ABC News did a story on nail salons, and I thought I would pass along some information. There are germs everywhere, and if your nail tech isn't being careful, you could be in serious trouble. Here are some questions to think about the next time you visit your salon.
"Are You In A Safe Salon? - Athena Elliot
March 7, 2014 at 12:57am
• Did YOU and your technician wash hands before the nail service? According to the CDC, “Clean hands save lives”. Safe salons include universal precautions such as single use disposable latex-free gloves for every service
• Is the restroom clean with hot water, liquid soap and clean towels? A dirty restroom is a good sign the rest of the salon is not clean. Leave Now!
• Does the salon look clean in general? Dusty furniture, debris and nail clippings on the floor and food in in work area should make you think twice about having that mani & pedi.
• Are you communicating with your Nail Technician, are they not listening to you? There is more to having a good service than just picking out your nail color. If you can’t communicate, chances are you won’t be happy with your service. Miscommunication is a primary cause of nail salon infections and lawsuits from infections.
• Does the salon offer single-use disposable files, buffers and wooden sticks? Used and dirty nail files, sanding bands and buffers are a sign this salon is not following a top notch sanitation protocol. Insist on new files and buffers for every service or find a Safe Salon.
• Did you see where the tools, files & buffers were stored? If the tech pulled these items out of a dirty drawer or container, it’s time to get up and leave.
• Does the salon have a container with a jar of liquid disinfectant, in sight? Ask the technician to disinfect the tools by soaking them for 10 minutes in a mix of fresh solution.
• Does this salon use an autoclave to sterilize their metal nippers and nail clippers? Salons that use autoclaves will be happy to show you and tell you they use the highest level of sterilization. A lot of salons use sealed bags to give the appearance of sterilized tools. Look for a “change indicator” such as letters and arrows that change colors when the autoclave reaches the correct temperature. The package will appear shrink wrapped , resulting from heat and pressure. Sterilization is defined as the process where all the living microorganisms, including bacterial spores are killed. Sterilization is an absolute condition while disinfection is not.
• Did your technician offer to use a razor blade, cheese grater or a “shop sander” to remove the calluses on your feet? Get up and leave now while you still have feet you can use. Safe Salons offer single use foot files and will explain how long “callus treatments” should be on the skin before removed.
• Can you see a brand name or at least an identifying label on what’s being used on your hands or feet? This is your body!
• Are the foot basins clean? Safe Salons will explain in detail the sanitation and disinfection of the foot baths. They will show you a bottle that will clearly state the product is a hospital or medical disinfectant. For your protection, put your toes where no feet have gone before and choose a salon that offers single use tub liners
• Did you forget you had an infected cuticle or an open sore on your foot, when you showed up for services? Safe Salons will not work on clients with these conditions and will ask you to return when you are healed.
If your service was painful YOU are NOT in a Safe Salon."
I personally use disposable plastic liners for each pedicure, and sanitize all implements in ultronics hospital-grade disinfecting solution between clients. Each client gets a new sanding band, and nail file.
The bottom line is if you don't feel safe at a salon, don't sit down, and if you've sat down and start to feel uncomfortable, get up and leave.
"Are You In A Safe Salon? - Athena Elliot
March 7, 2014 at 12:57am
• Did YOU and your technician wash hands before the nail service? According to the CDC, “Clean hands save lives”. Safe salons include universal precautions such as single use disposable latex-free gloves for every service
• Is the restroom clean with hot water, liquid soap and clean towels? A dirty restroom is a good sign the rest of the salon is not clean. Leave Now!
• Does the salon look clean in general? Dusty furniture, debris and nail clippings on the floor and food in in work area should make you think twice about having that mani & pedi.
• Are you communicating with your Nail Technician, are they not listening to you? There is more to having a good service than just picking out your nail color. If you can’t communicate, chances are you won’t be happy with your service. Miscommunication is a primary cause of nail salon infections and lawsuits from infections.
• Does the salon offer single-use disposable files, buffers and wooden sticks? Used and dirty nail files, sanding bands and buffers are a sign this salon is not following a top notch sanitation protocol. Insist on new files and buffers for every service or find a Safe Salon.
• Did you see where the tools, files & buffers were stored? If the tech pulled these items out of a dirty drawer or container, it’s time to get up and leave.
• Does the salon have a container with a jar of liquid disinfectant, in sight? Ask the technician to disinfect the tools by soaking them for 10 minutes in a mix of fresh solution.
• Does this salon use an autoclave to sterilize their metal nippers and nail clippers? Salons that use autoclaves will be happy to show you and tell you they use the highest level of sterilization. A lot of salons use sealed bags to give the appearance of sterilized tools. Look for a “change indicator” such as letters and arrows that change colors when the autoclave reaches the correct temperature. The package will appear shrink wrapped , resulting from heat and pressure. Sterilization is defined as the process where all the living microorganisms, including bacterial spores are killed. Sterilization is an absolute condition while disinfection is not.
• Did your technician offer to use a razor blade, cheese grater or a “shop sander” to remove the calluses on your feet? Get up and leave now while you still have feet you can use. Safe Salons offer single use foot files and will explain how long “callus treatments” should be on the skin before removed.
• Can you see a brand name or at least an identifying label on what’s being used on your hands or feet? This is your body!
• Are the foot basins clean? Safe Salons will explain in detail the sanitation and disinfection of the foot baths. They will show you a bottle that will clearly state the product is a hospital or medical disinfectant. For your protection, put your toes where no feet have gone before and choose a salon that offers single use tub liners
• Did you forget you had an infected cuticle or an open sore on your foot, when you showed up for services? Safe Salons will not work on clients with these conditions and will ask you to return when you are healed.
If your service was painful YOU are NOT in a Safe Salon."
I personally use disposable plastic liners for each pedicure, and sanitize all implements in ultronics hospital-grade disinfecting solution between clients. Each client gets a new sanding band, and nail file.
The bottom line is if you don't feel safe at a salon, don't sit down, and if you've sat down and start to feel uncomfortable, get up and leave.
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