Millions
of women
visit
manicurists
to have
their
nails
professionally
manicured
every
year.
Unfortunately,
occasionally
the result
of having
manicures
is developing
nail fungus
or bacterial
infections
which
can not
only look
bad, but
may also
feel even
worse.
Although
HIV or
AIDS can
be transmitted
through
broken
skin that
occurs
during
a visit
to a nail
salon,
this is
extremely
rare.
What can
you do
to lower
your risk
of developing
an infection
or fungus,
or HIV/AIDS,
caused
by a manicure?
A few
simple
steps
before
your next
manicure
can significantly
lower
your risk
of developing
a painful
nail infection
or fungus,
or disease.
1.
Buy
your own
manicure
or pedicure
kit and
take it
with you
when you
visit your
manicurist.
Make sure
you clean
and disinfect
your manicure
kit after
each use,
even if
you are
the only
one using
your kit.
2.
Bring your
own nail
polish,
base coat,
and top
coats.Remove
your old
nail polish
at home,
or bring
nail polish
remover
with you.
3.
Check out
the salon
where you
have your
nails done.
Does it
look clean
and sanitary?
Is the trash
container
properly
bagged and
covered?
Is the floor
clean? Are
the manicure
tables kept
neat and
tidy? Is
there plenty
of good
light? Look
at the disinfectant
containers
and make
sure that
they are
clear, clean,
and free
of debris.
4.
If you are
not using
your own
manicure
kit: Are
all instruments
cleaned
and disinfected
after each
use? Does
the manicurist
use fresh,
clean instruments
on each
client?
Does the
manicurist
remove the
clean, disinfected,
instruments
from the
disinfectant
in front
of you?
Make sure
all files,
buffers,
and anything
else that
touches
you is freshly
clean before
you allow
the manicurist
to begin.
5.
Make
sure the
pedicure
tub is thoroughly
cleaned
and disinfected
after each
client.
The steps
where clients
typically
step with
bare feet
at spa pedicures
should be
cleaned
and disinfected
before each
client,
as well.
6.
Make
sure that
the manicurists
wash their
hands before
and after
each client,
and that
clients
wash before
their nails
are done.
7.
Never use
a towel
that is
not fresh
and clean.
8.
Make sure
that plenty
of clean,
disinfected,
nail brushes
are available
for each
client.
9.
Make sure
that a new,
unused,
Emory board
is used
for each
client.
10.
Consider
using cuticle
softener,
rather than
cuticle
scissors
to reduce
the risk
of broken
skin occurring.
If these
sanitary
precautions
are not
being taken
at your
nail salon,
don’t be
afraid to
tell the
shop owner
what needs
to change
and what
you expect
from a manicurist
and nail
salon. Contact
your state
cosmetology
board if
you develop
a nail infection,
fungus,
or other
condition
as a result
of visiting
a nail salon,
or if you
see unsanitary
practices.
