The Hidden Dangers of Cheap Nail Salons

You read the colorful ads advertising low cost manicures. Eager to save money, you book an appointment at one of the skillfully advertised nail salons. Are the extra savings really worth the risks? Unfortunately, some cheap nail salons can cause more problems than they remedy. There have been reports of patrons at cheap salons contracting serious infections from nail equipment that hasn't been properly cleaned and the reuse of equipment that's meant to be disposed of after use. There's no doubt about it, cheap nail salons can be risky business when it comes to your health. What are some of the hidden dangers lurking in the shadows of nail salons?

Use of unsanitary tools

Some salons sterilize their nail equipment in a machine called an autoclave while others use chemicals to remove bacteria and germs. If proper procedure isn't followed during the sterilization steps, the risk of a bacterial or fungal infection increases. There are also items such as emery boards that need to be discarded after a single use. Some cheap nail salons try to save money by reusing these items on more than one patron. This potentially puts you at risk for a serious bacterial or fungal infection.

Use of untrained personnel

Many cheap nail salons hire personnel with inadequate experience and training. When a nail attendant isn't properly trained, there's a risk of creating small nicks along the edges of the nail beds when performing a manicure which can increase the risk for infection, particularly if instruments aren't as sanitary as they should be.

Exposure to potential toxins

Many people aren't aware of the hidden dangers of exposure to nail products. They include a variety of ingredients that have been deemed probably carcinogens. These include formaldehyde and toluene. Low levels of exposure to these chemicals may not be a problem if they occur on an infrequent basis, but if you get frequent manicures at cheap salons without good ventilation, you could be increasing your risk of developing cancer or other respiratory ailments. Often very little effort is made to limit exposure to these agents by providing good air flow and ventilation.