7 Salon No-No's

By Ginny Graves
August 03, 2010
Istockphoto (all)
Possible dangers to be aware of when receiving salon treatments.
Start Slideshow

1 of 8

Safety at the salon

There’s some pretty hair-raising stuff going on where we get our haircuts, manicures, pedicures, body waxes, and more. Check out these seven quick ways to size up your salon.
Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

No license

“The salon’s license should be displayed by the front desk, and each aesthetician’s license should be posted at her station,” says James Jacobs, a supervising inspector with the California Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology. “In a recent San Francisco sweep, we found license violations in 19 of the 20 shops we inspected.” A current license means workers have been trained in their craft and have received appropriate health-and-safety training.  

3 of 8

Furry friends (not) welcome

“They’re cute—but animals can cause unsanitary conditions in a salon,” Jacobs says.
Advertisement

4 of 8

Dirty bathrooms

"The bathroom can give you a good indication of the priority a salon places on cleanliness," says Zoe Draelos, MD, editor of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. "If they’re out of paper towels or soap, it’s a red flag." More hints: the sinks are scummy and the floor is covered with hair or hair clippings.

5 of 8

Tools of the trade

Warning sign: Tools are sticking out of disinfecting liquid. “Scissors, clippers, combs, and brushes should be totally submerged,” Jacobs says. “Any part that’s sticking out is still dirty.”

6 of 8

Skipping hand-washing

"We all have bacteria—sometimes staph—on our hands," says Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine. "Hand-washing can cut down on germ transmission between clients."
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

Shared towels

Istockphoto (all)
Towels and robes can carry germs, especially if they’re damp, Dr. Sekula-Gibbs explains. They should be laundered and used just once.

It smells funny. Salons should be well-ventilated so chemical odors can escape and fresh air can circulate," Dr. Sekula-Gibbs says. Strong fumes can give you a headache. 
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Popular in Beauty

All Topics in Beauty

Advertisement