a risk of infections due to microbial exposure. The device tested can efficiently inactivate, in a short time, microorganisms contaminating most tools found in this setting. The device also showed promising results against enveloped virus.