The Potential Dangers of Choosing the Wrong Salon
The Food and Drug Administration does not scrutinize personal care products in the same way they do medications. As long as a product is safe when the user follows manufacturer directions, companies can sell it to the public. This means it is important to know about the various precautions to take when choosing care products and salons.
Potential Risks of Poor Salon Treatment
In general, individuals should seek medical attention if they visit a salon and suffer an abrasion or cut that will not heal. Skin abnormalities, including rashes should also receive treatment as soon as possible.
Be Aware of Ingredients
Certain ingredients are restricted. For instance, the concentration of formaldehyde in nail products must be less than 3 percent.
Methyl methacrylate is not allowed because it can cause fungal infections and nail deformities. Other prohibited ingredients include chlorofluorocarbon propellants, methylene chloride and bithionol.
Many salons do not disclose product ingredients to clients unless they sell them for use at home. The client usually has no idea what is in the product used on the nails, skin or scalp. A nail technician who is not careful using a nail file can expose skin to chemicals.
Some infections are difficult to detect and require diagnosis by a qualified medical professional.
Contaminated Water
Failing to use fresh water for a pedicure can cause health problems. If a nail technician punctures the skin with a tool that has been in contact with blood infected by hepatitis C, the virus can be transmitted.
Dangerous Chemicals
Salons that use products from foreign manufacturers run the risk of purchasing gels or acrylics containing methyl methacrylate. This dangerous chemical can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory system. A gel with a pungent smell may contain this chemical and should serve as a warning sign to salon clients.
Skin Cancer
UV lamps in tanning beds and for drying gel manicures are linked to an increase in the risk of skin cancer. Customers can seek out a salon that uses LED dryers. Shellac is a hybrid gel manicure product that should only be applied by a licensed technician.
Using only cosmetic products containing organic ingredients can reduce the risk of health issues associated with visiting a salon, and visiting salons with licensed practitioners will ensure that all precautions are taken when it comes to health.
Fortunately, there are accredited colleges like Evergreen Beauty College that are committed to training future salon owners to operate a proper establishments.
