"Happy Hands & Happy Feet..?"
Your Nails Has Created a Big Beauty Salon Business! & Spending anywhere from $10 - $45 a pop for a manicure and $15 - $50 for a pedicure (not including tip), your weekly or monthly salon visits are costing you precious pampering dollars. No wonder it's a six billion dollar a year industry. So as you can imagine, the money you spend on these little luxuries is very important to the salon industry, meaning they will do whatever it takes to keep you coming back for more. While sometimes "whatever it takes" is going above and beyond excellent service, cleanliness and technique, it can also mean cutting corners and deceiving the salon layman in order to keep costs down and business booming.
And not to totally scare you, but what's supposed to be a luxurious treat, can sometimes turn into your worst nightmare -- think skin eating diseases and infections. While yes, millions of women get manicures each year and don't experience any serious or life-threatening side effects, you'd be naive to believe that it could never happen to you. Nail salons that have been insufficiently cleaned or performed bad sanitization practices, as well as ones with inadequately trained nail technicians, could be a breeding ground for bacteria and a dangerous place for you to "unwind." This post will show you how to save money at the salon, and your nails, and quite possibly even your life.,
#1). You Will Always Be At Risk!
Near Death By Pedicure., Because an estimated one million unsuspecting clients walk out of their chosen salon with infections -- bacterial, viral and fungal." And no matter which salon you go to, there is always a risk of infection. In research "75 percent of salons in the United States are not following their own state protocols for disinfections," which includes not mixing their disinfectant solutions properly on a daily basis, not soaking their instruments appropriately, and using counterfeit products to reduce costs (for example Windex substituted for Barbicide). And the problem is that there is no way to really "verify an instrument has been properly soaked and sterilized," without watching the process.
#2.) They Never Turn Any Customers Away!
Like most businesses, most nail salons won't turn away paying costumers. Which means that people who are sick, have nail infections or foot fungus are being worked on next to you instead of being referred to an appropriate medical professional.
The greatest danger of the nail salon is "The transmission of infection from one client to another." And with "millions of people whose immune systems are compromised by diabetes, HIV, cancer, hepatitis and other "infective organisms" booking services offered in nail salons, many are dangerously susceptible to infection, which is clearly a warning danger.
#3.) They Even Swap And Dilute Bottles!
Many salons are filling expensive lotion bottles with a cheap generic lotion. That way the salons can charge you more for the manicure by claiming to use prestige products, but in reality are just deceiving you.
Similarly, some salons will dilute nail polish bottles that have become clumpy from old age or from too much air exposure with nail polish remover. This action compromises the quality of the polish, which will make the formula chip easier once on your nails. To ensure the life of your color and to protect any possible germ spreading, tote your own bottles.
#4.) Because You Don't Any Blood, Doesn't Mean You Haven't Been Cut & Exposed!
Breaks in the skin can be microscopic or highly visible," because they can either come in with the client via "cuts, scratches, hangnails, bitten nails, insect bites, paper cuts, split cuticles or be created in the salon. Nail techs using callus-cutting tools and nail nippers, files, cuticle pushers, and electric burrs and drills, can and do scratch and nick skin," sometimes drawing blood and sometimes not. But just because no blood is visible, doesn't mean these "portals of entry" aren't susceptible to infective organisms.
If you've ever had your nails filed and it momentarily feels "too hot in the corner for even a second," then you've had the surface layer of your skin broken, and leaving it open for infection.
#5.) All Costs Are Not Mentioned And Are Not Included!
Some salons will try to keep certain added costs a secret, because they try and up charge you for "nail strengtheners" or "base coats", and won't tell you until it's time to check out. But a quality nail salon will include all costs in the advertised price of the service. So make sure to ask if all costs are included before soaking your hands or feet.
#6.) Not All Disinfecting Solutions Are 100% Percent Effective!
"Some infective microorganisms are easy to kill and some are not." And unfortunately, there has been "industry-wide confusion about the definition of the term "Sterilized." Many nail techs think their instruments are sterilized, when in fact, they "have no clue," because not all disinfectant solutions are powerful enough to kill all viruses. Therefore, when nail techs aren't informed of costumers' pre-existing medical conditions, they don't know how to properly disinfect for particular viruses. "These are medical situations. So manicure and pedicure-licensed technicians aren't trained for. It's not in their job description and isn't their fault as they are "neither schooled nor licensed to work in the presence of blood or to maintain a surgically sterile environment either.
#7.) An "Autoclave" Is The Only Safe Bet For Proper Sterilization!
Many salons use Barbicide, UV light "sterilizer" boxes, or other chemical solutions to disinfect their tools, which is legal and standard, but not totally effective at killing (all) bacteria and infection. The only solution that works (completely) is an autoclave,. a machine used to sterilize equipment and supplies using high pressure and steam, "which kills (100%) percent of (all) infective organisms. But currently, for now, only two states (Texas and Iowa), require autoclaves in nail salons by law. Which means that "less than one percent of salons" use them regularly.
So in order to find out if your salon is using an autoclave so that you're a 100 percent protected, is to first, ask the salon manager how they disinfect their tools, and then look for the color change pouches that the instruments are prepared in. The color changes on the bag once the correct sterilization conditions have been met. This color change indicates that the object inside the package has been processed. Autoclave pouches are therefore sealed and should be opened in front of you.
#8.) When You Should Not Shave First!
You shouldn't shave before getting a pedicure. Because pedicurists do (Not Care) if you have hair on your legs. Also, shaving your legs makes you more prone to infection as newly shaved legs have open pores (and often tiny nicks you can't see) that are susceptible to infectious diseases. So don't be wary of showing off some stubble at the salon.
#9.) Some Tools Just Can't Necessarily Be Sanitized!
You can only put metal tools in the autoclave. And as stated before, only an autoclave kills 100 percent of all bacteria and viruses. Nail salon tools like pumice stones, emery boards, nail buffers and foam toe separators need to be swapped out after each use to prevent the spread of bacteria. That's why you're best off bringing your own, just in case the salon doesn't follow this practice. If you see any white residue on a nail file, it means it's been used on someone else.
#10.) You Really Don't Necessarily Need To Have Your Calluses Removed!
Many salons will try and talk you into callous removal, as it is usually an additional service and charge. If you're an athlete then you should never remove your calluses as these actually help level your performance. If you are not an athlete, you should have your calluses removed with a deep soak and scrub once they become thick and uncomfortable. So if you do opt for callous removal, always choose scrubbing or a chemical remover. Never allow your nail technician to cut or shave the skin off your feet. "Cutting is still cutting," and is not recommended. Not to mention, the more you cut, the thicker the calluses will grow back too...
Near Death By Pedicure., Because an estimated one million unsuspecting clients walk out of their chosen salon with infections -- bacterial, viral and fungal." And no matter which salon you go to, there is always a risk of infection. In research "75 percent of salons in the United States are not following their own state protocols for disinfections," which includes not mixing their disinfectant solutions properly on a daily basis, not soaking their instruments appropriately, and using counterfeit products to reduce costs (for example Windex substituted for Barbicide). And the problem is that there is no way to really "verify an instrument has been properly soaked and sterilized," without watching the process.
#2.) They Never Turn Any Customers Away!
Like most businesses, most nail salons won't turn away paying costumers. Which means that people who are sick, have nail infections or foot fungus are being worked on next to you instead of being referred to an appropriate medical professional.
The greatest danger of the nail salon is "The transmission of infection from one client to another." And with "millions of people whose immune systems are compromised by diabetes, HIV, cancer, hepatitis and other "infective organisms" booking services offered in nail salons, many are dangerously susceptible to infection, which is clearly a warning danger.
#3.) They Even Swap And Dilute Bottles!
Many salons are filling expensive lotion bottles with a cheap generic lotion. That way the salons can charge you more for the manicure by claiming to use prestige products, but in reality are just deceiving you.
Similarly, some salons will dilute nail polish bottles that have become clumpy from old age or from too much air exposure with nail polish remover. This action compromises the quality of the polish, which will make the formula chip easier once on your nails. To ensure the life of your color and to protect any possible germ spreading, tote your own bottles.
#4.) Because You Don't Any Blood, Doesn't Mean You Haven't Been Cut & Exposed!
Breaks in the skin can be microscopic or highly visible," because they can either come in with the client via "cuts, scratches, hangnails, bitten nails, insect bites, paper cuts, split cuticles or be created in the salon. Nail techs using callus-cutting tools and nail nippers, files, cuticle pushers, and electric burrs and drills, can and do scratch and nick skin," sometimes drawing blood and sometimes not. But just because no blood is visible, doesn't mean these "portals of entry" aren't susceptible to infective organisms.
If you've ever had your nails filed and it momentarily feels "too hot in the corner for even a second," then you've had the surface layer of your skin broken, and leaving it open for infection.
#5.) All Costs Are Not Mentioned And Are Not Included!
Some salons will try to keep certain added costs a secret, because they try and up charge you for "nail strengtheners" or "base coats", and won't tell you until it's time to check out. But a quality nail salon will include all costs in the advertised price of the service. So make sure to ask if all costs are included before soaking your hands or feet.
#6.) Not All Disinfecting Solutions Are 100% Percent Effective!
"Some infective microorganisms are easy to kill and some are not." And unfortunately, there has been "industry-wide confusion about the definition of the term "Sterilized." Many nail techs think their instruments are sterilized, when in fact, they "have no clue," because not all disinfectant solutions are powerful enough to kill all viruses. Therefore, when nail techs aren't informed of costumers' pre-existing medical conditions, they don't know how to properly disinfect for particular viruses. "These are medical situations. So manicure and pedicure-licensed technicians aren't trained for. It's not in their job description and isn't their fault as they are "neither schooled nor licensed to work in the presence of blood or to maintain a surgically sterile environment either.
#7.) An "Autoclave" Is The Only Safe Bet For Proper Sterilization!
Many salons use Barbicide, UV light "sterilizer" boxes, or other chemical solutions to disinfect their tools, which is legal and standard, but not totally effective at killing (all) bacteria and infection. The only solution that works (completely) is an autoclave,. a machine used to sterilize equipment and supplies using high pressure and steam, "which kills (100%) percent of (all) infective organisms. But currently, for now, only two states (Texas and Iowa), require autoclaves in nail salons by law. Which means that "less than one percent of salons" use them regularly.
So in order to find out if your salon is using an autoclave so that you're a 100 percent protected, is to first, ask the salon manager how they disinfect their tools, and then look for the color change pouches that the instruments are prepared in. The color changes on the bag once the correct sterilization conditions have been met. This color change indicates that the object inside the package has been processed. Autoclave pouches are therefore sealed and should be opened in front of you.
#8.) When You Should Not Shave First!
You shouldn't shave before getting a pedicure. Because pedicurists do (Not Care) if you have hair on your legs. Also, shaving your legs makes you more prone to infection as newly shaved legs have open pores (and often tiny nicks you can't see) that are susceptible to infectious diseases. So don't be wary of showing off some stubble at the salon.
#9.) Some Tools Just Can't Necessarily Be Sanitized!
You can only put metal tools in the autoclave. And as stated before, only an autoclave kills 100 percent of all bacteria and viruses. Nail salon tools like pumice stones, emery boards, nail buffers and foam toe separators need to be swapped out after each use to prevent the spread of bacteria. That's why you're best off bringing your own, just in case the salon doesn't follow this practice. If you see any white residue on a nail file, it means it's been used on someone else.
#10.) You Really Don't Necessarily Need To Have Your Calluses Removed!
Many salons will try and talk you into callous removal, as it is usually an additional service and charge. If you're an athlete then you should never remove your calluses as these actually help level your performance. If you are not an athlete, you should have your calluses removed with a deep soak and scrub once they become thick and uncomfortable. So if you do opt for callous removal, always choose scrubbing or a chemical remover. Never allow your nail technician to cut or shave the skin off your feet. "Cutting is still cutting," and is not recommended. Not to mention, the more you cut, the thicker the calluses will grow back too...
RSS Feed