Any non-porous instrument that comes into contact with blood must be?

In the context of infection control and safety in esthetic practices, any non-porous instrument that comes into contact with blood must be sterilized to ensure that all viable microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, are completely eliminated. Sterilization is a high-level disinfection process that achieves the highest standard of cleanliness, rendering an item free from all forms of microbial life.

In contrast, the other levels of cleaning—sanitization, disinfection, and washing—do not guarantee the complete elimination of all pathogens. Sanitization reduces the number of bacteria to a safe level, while disinfection targets specific pathogens but may not eliminate all spores or non-enveloped viruses. Washing merely involves the removal of dirt and debris, often using water and soap, but does not address the presence of harmful microorganisms on the surfaces of instruments.

Thus, the requirement for sterilization is crucial when dealing with instruments that have been exposed to blood, as it ensures the highest standard of safety and hygiene, preventing potential infections or complications in clients.