Must the needle used to sew in hair extensions be disinfected?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if shared
• D. Not required

Answer: (A)

Infection control is the key idea here. Any needle that penetrates the skin and could contact bodily fluids must be cleaned and disinfected (or sterilized) before it’s used on another person. In hair-extension sewing, the needle creates a pathway into the skin, so if the instrument is reused, it can transfer bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens from one client to the next. For safety, use a disinfected needle if reusing it, or, best practice, a new sterile needle for each client. That’s why the correct stance is that the needle must be disinfected (or replaced) to prevent cross‑contamination, not that disinfection isn’t required or only applies when sharing.