Under what condition may you store alum or styptic in lump or stick form?

• A. If you don't intend to use on customers
• B. If kept behind the counter
• C. Only if clearly labeled 'for demonstration'
• D. They are never allowed in the salon

Answer: (D)

Sanitation and safe handling in the salon require that anything that touches skin or blood be kept in a form that can be cleanly discarded after each client. A lump or stick of alum or styptic is hard to sanitize between uses, so it can transfer bacteria or other contaminants from one client to the next. Because of this cross‑contamination risk, these products should not be stored or used in lump or stick form in the salon. Use sterile, disposable applicators or single-use packets instead, and discard after every client.