State Boards Warns of Dangers in the Nail Salon

State Boards Warns of Dangers in the Nail Salon

The nail salon is somewhere people go to unwind and relax, but it can also be a dangerous place! Because the tools used in a nail salon regularly come into contact with customers’ skin and nails, they can easily spread infection between customers if not sanitized properly.

In a recent newsletter, the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology warned consumers about the possible health hazards of the nail salon. It’s an important reminder to licensed manicurists, or anyone interested in getting their nail technology license, that disobeying the laws could mean harming their clients and their business.

It’s the job of the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to oversee and enforce the state laws governing the nail industry to ensure the health and safety of the customers.

The board oversees the licensing procedure to guarantee that the men and women who are getting their nail technology licenses have the proper training and enforces the standards inside the nail salon by doing inspections and levying fines against salons that are not following the proper procedures.

Here are some of the most common violations, according to the State Board’s newsletter, and what you should be looking out for:

• Dirty tools that have been left in open air or used repeatedly between services have been known to cause serious bacterial and fungal infections.
• State Board says: Tools that can be disinfected, such as nail clippers and metal cuticle pushers, must be cleaned with soap or detergent and water and then completely immersed in an EPA-registered disinfectant.
• Pedicure baths can be difficult to sterilize, making them breeding ground for mycobacterium that can cause boils and warts.
• State Board says: Any foot basin that holds water needs to be cleaned with liquid soap and water, and then disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-liquid disinfectant between customers, at the end of each day, and at the end of each week.
• Some salons use illegal tools and procedures, such as the “foot razor.” The blade is used to remove calluses, but can cut the skin and transfer blood between customers if not cleaned properly.
• State Board says: No razor-edged tool or other device can be used to remove calluses. Callus removal should not be performed by a nail technician, but rather a qualified medical professional.

You can read the full article on the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology’s website.

If you’re interested in becoming a licensed nail technician in the state of California, the nail industry offers many exciting job opportunities!  However, it’s absolutely essential that you receive the proper training. To learn what to look for in a potential nail technician school, read 3 Things To Consider About Nail Technician School.

Salon Success Academy is a beauty school in California that offers a nail technician program at several of its locations throughout the Inland Empire. The program is affordable and can be completed very quickly! To learn more about the nail technician program, fill out the form or call 1-877-987-HAIR (4247).