•Reuben Wood Salon in Manchester is the first hairdressers in U.K. to have a state-of-the-art air cleaning system.
•Pioneering technology can be used in public spaces to combat coronavirus.
•Far-UV light is ‘revolutionary’ for infection control.

Cutting edge coronavirus-killing technology has been installed in a hairdressing studio in Greater Manchester.

The award winning Reuben Wood Salon is a ‘cut above’ – as the first salon in the country to have a revolutionary Far UV filter air disinfection system.

The Hepacart Germ Buster 5000 is state-of-the-art Far-UV light technology from America: typically found in U.S hospital operating theatres.

Reuben’s entrepreneur brother Jordan discovered the revolutionary technology, and has brought the brand to market here, with his fashion week stylist brother the first to harness for his busy salon.

Salon partner Karl Collins said: “When the government confirmed that salons could re-open, Reuben and I thoroughly read the official guidelines and all the up-to-date information from the British Hair Federation. Although we were confident about reopening our business, we were also looking for other ideas to keep our ten stylists and our clients as protected as possible.

“Reuben knew his brother was working on Far-UV technology but we weren’t sure if it was the kind of equipment you could have in a hair salon. We had wrongly assumed it would be a huge piece of laboratory style equipment that would be installed in the ceiling of a hospital but that just isn’t the case. This kit isn’t invasive, not as expensive as you might think, and can be fitted anywhere.

“It was a no-brainer for us to get a piece of equipment that will clean the air in the entire salon every three minutes.

“The response from our clients and staff has been amazing, it seems to reassure them that we have taken their wellbeing into consideration. Reuben and I just wanted to do all we could to keep everybody who comes into our space, safe.

“With all the team using full PPE, and clients wearing face masks, the Germbuster gives everyone who comes into the salon extra peace of mind.”

Far-UV light is proven to destroy coronaviruses, SARS, MRSA, influenza, tuberculosis, measles, bacteria and pathogens.

There are three types of ultraviolet light – UVA, UVB and UVC – all of which have the potential to damage human skin.

UVC light from special germicidal lamps kills germs, and has been used as a means of disinfecting hospital wards and operating theatres for decades. However, these areas must be empty of people when in use, because the lamps operate at a harmful wavelength that can penetrate the eyes and skin, causing inflammation and pain.

Far-UVC lamps emit shorter wavelengths, and are safe because proteins in the skin efficiently absorb this light and provide a natural protective barrier.

One of Reuben’s regular clients, Debra Williams is a nurse, who works in operating theatres at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Debra who lives in Manchester, was delighted when she went for her much anticipated post lockdown cut and colour at the salon, a renowned fixture on the High Street in the Northern Quarter for 16 years.

She said: “I have never seen or heard of this kind of technology before. I didn’t know what the silver box was in the salon, but when the science behind it was explained to me, I was so impressed.

“Knowing that Reuben and Karl have gone that bit further and invested in this groundbreaking technology for their salon makes me feel very comfortable that this effort has been made to make me and their staff a lot safer from infections.

“After leaving the salon I went home and researched Far-UV cleaning light technology. I know it’s very new, and would make such a difference if it was in every hospital, as it would help so much in the fight against coronavirus and other killer infections.”

Jordan, explains: “There is no other company in the UK doing Far-UV light disinfection yet and Reuben’s salon is certainly the first salon in the UK, and possibly Europe, to use Far UV infection control technology.

“I was blown away when I discovered the Hepacart technology in America, knowing how many health associated infections there are each year in the NHS, costing an estimated 1.2 billion and countless lives.

“It didn’t surprise me when I compared the methods used currently in the NHS, to the Hepacart technology available in America. Over the last six months Hepacart has been deployed in some of the major NHS hospitals the UK taking the standard of infection control for estate managers to another level.

“Far-UV technology was used in a product designed by Hepacart to create negative air barriers between rooms so you can contain viruses and pathogens in healthcare environments.

“My brother, Karl and I worked out that around 60-70 people are in and out of the salon in one day. That’s a lot of contact. I knew this equipment would be perfect for them as the Germbuster makes the air cleaner for everyone in the room, so there’s significantly less risk of infection.

“This country has been one of the worst affected in the world from the pandemic and this technology could really help combat the infection rate. Coronavirus and Covid-19 spreads from person to person mainly through fine liquid droplets that become airborne when people cough, sneeze, talk or even sing.

“Using Far UV disinfection lights replaces some conventional chemical cleaning and disinfection methods. Unlike tradition UVC lighting which is, of course, harmful to humans, Far-UV can be used to totally disinfect a room even when people are present.

“This technology is a game charger in infection control.”

Reuben Wood salon is on 110 High St, Manchester M4 1HQ Phone: 0161 832 6363
For interviews with Reuben please contact karlcollins12@googemail.com

For more information and interviews about Far-UV light technology please contact Jordan.wood@hepacart.co.uk