How To Avoid An Infection At The Nail Salon

Getting a mani-pedi seems to be getting very common nowadays, with nail salons cropping up everywhere you look. While beautiful nails are an important part of many womens' beauty regimes, it can be a hidden hotbed for infections. There are many documented cases of bacterial and fungal infections transmitted during nail treatments, and even deadly diseases such hepatitis B and disfiguring flesh-eating staphylococcus infections. 

If you can't live without your routine nail polish touch-up, here are some tips to ensure you stay safe and healthy when you visit your favorite manicurist:

1. Choose a salon based on their sanitation - 

Sanitation should be your first concern when choosing a salon of choice. In particular, pay attention to their cleaning procedures with regards to their tools, are they reusing their tools without any sterilization? Is the salon environment clean, or is it cluttered and dusty? Do they dispose of used buffers, files and cuticle sticks properly? Contaminated instruments are the number one cause of salon infections. For greatest safety and peace of mind, have your own set of tools that you bring with you when you visit the salon. 

2. Avoid the nail salon when you have a cut or wound - 

Many of the tools and equipment used at your nail salon are reused, so visiting the manicurist while you have an open wound or cut can increase your chances of infection. If in doubt, place a waterproof bandage over the affected area, decline a foot bath, and ask that the wound be avoided.

3. Beware the distracted or indelicate nail technicians - 

If your manicurist is chatting with the other employees while she handles your nails, she is likely to be less careful and could possibly injure you during the manicure or pedicure. Even a tiny injury could be an avenue for infectious diseases to be transmitted. Similarly, avoid the technicians who are hurried and uncareful, as they are more likely to wound the delicate skin around the nails. You should also be aware of the condition of the manicurists' hands - if she has sores or cuts on her hands, she can be easily infected and also pass on her infections to you.

4. Choose a salon which doesn't use piped foot baths - 

Foot baths that are fixed with piped water and drains are very hard to disinfect properly, so encourage bacterial and fungal growth. Foot tubs which are changed often, and are disinfected between uses are a safer bet. 

5. Visit your salon on a quiet day -

When the salon is at its' busiest, sanitation and efficiency may be sacrificed. Ask salon staff to recommend a day and time when business is slow - not only will they be happy to give you their best attention, but you can be more confident of clean equipment and proper handling when the staff are not harried and stressed. 

-- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. 
To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page, visit Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre's website at http://www.beverlywilshiremedical.com or drop him an email at cosmedmd@gmail.com