Ivy Beauty Bar

While the risk of blood-borne infection is assessed to be low, SEPH recommends individuals who have received manicure, pedicure or waxing services between May 31, 2023, and October 17, 2025 consult a health-care provider to discuss their personal risk and, if deemed appropriate, be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

Testing is free for residents with an Ontario health card (OHIP). If you do not have a health-care provider, contact Ontario 811 as you may be eligible for a virtual care appointment. If you are not an Ontario resident or do not have an OHIP number, contact Southeast Public Health at 1-800-660-5853 extension 2222.

See Ivy Beauty Bar Initial Report for more information.

Yes. Your personal health information is confidential and shared only between you and your health-care provider.

If your provider recommends testing and you agree, SEPH may receive a copy of your negative test result. This helps SEPH understand how many people have been tested and the overall results. If you prefer that SEPH does not receive your negative result, please let your health-care provider know.

Positive test results for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are required by law to be reported to your local public health unit under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA). SEPH will not share your results with anyone without your permission.

Because it can take time for infection to be detected in blood tests, you may need to be tested more than once to rule out infection. Contact a health-care provider for further information.

A positive blood test indicates that you have been exposed to the virus that causes hepatitis B, hepatitis C and/or HIV. It does not tell you where, when or how you became infected. If your test result is positive, your health-care provider and SEPH will contact you and will provide more information. There are highly effective treatments available for the management of these infections.

No, not at this time. If you test positive for an infection, SEPH will contact you with next steps.

Manicures, pedicures, and waxing services are generally not intended to break the skin or cause bleeding. However, in some cases, tools such as blades, nippers, or files — used for procedures like callus removal, cuticle care, or nail trimming — can accidentally cause small cuts. These breaks in the skin may increase the risk of bacterial infections and, in rare cases, blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

Services vary in their level of risk. For example, nail polish application poses minimal risk, while procedures involving sharp tools carry a higher potential for infection if proper cleaning and disinfection practices are not followed.

SEPH conducts a risk assessment based on information provided by the operator and observations made during the inspection. In this case, several practices were found that did not meet public health standards, including reuse of single-use tools and inadequate cleaning and disinfection of instruments.

Based on the findings, SEPH determined that notifying the public was appropriate to ensure individuals are aware of the potential risk of exposure and can take steps to protect their health.

Yes, SEPH inspects all personal services settings, including but not limited to nail salons, piercing and tattoo establishments at a minimum of once per year.

Yes. SEPH has worked closely with the operator of Ivy Beauty Bar to provide education and ensure that all required infection prevention and control practices are now in place. The operator has made the necessary improvements and is currently permitted to continue offering services safely.

• Health units are mandated to inspect premises and follow-up on complaints related to infection prevention and control (IPAC) to assess the risk of transmission of infectious diseases, and to determine the appropriate public health response. Deviations in IPAC practices, called an IPAC lapse, can lead to the transmission of infectious diseases.
• In some instances, particularly where there is an elevated risk of blood-borne infections, clients at risk due to an IPAC lapse are contacted directly (by letter) by the SEPH to inform them of the risk and action to take.
  • In circumstances where the SEPH is not able to receive a full client list, an IPAC lapse may be communicated through public notification rather than through client letters
  • There is risk of infection for any lapse, but we do not provide public notification or client letters in all cases – usually only for lapses involving invasive procedures where risk of infection relates to blood-borne diseases.
• SEPH is required to inform the public of IPAC lapses by posting them on our website.
• If you wish to submit a complaint about infection control practices a personal service setting, fill out the forms here: Infection Control Complaint Form.
• If you need more information about potential risk, contact 1-800-660-5853 extension 2222.