Personal Services Settings

Personal Service Settings Inspection Reports

What is a Personal Services Setting (PSS)

As part of its mandate under the Ontario Public Health Standards, 2018 and the Infection Prevention and Control Protocol, 2019, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) inspects personal service settings (PSS) to improve infection prevention and control practices and to minimize the risk of blood-borne/other types of infections during the delivery of personal services. PSS refer to settings in which aesthetic services are delivered, such as but not limited to:

  • Manicures & Pedicures
  • Body piercing & Ear lobe piercing
  • Waxing & Facials
  • Hairstyling & Barbering
  • Tattooing & Micro-blading
  • Body modification (branding, scarification etc.)
  • Electrolysis & Laser hair removal
  • Microdermabrasion

Public health inspectors (PHIs) at Ottawa Public Health (OPH) routinely inspect these establishments to ensure that service is delivered in accordance with the Ministry of Health's Ontario Regulation 136/18: Personal Service Settings to prevent the spread of  infections (eg. blood-borne, fungal etc.)

Residents are urged to consider their own personal safety before obtaining personal services. Learn more about what to look for in a specific service before and during your appointment.

Residents are also encouraged to look for a certificate - issued by OPH - that ensures the premises has been inspected by a Public Health Inspector. They can visit the Personal Service Settings Inspection Results to review the most recent inspection history of all PSS in Ottawa.

Investigation of Complaints

All complaints are dealt with in confidence. If you have any questions or concerns about a personal service settings, you can contact Ottawa Public Health. 

Four steps to protect when visiting a Personal Service Setting

Four Steps to Protect Yourself

  1. Know before you go
    • Ottawa Public Health inspects personal service settings located in private homes and commercial settings such as hairdressers, barber shops, tattoo and body piercing studios as well as facilities that provide electrolysis, acupuncture and various other aesthetic services.
  2. Look around and ask questions
    • Take time to observe staff practices to ensure they are using clean tools and have clean hands
    • Ask staff any questions that you may have. 
  3.  Make an informed decision
    • If you are uncomfortable with what you see or what you hear, do not be afraid to refuse the services
    • You have the right to receive a safe services with clean tools and clean hands
  4.  Report concerns or complaints
    • You can help prevent the spread of serious infections

Piercing and Tattooing Services

What is piercing?

There are two types of piercings:

  • An earlobe piercing may be performed using an ear piercing machine/gun or done using a needle. Remember that ear piercing machines/guns are intended for use on the earlobe only and are not intended for use on any other part of the body. 
  • Body piercing involves the insertion of jewellery, rings, studs, bar bells, etc. into tissue using a needle.  Sites on the body that may be pierced include the ear lobe, eye brow, ear cartilage, nose, naval, lip, tongue, etc. A hollow needle is passed through the tissues on the body part followed by the insertion of the body jewellery in the hole.  The jewellery pushes the needle out through the tissue opening created by the needle.

What is tattooing/micropigmentation/microblading?

Tattooing refers to any method of placing ink or other pigment into or under the skin by the aid of needles or any other instrument used to puncture the skin, resulting in permanent or semi-permanent coloration of the skin.

What are my health risks?

Micro-organisms that can cause disease in humans are called pathogens (aka germs).  Humans are protected from many pathogens by the skin or mucous membranes.  When the skin is opened/broken/pierced, pathogens have an opportunity to enter the body.  This can result in infections or the transmission of disease.

Pathogens can be transferred from equipment to a person when the skin is penetrated.  Equipment can be contaminated by infected blood and body fluids by an infected  client or  worker.  Some pathogens that can be introduced this way are hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Infection control precautions must be followed to protect both the client and worker..  

Know before you go

Learn more about what to look for in a specific service before and during your appointment by reviewing the following factsheets:

Manicure and Pedicure Services

What is a manicure and a pedicure?

Manicures are cosmetic treatments meant to improve the appearance of fingernails and hands. They may include filing, cuticle care/trimming, shaping, hand massage, applying polish or paraffin wax treatments.
Pedicures are cosmetic treatments meant to improve the appearance of toe nails and feet. Pedicures include cutting of the toe nails and the removal of dead skin and calluses from the feet using a foot file or pumice stones. Some businesses offer leg care below the knee, which may include granular exfoliation, applying moisturizing creams and a leg massage.

What are my health risks?

Instruments and equipment used for manicures and pedicures can become contaminated with blood or body fluids that carry disease- causing micro-organisms such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV or other infectious agents, such as bacteria or fungi. Fungal and bacterial infections can appear as discolorations in the nail that spread toward the cuticle and cause pain, redness, itching and pus around the nail area. Foot baths have been linked to outbreaks of skin infections, caused by mycobacteria.

Know before you go

Learn more about what to look for in a specific service before and during your appointment by reviewing the following factsheet:

Electrolysis and Laser Hair Removal Services

What is electrolysis?

Electrolysis is a method of permanent hair removal. Common areas treated include the chin, legs and eye brows. During electrolysis, an electric current is conducted through a needle inserted into the hair follicle, destroying hair growth cells.

What is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal devices operate by emitting a pulse of infrared radiation that is targeted at the pigment in the hair and causes destruction of the hair follicle while not damaging the surrounding skin.  Laser hair removal can be performed on virtually any part of your body including your arms, legs, bikini area, back etc.

What are my health risks?

Electrolysis is an invasive procedure where instruments and equipment used can become contaminated with blood or body fluids that carry disease-causing micro-organisms such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV or other infectious agents, such as bacteria or fungi. Ensure that appropriate eye protection (i.e. goggles) are worn by you and the personal services worker.  During laser hair removal, equipment that may have accidently come in contact with blood or body fluids  may carry disease causing micro-organisms such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV or other infectious agents.

Know before you go

Learn more about what to look for in a specific service before and during your appointment by reviewing the following factsheet:

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