You shouldn't shave before getting a pedicure, says Choi, as pedicurists do not care if you have hair on your legs. Also, shaving your legs makes you more prone to infection as newly shaved legs have open pores (and often tiny nicks you can't see) that are susceptible to infectious diseases. So don't be wary of showing off some stubble at the salon, she says.
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Some Tools Can't Be Sanitized
You can only put metal tools in the autoclave, says Choi. And as we stated before, only an autoclave kills a 100 percent of all bacteria and viruses. Nail salon tools like pumice stones, emery boards, nail buffers and foam toe separators need to be swapped out after each use to prevent the spread of bacteria. That's why you're best off bringing your own — just in case the salon doesn't follow this practice. If you see any white residue on a nail file, it means it's been used on someone else.
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Footbaths Aren't Your Friend
Whirlpool footbaths, though seemingly safe, are typically difficult to clean. Even though most nail salons disinfect their tubs, researchers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typically find bacteria that could cause boils and rashes in most according to The New York Times. And it's extremely hard to bust these salons with having microbe growth, as many times salons aren't linked to the infections because boils can take as long as four months after a pedicure to develop.
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You Don't Need Your Calluses Removed
Many salons will try and talk you into callus removal, as it is usually an additional service and charge. But Skyy Hadley, celebrity manicurist and owner of the As "U" Wish Nail Spa, says it is not always necessary. "If you're an athlete then you should never remove your calluses as these actually help level your performance. If you are not an athlete, you should have your calluses removed with a deep soak and scrub once they become thick and uncomfortable," she says.
If you do opt for callous removal, always choose scrubbing or a chemical remover. Never allow your nail technician to cut or shave the skin off your feet. "Cutting is cutting," and "not recommended," says Choi.
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Many Nail Technicians Are Working in Toxic Environments
According to AmyLing Lin, founder of the non-toxic nail salon Sundays Nail Studio in New York City, the nail industry is relatively unregulated, which can result in dangerous work environments for nail salon workers. Many nail salons select non-3-free, low-quality products due to their relatively low cost, and technicians are breathing in harmful chemicals like formaldehyde (which potentially causes skin cancer), on a daily basis. Lin says despite wearing face masks, it's very common that salon workers will experience headaches and nausea as a result from working in a chemical-ridden environment, and in extreme, long-term cases, these harmful ingredients can have negative effects on the reproductive system.
While new ventilation requirements went into effect October of 2016, many nail salons licensed before this date have an additional five years to comply (2021). So many nail salons can still legally expose their employees (and customers) to a toxic environment.
One thing you can do to help out? Request more non-toxic products, and remember, just because it's vegan doesn't mean it's non-toxic. "In general, 3-free and 5-free products are relatively safe," Lin says. "However, they might still cause headaches and dizziness because of ingredients such as camphor, and although this chemical happens to be vegan, it is still toxic."
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Your nails create big beauty salon business. Spending anywhere from $10 - $45 a pop for a manicure and $15 - $50 for a pedicure (not including tip), your weekly or monthly salon visits are costing you precious pampering dollars. No wonder it's a six billion dollar a year industry.
As you can imagine, the money you spend on these little luxuries is very important to the salon industry, meaning they will do whatever it takes to keep you coming back for more. While sometimes "whatever it takes" is going above and beyond excellent service, cleanliness and technique, it can also mean cutting corners and deceiving the salon layman in order to keep costs down and business booming.
And not to totally scare you, but what's supposed to be a luxurious treat can sometimes turn into your worst nightmare — think skin-eating diseases and infections. While yes, millions of women get manicures each year and don't experience any serious or life-threatening side effects, you'd be naive to believe that it could never happen to you. Nail salons that have been insufficiently cleaned or performed bad sanitization practices, as well as ones with inadequately trained nail technicians, could be a breeding ground for bacteria and a dangerous place for you to "unwind."
Which is why we went straight to the pros who know — nail technicians and a podiatrist in order to uncover the secrets nail salons don't want you to know. Read on to learn how to save money at the salon, your nails and possibly your life.
