Hidden Dangers: Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Nail Salon
Friday, February 01, 2013 9:55AM
On today's show, our hidden camera investigation with the author of "Death by Pedicure," revealed all the dirty secrets and hidden health risks beauty salons don't want you to know. Here are the top 5 questions you should always ask your nail salon.
Filed Under: The First 15, As Seen On The Show
Comments
Thank you first of all for bringing such a serious topic to light. As I read some of the comments by people who claim to be well educated Nail Technicians you can see why problems exist. No file can be properly cleaned to the condition of New and allowning a client to keep or you keep a clients of files until next time only invites the spread and growth of bacteria between visits on the files. It is sad that most states do not Demand Nail Techs to use Disposable Files. As for the Autoclaves...they are allowable in most States but not Demanded in any. That is because the level of bacteria that is found in the salon is not that of a hospital level, and no one with a cut should ever be worked on in the salon thus there is no reason for that level of sanitation. If people continue to support and use those that are not educated and contiue to allow those that offer the "Best Price" to exist, then States will never fully understand the problem....people need to stand up and have these places closed down. There are ways to report them.
I want to thank you for bringing on a well informed Professional, like Dr Spaulding. Informing the public what to look for and what they should expect in a service is the best way to put a stop to the NSS ( Non Standard Salons ) that do not follow the rules and regulations that are in place. Being a well educated client is the best way to protect yourself. As Stated, there are many excellent Nail Technicians that practice at the highest levels of professionalism.
I would like to clarify one statement , that Texas required an Autoclave. They do have an autoclave listed as one of the approved methods, but it is not required. So even in Texas, Clients if you would like a Nail Technician using one, Please look for it in their Salon information. Or ask...As Dr. Spaulding stated . We will usually inform you of are practices before you ask... But we want to answer all your questions. We appreciate well informed clients.
I would like to view the entire show. If you have a link, I would appreciate it.
Thanks Again, for helping us to educate Nail Salon Clients.
I would like to thank you and your staff SO MUCH for having the balls to tell the truth about the nail industry, not just sensationalize the bad things and try to charge every nail tech in the industry with doing the same things. As a tech myself, I work hard to provide safe, sanitary service, stay educated, and on the cutting edge of the industry. The places that "other" show always highlight, while perhaps they are the majority, are not EVERYBODY. I have many, many friends across the nation who also work hard to maintain a safe, sanitary salons which provide knowledgeable, skilled services. You are the first to recognize that and provide us with a voice. Thank you so much.
Major kudos to Anderson Live for inviting an actual expert to be on your show. Dr. Spalding is well-known in the nail industry and I was pleased to see some factual and balanced reporting on this show. Nobody can argue that there are real and present dangers lurking in many nail salons, but as Dr. Spalding said, there are 'still good nail techs out there' but you won't find us in the discount nail shops. We are passionate, talented and educated and above all else we do not compromise when it comes to the health and safety of our clients.
A number of years ago I went to a new nail salon which had certificates on the wall regarding how sanitary the salon was. I had a manicure and went to Hawaii for a week of vacation. Upon arrival my finger tips had swollen and were very sensitive to the touch. I went to a doctor and discovered I had a severe infection and needed shots and medicine. I was unable to go into that beautiful ocean for the week of my stay. Never returned to that salon of course and am very, very careful since.
Also look it up, most states DO NOT allow your tech to keep a box of your files saved for when you come back. Period.
My nail files are disinfectable. They are washed with soapy water, rinsed, soaked, risned and air dried as per my state law. I always use a new sanding band on my e-file or a metal disinfected bit. I use one use throw away foot files for pedicures too. We have regulations to follow. Some states do not allow use of disinfectable nail files and you may only throw it away. You need to ask your nail tech what she is required to do and how she goes about it. The pedicure log. I hate to tell you that you can write anything you want on paper. It is very important to look around the shop, do you see if the tech is clean in general? If there is dust all over and it looks like the surrounding are dirty, chances are the tech is lazy with proper tool cleaning as well. You as the consumer have access and rights to read the rules and regulations for your state. Google your states ( cosmetology barbering and manicure boards ) and read through the pages. PS I use a basin tub, no jets for me. I would rather have the ease of cleaning and disinfection than worrying if there is skin in my jets. It takes time to clean the jet between clients. If you are just put right in the chair after someone else how clean are the pipes in that thing? Its 10-20 min depending on the instructions for the proper hospital grade disinfectant. Do not forget to wash your hands when you come into the shop.
thanks so much for a great segment!!!.....as a nail technician myself,i feel our industry has been given such bad news lately by other broadcasts,but when i took the time to watch Anderson Live,i felt such relief as to the "good news" our industry has not had,as of late.....thank-you Dr.Spalding on sharing with the public the "right" info!!...We, in this industry really do appreciate!!!
I have to say thank you for such a great segment. As a nail tech, I was bracing myself for yet another bashing of the industry by television! Your segment was informative, truthful and maintained the integrity of those of us who work in the field that are true professionals and care about our clients health. I am in Nova Scotia, Canada and in our province, you have to pass a provincial exam to acquire a license to practice. Also, if you run a salon it too has to be registered with the province so that they may come and inspect whenever they wish.
~Our clients get their own file,
~My salon sanitizes and disinfects the implements used,
~Sanitation and disinfection area is visible to the clients,
~We inform our clients about not shaving before a pedicure,
~We don't use jetted tubs when giving pedicures. They are done in a stainless steal basin that can be sanitized and disinfected,
Credos (blades) are not used for removing calluses,
~We educate our clients during their services so that if they should go abroad and need nail services what they should be looking for in a salon they visit.
~We participate in continuing education to stay up to speed on current practices and techniques,
~We carry liability insurance for our clients protection and for ours as well.
Again, I cannot thank you enough for providing the public with the correct information they need for personal safety while visiting salons, and thank you for not trashing the nail industry. Other television programming of late has painted the industry in a very unflattering light, which was avoidable and unnecessary.
I appreciate that Anderson Live chose to bring in and expert like Dr. Spalding, that is knowledgable and fair. He is a true professional and not out for attention and ratings. Thank you Anderson Cooper!
Nail infections from salons are certainly becoming an issue with the prevalance of fungus, molds and even staph on the rise in public places. Antimicrobial polishes aim to help prevent these organisms from causing an infection if you are exposed. These are becoming increasingly popular. There are a few brands out there but FioreRx is by far the best! This brand is designed by doctors and was originally sold only in doctors offices but is now available without a prescription. This will help reduce the risk of infection! Big Fan!!
As more people use nail salons for pedicures, the spread of toenail fungus is alarming and should be of concern. Ask anyone who has been infected by toenail fungus; it is a very difficult condition to cure. Toenail fungus is more than having ugly toes – it can become a significant health issue.
One strategy recommended by the doctors who developed Fiore Rx (FioreRx.com), a new anti fungal and antibacterial nail polish: when you go in for a pedicure, bring your own antifungal polish to protect your nails. Fiore Rx will create a sealant over the nail and will protect them from a potential nail infection!
Coincidently, Fiore Rx started a contest today to pick out their new line of spring colors, with winners receiving a years worth of free polish.
It was nice to hear Dr. Spalding mention that there are good nail techs out there, because there a very professional people in the beauty industry, and our industry teachs not only the proper protocol, the first thing you learn is about sanitization etc. in this day and age there is absolutely no reason for double dipping when waxing in fact if your client is a regular wax client there is no reason she cant have her own individual pot of wax with her name on the lid to be used only for her. Single use files used once!! if the client dosnt take it home it goes in the garbage.. Your client always washes her hands before sitting down at the maniciure table and the tech washes her hands tooo!!But....Listening to the lady who suffered the tragic pedicure i feel very bad for her and when things like that happen it makes our industy look bad, But i do believe there are alot of products out there that a very strong and obviously not being used correctly...There really is no reason to use such strong products, sometimes clients also have to also relize that your cant get results in one treatment... you could go on and on... but there are alot of beauty professionals out there who know who dr spalding is along with many other individuals who educate the beauty industry, and dont just care about pushing people through on and assembly line and if they are doing the assembly line care enough not only about the client,the industry,and their business, and most of all perform services on others as if we were recieving the service themselves... There are really good beauty professionals out there!!!
I have gone to the Vietnamese nail salons for years, I had read in a magazine a long time ago not to shave your legs, it just makes sense not to, all of the nail salons I go to in MI uses fresh tools out of a package and they are all state inspected. The woman that got so infected looks like she is very sensitive skin....I have never had any problems, thanks
Ginny
Hi Anderson. I have my own salon and I have given everyone of my customers their own files & file blocks. The only instrument I would charge them for would be any of the implements. Some want them & some don't. I have never had any problem in my salon what so ever & that makes me very happy. All of the pkgs that I give my cistomers stay in their own box @ the salon with their name on it. Nobody touuches them then. I made sure I covered all my basis before I opened my shop. I know for a fact there are only 2 salons including mine that do this but the other one charges their customers for everything that is needed. When it comes to doing any waxing, I never dble dip. That is why they sell these popsicle sticks or tongue depressures in packages. When it comes to pedicures I clean everything in front of my customers and when I am finished they also see me put them in the sterilizer so they know they are disinfected. I also use the sterilizer for my hands in front of all my customers. I also do make up in my salon and my customers have a choice of air brush make up where nothing touches them or hands on make up & I clean the make up before I put any on them so they can see that everything is sanitized & I also have a hold onto pallet I use, meaning, I put the amount on the pallet I think I need for them with only one instrument & if I need more I use a different tool that hasn't been used yet. I make sure that everything is sanitized at my salon. I always make sure the customer sees what needs to be done before the app't starts. I can have everything ready but then they wouldn't kow if it was sanitized or not so I do it with them there. A lot of the salons also use latex. We in Canada are not supposed to use latex. I myself have such an allergy to latex a doctor didn't believe me and I had to go through various testing for it before I could have surgery. This doctor was furious! I ended up waiting an extra 3 wks for the surgery. I made sure the Health Board came to my salon to check everything and I passed with flying colours. Even the curing lights for your nails or even artificial nails have changed here in Canada & there are many types we can't use now so I got rid of them. My curing lights are also cleaned in front of the customer and cleaned when finished. I also do eye lashes extensions at my salon. If my salon isn't impecable there would be no way I would do lashes on anybody. I myself think that if you are going to have a salon, do it right the 1st time & then you won't have any problems or any chance of being sued. I sleep very well knowing my clients are happy and always see how everything is done. When I saw the show, I thought it was a total disgrace about this. It really ticked me off. If you can't do it right, and follow all the guide lines, don't do it! I am not the only salon where I live, but I don't & won't cut costs when it comes to my clients. I have done this for quite a while and I wanted to give you an in sight of my salon and I don't have one client that would disagree with any of it. I am very proud of the work I have done and do and I am here to make people happier even for just a litle while. Thanks for having that segment on your show & I am glad I got to see it. You have a great show!!!