7 Salon No-No's
By
Ginny Graves
August 03, 2010
Istockphoto (all)
Possible dangers to be aware of when receiving salon treatments.
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Safety at the salon
Thereās 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.
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No license
āThe salonās license should be displayed by the front desk, and each aestheticianās license should be posted at her station,ā says James Jacobs, a supervising inspector with the California Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology. āIn a recent San Francisco sweep, we found license violations in 19 of the 20 shops we inspected.ā A current license means workers have been trained in their craft and have received appropriate health-and-safety training. Ā
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Furry friends (not) welcome
āTheyāre cutebut animals can cause unsanitary conditions in a salon,ā Jacobs says.
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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 theyāre out of paper towels or soap, itās a red flag." More hints: the sinks are scummy and the floor is covered with hair or hair clippings.
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Tools of the trade
Warning sign: Tools are sticking out of disinfecting liquid. āScissors, clippers, combs, and brushes should be totally submerged,ā Jacobs says. āAny part thatās sticking out is still dirty.ā
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Skipping hand-washing
"We all have bacteriaāsometimes staphāon 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."
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Shared towels
Towels and robes can carry germs, especially if theyāre 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.Ā
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.Ā