Esthetics Core Written Practice Test

What should an esthetician do after sanitizing their hands?

1. Immediately start the service

2. Wait for hands to dry

3. Use a towel to dry them

4. Apply lotion before starting

The correct answer is: Wait for hands to dry

After sanitizing their hands, an esthetician should wait for their hands to dry. This is crucial because allowing the hand sanitizer to completely dry ensures that the antiseptic properties have sufficient time to effectively eliminate germs and bacteria. The active ingredients in hand sanitizers, such as alcohol, need a certain dwell time on the skin to maximize their germicidal effectiveness. If the hands are not given adequate time to dry, it may reduce the sanitizer's effectiveness, potentially compromising the hygiene of the service provided. Using a towel to dry the hands could introduce new bacteria back onto them, negating the sanitation process. Similarly, immediately starting a service without allowing the hands to dry could also lead to contamination. Applying lotion before starting is not advisable as it can interfere with maintaining proper sanitation, especially if the lotion has not been sanitized itself. Therefore, waiting for hands to dry is the most hygienic and appropriate step following hand sanitization.