Dangerous Manicures!

You can walk out of a manicure salon with what you went in for, perfectly glamorous nails and possibly something you definitely didn’t ask for – a nail infection.

When it comes to health concerns, it's wise to judge manicure salons or manicure stations in a hair salon or spa using the same cleanliness standards that you would expect to see in a restaurant: clean linens, employees, implements, floors, and bathrooms.

Negligence in any of these areas may be a clue to poor hygiene with clients. Even though most salons must meet criteria set by local health departments, standards vary and may be poorly enforced. Neglectful owners can put customers at risk of contracting contagious bacteria-borne infections like nail mold and fungus.

Most states require manicure salons to disinfect instruments using hospital-grade disinfectant such as Barbicide Plus. Ask to see a salon's sanitizing procedures: tools should be submerged in disinfectant and never used on a second client before re-sanitizing.

The manicurist should clean and dehydrate your nails before applying polish or extensions. Dehydration, complete drying, inhibits fungal infections since they thrive in moist conditions. Don't use extensions if you have a fungal infection; they'll aggravate it.

Nail fungus appears as a white area under the nail, as if the nail is pulling away from the nail bed. It starts at the tip and gradually works its way to the root. You should see a doctor if you suspect you have a fungal infection, and in the meantime keep it dry. Moisture aggravates it.

Another typical infection is nail mold. It shows up as a brownish or greenish growth on the nail. It's caused by moisture trapped between an extension and the natural nail, and should be filed off and allowed to grow out.

In addition to staying away from a salon with less-than-perfect hygiene, you can take steps to minimize trouble yourself. Remember not to clip cuticles: they're nails' defense against bacteria entering below the nail. Use Advanced Mira-Cuticle Vanishing Complex to control cuticle build-up and raggedness. Second, if your nails are long be careful not to let tips catch on things and lift from the bed; that's another doorway for bacteria.

If you suspect you've contracted an infection at a salon, notify the salon and your local Board of Health.