Salon Woes: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

I tend to avoid going to salons (nail and hair) on a regular basis – just not that kind of person – but I know plenty of men and women who do enjoy the luxury of having their toes buffed, nails polished, and hair done by stylists. So when, while perusing MSN Health & Fitness for a blog topic today, I happened upon an article titled Danger at your Local Salon, I paused to read the details…all I have to say (in the famously written words of Joseph Conrad) is: THE HORROR! THE HORROR! I knew that you could potentially contract a fungal infection from having your nails done (something I learned from a family member who experienced this very thing), but I had no idea the extent of what you could contract at a salon or of what could potentially happen while in the care of a nail technician or stylist.  I think I grimaced, gasped, and hid my eyes from the details of Danger at your Local Salon by Ginny Graves at Health Magazine. However, aside from stirring up images from the movie “Little Shop of Horrors*”, the article does offer some rather helpful information on how to keep you safe when visiting your nail or hair salon.  For the sake of brevity, I’ve picked only one of the many ways you may be maimed, but I suggest checking out the article in full for further details…it will definitely benefit you and your health.

    And now…bring on the screams…I kid, but in all seriousness, be weary of the instruments your technician is utilizing. Why? Well (cue the menacing sounding music), not only can they be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, but they can also pass along gnarly diseases such as staff infections.  That being said, I move onto the details…The Credo blade (a razor-like tool used to shave off cuticles - predominately found on the heel), is by far the most dangerous tool your technician could use and not only that, it’s illegal.  If you see this instrument, run! Flee from your cushioned seat! Or if you’re less dramatic, ask them to kindly not use this medieval sounding device on your feet.  According to Inspector Jacobs (interviewed for the article), “people have had tendons cut because a manicurist slipped while shaving a callus on the heel” (Graves: Pg. 2). Yikes! The Credo blade, though the most dangerous tool in a technician’s tool-kit, is not your only concern.  Tools such as, nail files, nail brushes, and cuticle instruments can carry fungal infections. Others, like cuticle cutters and scissors, have the potential of transmitting diseases like hepatitis B and C, and even HIV may be transmitted through microscopic drops of blood on instruments which have not been cleaned properly.  Now, I know that all sounds terrifying and believe me, it raised the hairs on the back of my neck, but there are ways you can remain safe and still enjoy the luxury of having your hands and feet pampered. 

 

Here’s how:

1.     Ask how the salon disinfects its instruments: “The most foolproof device is an autoclave, which sterilizes metal tools overnight.  At a minimum, implements should be disinfected between clients; they should be washed in soap and water, then soaked in disinfectant in a covered container” (Graves: Pg. 2).  The container should have the following words on it: bactericidal, fungicidal, germicidal, or virucidal.  Also, “clean tools should then be stored separately from the used ones. Items that can’t be disinfected (i.e. nail buffers, nail files, or nail brushes) should be thrown away immediately after being used” (Graves: Pg. 2).

2.     Know what tools will be used: Credo blade = a resounding NO! (That goes for the cuticle cutters as well). If your technician pulls out a Credo blade (aka razor-edge cutter) tell her/him to not use this device on your feet (or any other place they may be used for that matter).  According to the article, “using a Credo blade is actually considered minor surgery” (Graves: Pg. 2) – yeah, minor surgery isn’t something I’d think to have done in a nail salon, and neither should you.  Also, your cuticles are important and it’s not recommended that you have them trimmed off.  They protect you from microbes that could “seep under your nails with water and cause an infection” (Graves: Pg. 2), but if you simply cannot have cuticles showing, ask your technician to gently push them back or avoid this step completely and do it prior to going to the salon with your own tools.

3.     Be mindful of your own health conditions: If you are diabetic or if your immune system is compromised from something like chemotherapy, it is recommended that you avoid manicures and pedicures.  Due to the nature of your situation, you’re more likely to be susceptible to infections caused by the bacteria or microbes often found at nail salons.  

 

Phew…that’s a whole bunch of scary, but by taking those extra steps to protect yourself (i.e. asking questions, voicing concerns, declining certain salon treatments), you’ll be able to enjoy your manicure, pedicure, or hair treatment worry free…a luxury, I think, worth the effort of being cautious and conscientious, don’t you?  

 

*“Little Shop Horrors” is trademarked by The Geffen Company

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