the barber or hairdresser?

• At the barber there is no risk of infection unless the skin is cut (which may occur if the barber accidentally cuts you) and if there is a transfer of infected blood. • If the instruments are contaminated with infected blood and are not sterilised between clients there is a risk of HIV transmission. • To reduce the risk of blood-borne infections such as hepatitis and HIV, ensure that the razor/instruments used are new or have been properly sterilised. • However, people who carry out body piercing, tattoos, or hair-dressing should follow procedures called “universal precautions”, which are designed to prevent the transmission of blood-borne infections such as HIV and hepatitis B.  more