What essential practice should be performed before and after client treatments to maintain hygiene?

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Hand washing is the essential practice because your hands are in direct contact with the client and can transfer dirt, bacteria, and viruses between people. Washing with soap and water before starting a treatment removes microbes from your hands, reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Doing it again after finishing a treatment protects the next client and helps you stay clean and safe. A good method is to wet hands, lather with soap, scrub for at least 20 seconds, rinse well, and dry with a clean disposable towel, using that towel to turn off taps to avoid recontamination. Fresh towels, daily floor cleaning, and disinfecting surfaces are important for overall hygiene, but they don’t address the immediate, direct transfer risk that hand washing targets.