Health hazards are present in salons, but knowing the risks can help you prevent nail infections and other problems. Both customers and nail technicians face health hazards during salon visits. The main hazards in nail salons are fungal infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or yeasts. These infections spread easily through contaminated instruments or foot baths that are not properly cleaned. Additionally, manicurists can spread infection if they do not sanitize their hands and station between clients or if products become contaminated.
Infected nails may have a yellow or discolored appearance and become thick. These nail infections are not typically harmful to one’s overall health, but they can persist if not treated. Fungal infections require oral medication for treatment, and there is no immediate solution for improving the appearance of the affected nail until it grows out. When getting a manicure or pedicure, it is advisable to either find a UV Tool Sterilizer or bring your own tools. This precaution is important because using unsanitary tools and being exposed to unsanitary conditions during the nail care process can lead to small, bleeding cuts. These cuts have the potential to expose customers to hepatitis B (known as “the silent killer”) and HIV infection, although such cases are uncommon.
It is crucial to maintain cleanliness in a salon to prevent health hazards. Before your appointment, make sure the salon follows proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures. E-coli has been found on nail salon tools due to clients who do not wash their hands after using the restroom. Therefore, it is important to check if both the salon and your manicurist have appropriate licensing and inspections. Also, inspect your manicurist’s hands for cuts, scrapes or dirtiness; if present, consider finding another salon. Additionally, observe how instruments, appliances, and foot baths are cleaned and disinfected while ensuring that the solution used is fresh.
The pedicure chair and tub need to be cleaned with an antibacterial solution after each client, while instruments should undergo sterilization with ultraviolet light or cold sterilization. It is ineffective to simply wipe the instruments with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Apart from properly cleaning their tools, manicurists must also make sure to clean their workstations between clients. This entails using clean paper towels and a cleaning solution like Lysol or Clorox to wipe down the work area, preventing the transmission of germs and bacteria.
To ensure your personal health during a salon visit, it is recommended that if you visit salons frequently, you purchase your own set of manicure instruments. Additionally, customers should ask the manicurist to push back their cuticles instead of clipping them, as cuts increase the risk of infection. Wearing acrylic nails during salon services also poses a risk of infection, as long-term wear can cause nail thinning. It is important to avoid allowing the manicurist to file and thin the surfaces of your nails for the application of acrylic nails.
For safety reasons, it is advisable to ask your manicurist to use disposable applicators when applying creams, lotions, and other products. If you develop any infections, promptly inform both the salon and the State Board of Cosmetology.
Multiple studies and surveys have highlighted the hazards of manicures and pedicures. These findings underscore that the toxic substances used in these procedures not only endanger clients but also pose a significant risk to salon workers who regularly come into contact with these harmful chemicals.
There are approximately 350,000 individuals employed in nail salons and other personal care services throughout the United States.
The estimates provided cover a predominantly female workforce, with a significant proportion being minority workers (80% are overworked, underpaid, and Vietnamese). Nail salon employees face the risk of exposure to various chemicals such as acrylates, solvents, and biocides in the form of dusts or vapors. Although there have been limited studies on this matter, these studies have shown increasing concerns regarding potential health consequences for nail technicians. These consequences include respiratory problems, neurological issues, musculoskeletal disorders, and other ailments. Nevertheless, by properly handling these contaminants, it is possible to minimize their harmful effects and prevent them from entering the breathing zone.
Storing chemicals in sealed containers and disposing of them in covered metal trash cans is crucial. This practice prevents the release of fumes and odors from used applicators. To minimize airborne vapors, salons should install a ventilation system that recirculates contaminated air through a filter before releasing it back into the salon. When applying artificial fingernails, technicians must keep dispensers closed and wear face masks, long sleeves, and gloves to safeguard their skin against potential irritants and allergens.
In the European Union, chemicals such as DBP are not allowed in nail products. There are also stringent regulations on the use of formaldehyde and toluene. However, nail technicians in the United States have been exposed to DBP because it is present in polishes, topcoats, and basecoats. The presence of DBP in their urine samples confirms this exposure. Phthalates are known to pose reproductive risks and cause birth defects. They also harm various organs in animals, including the testes, prostate gland, epididymis, penis, and seminal vesicles.
Recent scientific research has linked the health of nail technicians to two hazardous substances known as the “toxic trio.” These substances are formaldehyde, often found in disinfectants and linked to cancer and asthma, and toluene, present in nail polish and associated with health problems like anemia, decreased blood cell count, liver and kidney damage, impairment of short-term memory, and harm to fetuses. Additionally, manicures and pedicures involve the use of other toxic chemicals such as ethyl methacrylate and oxybenzone.
During a manicure, your nails, skin, hands, and arms absorb harmful chemicals which are then stored in your body’s fatty tissues. When nail polish chips and becomes brittle, the chemical DBP is released and can come into contact with your skin. This means that both nails and direct skin contact while washing hands can result in the absorption of DBP. Studies have found that water-soluble components can penetrate the skin even during brief but frequent periods of contact.
It is recommended to use a non-toxic alternative for nail polishes, treatments, and removers that contain harmful chemicals in order to prioritize safety and health. Although many companies have ceased using toxic ingredients, there are still some that persist in doing so. While the chemicals used in nail polish are not illegal, it is prohibited to label them as toxin-free. Buffing your nails is ultimately a healthier option for improving their appearance by achieving a smooth and glossy finish.
Additionally, it can benefit your nails by increasing circulation, resulting in stronger and longer nails. Moreover, it prevents chipped nail polish. It is crucial to acknowledge that not all nail salons and spas are equal. Even though they may appear similar in terms of appearance, employee salaries, and prices, there are significant variances. Ultimately, our health and lives can be affected by toxic exposures, hazardous practices, and unsanitary conditions we expose ourselves to while deciding whether or not to pamper ourselves.
