Working as an esthetician or spa owner is a rewarding career that offers a direct opportunity to create more beauty and less stress in the world. This is why it is just as important that you as the business owner must have peace of mind as well! In this article we are going to cover how you can keep all the regular equipment the you use to run your spa and/or salon in tip top shape.

The Steamer:

One of the most common pieces found in virtually all spas & salons, the steamer is a great  piece for helping expand your clients' pores and letting your treatments sink in. However the steamer is also one of the most neglected pieces of equipment in terms of maintenance! Poorly maintained you should expect your steamer to last 3-5 years maximum, however if you maintain it properly, you could easily see it lasting 20+ years. Here are our three most important tips for maintaining your steamer and preventing costly repairs:

1. Never leave water in the steamer overnight or over the weekend. Always make sure to drain to and refill your steamer when you need to use it.
2. Every so often, let's say every other month, check your steamer's heating element for any mineral deposits that may have formed due to the mineral levels in your local tap water.Look for yellow to white crust or film on the element. To clean this fill the water and add two table spoons of white vinegar. Switch the steamer on and let it run until the water begins to heat but DON'T let it steam for more than 30 seconds, switch it off and let it rest for 15 minutes. Then drain the water and refill with just hot water and let run for 5 minutes to clear the vinegar smell.
3. Finally never put cold water on a hot element. This could cause the heating element to crack, which is not inexpensive to repair!

Wax Heaters:

Wax heaters are generally pretty reliable machines as they consist of few parts. Keeping this thing clean is the most important part of maintaining it as wax will build up on it with regular usage. When the heater is cold, take a dry cloth and apply some wax cleaning solution such as the Biolab Limesol. What happens if you don't do this is that the residual wax will slowly melt and enter into the heater which will cause a fire!

High-Frequency Machines:

Excluding the glass electrodes (which cannot be repaired and must replaced) the only thing that will really go wrong with or need servicing with your High-Frequency machine is the High-Frequency coil. Typically needs to be serviced every 3-5 years to keep in optimal condition.

Rotary Brush:

Used properly, this machine should last forever! Never put the handle in water, sterilize with a UV machine, take good care of your brushes and you'll be fine!

Magnifying Lamps:

No real maintenance needed other than the occasional tightening of the screws in the arm or a changing of the light bulb.

Stools, Beds & Chair:

A common mistake made with beds & chairs and other vinyl or leather furniture is the use of heavy disinfectants to keep them clean. A bed should almost never be directly exposed to the client during treatments lest the materials get worn and eventually cracked. A fitted terry sheet or linen should cover the piece during treatment. A hand wash with soap and water will be sufficient for keeping it clean. Electrical beds should always be checked at least once a year by the supplier if they provide repair services.

To close, if you can follow the above steps, your spa should run smoothly year after year with capital investment costs staying low! If you ever do any servicing done contact Breizh and we'll be able to guide you through the next steps.

Cheers,

Taylor