Before reusing a nonporous styling tool that touched a client's skin, the cosmetologist must:

Any nonporous styling tool that contacts a client's skin or hair (combs, sectioning clips, metal-handled brushes, etc.) must be cleaned and then disinfected before it is used on another client. A quick wipe or rinse is not sufficient to kill pathogens. This applies the salon's core clean-then-disinfect rule to styling implements specifically. Consistently disinfecting reusable tools between clients prevents cross-contamination, and the exam repeatedly checks that candidates apply this standard to every category of tool.