SPECIAL REPORT: Nail salon safety

AUGUSTA, Ga. - From manicures to pedicures, both women and men venture into nail shops looking to improve their appearance, many not realizing the potential health risks. Hundreds of citations are written every year by the Georgia State Board fining nail salons for sanitation and licensing issues. Nail technology students at Kenneth Shuler Schools of Cosmetology are prepping for nail competitions and cleanliness is part of the winning formula. "You want your clients to know you're looking out for their well being and also your well being," instructor Kathy King, said. King says she's seen the quest for beauty turn ugly. "We had a student come in who had preferred to go to another salon and had a serious foot infection from a pedicure it was actually oozing," King said. Here are some things you can look for to make sure your trip to the nail salon is a safe one: 1. Tools with razors, like callous shavers, should never be used. 2. Pumice stones and emery boards can't be sanitized, making them unsafe to share between customers. Rules on cuticle nippers vary by state. King says, "nipping the cuticles is illegal in South Carolina." But the tool is allowed in Georgia salons. A soothing foot bath is relaxing, but it can also be a breeding ground for bacteria if not properly sanitized. Make sure the nail tech cleans the tub and changes the water between each customer. Sanitizing is more than spraying and wiping. For most tools, it’s a science. "Once you put dirty utensils into the Barbicide, it's contaminated. You must clean them first with soap and water, rinse, dry, then, put them in the Barbicide and follow manufacturer’s directions on timing," King explained. Experts say whether you're rushing in for a fill-in or a mani-pedi, take time to make sure you're safe rather than sorry. State inspectors check salons with reported complaints and issue fines for licensing or health violations. If you see a violation, click here to report it to the Georgia Secretary of State's Office.

 

In South Carolina, contact click here S.C. Board of Cosmetology.

 

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