Introduction
Taking care of your nails is an important part of your beauty regime. But, there are more important things like safety when you are taking care of your nails. You may be planning to visit a salon for conditioning your nails. There are various risks of infection at a salon. You may come in contact with nail fungus, plantar warts, bacterial infection and at times, even herpes. Here are a few simple safety tips that can come handy while you head to the nail salon the next time.
1. Speak up
At no point during your pedicure and manicure should the procedures be painful or stinging. If you feel pain, speak up immediately and let your technician know about it. She may stop the procedure and ensure that it does not hurt you.
2. Cutting cuticles
The cuticles are meant for protecting your nails from bacterial infections. So do not cut them off. Avoid using sharp tools. The best thing you can do is to push them back a bit using an orange stick with a cotton head.
3. Take your tools
The current trend is to take your own tools to the salon to avoid all kinds of troubles. First, purchase a set of nail tools for yourself. They may contain steel and non-steel instruments such as buffers, files, orange ticks, brushes etc. The steel devices should be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide. If you have wooden tools it is better to use them only once. Orange sticks are porous and harbor bacteria easily. So it is better not to use the one found in the salon.
4. Tools to avoid at the salon
Some of the tools used in the salon are used for cutting the cuticle. These can be dangerous because they can cut out the skin and allow harmful bacteria to enter your body through the cuts. Do not use tools like razors, credo blades, cuticle and callus cutters.
5. Cleanliness in the salon
When you visit a salon, the first thing you have to do is to look around. If you find debris, dust and clippings on the floor and the corners, then it is better to look for another salon that is clean and tidy. Look out for the licenses of the salon and the technicians. The salon license is usually displayed on the wall.
6. Check the sterilization techniques
Most of the salons use the UV sterilizers to sterilize their tools. However, they are not very effective in destroying the bacteria. The best sterilization technique is using a disinfectant with a label ‘tuberculocidal’, it is a turquoise color liquid kept in glasses at various work stations. Check the name of the disinfectant used if you are concerned about the safety. Otherwise, consider doing the pedicure and manicure at medi-spas where there are physicians to oversee the procedures.
7. Foot baths
Most of the customers are concerned about their safety while using the foot baths. Some salons ensure that the foot baths are cleaned thoroughly after every use. However, most of the experts feel that cleaning the foot baths alone after every use, is not effective. There may be some debris caught in between the mesh under the drain. They suggest the use of Hefty bags or plastic liners in the foot baths. The best way to clean the foot bath is by using hot and soapy water. After cleaning, a disinfectant should be sprayed as well.
8. Complaint
If you feel that the nail salon in your area is not following the safety rules as per the state cosmetology licensing board, then you can file a complaint against the salon.
The best way to prevent infections from a salon is to bring your own tools, avoid using sharp tools for cutting away the cuticles as they can cause the entry of bacteria through the cuts. Also avoid shaving your legs before the appointment. If you are worried about anything, do not feel shy, speak up.