Safety Awareness for the Consumer

When searching for a safe nail salon for appointing a pedicure, a careful consumer should call first and ask questions. Following are some suggested questions.

Is an autoclave used for sterilization of your metal implements? An autoclave provides the only guarantee that an implement will not transfer disease.

Does your nail technician use gloves during her treatments? A technician who wears gloves during her pedicures is one who cares about providing aseptic services.

Does your nail technician have advanced training? Advanced training is available for pedicurists that will support skills in aseptic techniques.

Does your nail technician use a credo blade on calluses? Credo blades are illegal for pedicurists to use in most states as they are the source of many infections and damage to the feet of clients.

All the answers should be yes except for the last one which is no.

    These questions will provide you basic information for making your choice of a salon. Then, there are observations a wise visitor makes when entering a salon/spa that will help determine his or her safety. It is also important to ask the person that does your services some questions. If you are not comfortable with the appearance of the surroundings or you feel uncomfortable with the technician’s answers, you might consider another facility.

Consumer "First Glance" Manicure-Pedicure Checklist Guidelines:

1. Are the pedicure/manicure work station areas, pedicure areas and common areas generally neat and clean? Are the bathrooms immaculate? When you arrive, the salon should be obviously and visibly clean. These conditions can give you an indication of the disease prevention habits of the overall establishment.
 
2. Do displayed state license pictures match the name on the license? Many states are having problems with invalid licensees who are performing dangerous services.

3. Does the nail technician have advanced training certificates? If you don’t see any displayed, ask if any were attended and what they were.
  
4. Did you fill out a detailed health questionnaire prior to the service? If no health history is taken prior to the service, this salon is not safe guarding their clients from harm.

5. Does the nail technician examine your feet prior to putting your feet in the water and ask relevant health questions concerning your health to clear you for a pedicure? If you have any problems with your feet or any health conditions that you feel might have an effect the performance of a pedicure, please tell your technician aware. Sometimes, the nail technician will recommend that you see a podiatrist or family doctor before doing a pedicure or manicure.

6. Ask the nail technician how they clean the pedicure tub (whirlpool), and how often?
For your safety, the tubs must be cleaned, including the jets, between all clients and at the end of the day.

7. Does the nail technician use obviously clean implements that are disinfected after each client? Ask the method for sterilizing the tools. Autoclave sterilization is the only guaranteed safe method.

8. Were the metal implements including drill bits removed from a sealed packet in your presence? Your pedicure professional should present a sealed packet of instruments and open it in your view. A color tab should change from pink to dark gray or brown if the pack has reached proper temperatures. If they do not, find a salon that genuinely sterilizes.

9. Are instruments and supplies that cannot be disinfected such as certain files, orangewood sticks, gloves and other items disposed after every client? Some salons give the client their file as a matter of policy.

10. Is your nail technician using the proper tools for your pedicure? Most states do not allow the use of credos as they are considered dangerous in the hands of non-medical personnel.

11.   Was a freshly laundered towel or new disposable towel with plastic lining used during your service?

12. Did the manicurist/pedicurist wash his or her hands with soap and water before touching your hands/feet? It is also recommended that a pedicurist use gloves for both the clients and their protection.

An additional general recommendation for your service safety:

Consumers should not shave their legs or have any open wounds on the legs or feet before the pedicure. Shaving the legs, especially the day of a pedicure, may produce very small nicks in the skin that can allow bacteria to enter during a soak and can be a source of infection.

Following these guidelines and recommendations will help give the consumer a safer pedicure. Sometimes, more effort and education by the nail technician was required in order to accomplish this, and that may be reflected in the cost. But isn’t your safety and piece of mind worth it?