UVC Disinfection – What Your Aesthetic Practice Should Know
We know that you are eager and ready to again open your doors and return to business as usual- and you are not alone. Patient’s everywhere have been long awaiting to break out of their homes and return to their overdue laser, injectable, and facial appointments. A poll by Realself.com shows that most patients are overly eager to get back…and the big revenue numbers reported by those that did open this past weekend is evidence to prove it.
The question on everyone’s mind however is how to open up safely and responsibly. We are learning from historically highly sterilized environments like hospitals what procedures aesthetic practices may want to adopt – like using UVC light to kill viruses and bacteria. Not surprising, there has been a deluge of new products and communications focused on UVC and its effects on coronaviruses and so we wanted to break down what this method of disinfection is and what you should consider before investing in a UVC solution for your practice.
What is UVC Disinfection?
UVC Disinfection is a form of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UGVI) that uses light energy to destroy bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms. UVC disinfection uses light in a germicidal range (200-280nm) that is readily absorbed by the DNA and RNA of microorganisms. Once absorbed, UVC causes damage to the DNA structure thus preventing the microorganism from replicating and spreading. To date, all bacteria and viruses tested have responded to UVC disinfection.
Does it Work?
For over 40 years, UVC has been used extensively in disinfecting drinking water, wastewater, air, pharmaceutical products, and most recently to sterilize PPE for healthcare workers so that it can be reused and re-worn. The CDC has stated that Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) has shown the most promise as a method of decontaminating filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
UVC light energy is proven to kill coronaviruses that are near-relatives of the COVID-19 virus and the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) believes similar results can be expected when treating COVID-19’s virus. Coronaviruses, including COVID-19, fall into the category of “enveloped viruses” which are some of the least resilient.
Is UVC disinfection safe?
UVC devices are safe but, with anything, they must be used properly UVC light is much “stronger” than normal sunlight, and can cause a severe sunburn-like reaction to your skin, and similarly, could damage the retina of your eye, if exposed.
What should you look for in a UVC device?
When investing in a UVC disinfection solution, it is important to consider the intensity and wattage of the unit, the safety features, the lamp-life and the size of the space you are treating. The exposure of germicidal ultraviolet is the product of time and intensity – therefore, low intensity devices require more time to kill bacteria and viruses and vice versa. The wattage will determine the square footage that one germicidal UVC lamp will cover.
The aforementioned IUVA (a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of ultraviolet technologies to help address public health and environmental concerns) urges consumers to exercise caution when selecting equipment and to look for third party testing as well as certification of device materials by well-known organizations like the UL, ETL etc.
Cartessa’s business model allows it to react to market needs and hand-select the best-in-class solutions for their aesthetic practices. Cartessa selected the AltaUV because it addressed the critical considerations above. For example, the AltaUV has the following benefits and features
- TWELVE UVC lamps for maximum intensity
- Proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria, germs, micro-organisms and viruses
- 660W to disinfect a 10×10’ room in 20 minutes
- 360-degree sensors for automatic shut-off to eliminate individual’s exposure
- Large, locking wheels for optimal transportability
- Manufactured by the leading UVC provider with 60 years in business and 25+ years manufacturing mobile UVC units
- EPA approved, UL certified
The AltaUV offers unmatched efficacy, safety and quality and has been used in over 12,000 hospital settings worldwide.
In this environment, it’s not enough to just re-open, you need to do so confidently. The steps and investments you make are important to your team and your patients – whether it be technologies used to treat or now, in between those treatments. Therefore, whether it’s the AltaUV or another device you are thinking about, be sure you the company behind the technology is reputable and can support the integration into your practice. Reach out to a Cartessa agent to get your questions answered and to discuss how we might continue to support you as we all move forward safely.
In you would like to order an AltaUV visit the Cartessa Store at www.cartessastore.com or Contact your Cartessa Agent Today.
CDC Reference: (CDC reference to back use of UVGI in coronavirus setting: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/decontamination-reuse-respirators.html)
