Visiting a nail salon should be a relaxing experience, but lurking beneath the surface can be hidden health risks. Nail salons can harbor bacteria and germs, turning a simple cuticle trim into a potential fungal infection if proper hygiene isn’t followed. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, bacterial, fungal (like athlete’s foot, nail fungus, and yeast), and viral infections are all potential hazards.
To ensure a safe and healthy salon visit, pay close attention to the salon’s environment and sanitary procedures. Here are some key indicators of a reputable salon:
* **Tool Sanitization:** Observe how nail tools such as clippers, cuticle scissors, and files are sanitized. Heat sterilization or chemical sterilization using a germicide and fungicide are the gold standards. Some salons go the extra mile by using freshly unwrapped nail files for each client.
* **Pre-Service Scrub:** Insist on a thorough nail cleaning. Your nails should be soaked and scrubbed with soap before any service begins. Also, check that the soap container itself is clean.
* **Cleanliness and Licensing:** A neat, organized salon speaks volumes about its hygiene practices. Verify that the salon operates with current licenses and that all technicians are properly licensed and trained.
* **Polish Hygiene:** Consider the cleanliness of nail polish. Countless individuals use the same nail polish bottles. Ben Friedman, president of BTG Cosmetics, emphasizes that “Sanitizing instruments is only part of the solution. Using a clean, fresh bottle of nail polish will ensure your nails are kept sanitary. Nail polish should be treated just like a toothbrush, and I certainly wouldn’t want to share my toothbrush with anyone.”
Some salons now offer services that include a new, unopened bottle of polish that the client gets to take home, ensuring maximum hygiene and allowing for easy touch-ups.