At TOP Nails, the health and safety of both clients and employees is of the very highest priority. This is achieved through the use of medical-grade autoclaves and ventilation systems, as well as a no-compromise policy on maintaining the highest sanitary standards. TOP Nails does, and does not do, certain things to ensure client safety and satisfaction.
Best Healthy Nail Salon
Beauty care cannot be done overnight. It’s a long-run period requiring not only perseverance, time, and money but also meticulousness in the cleaning process. If you go to a nail salon where tools and implements have not been properly disinfected, you are at risk for picking up infection. The two biggest troublemakers are microbacteria infections and …show more content…
staph infections; other issues include fungal infections.
The first and the most important thing is the salon and individual workstations must be totally clean. The towel at the table should be replaced with a fresh, clean one after every client, and all implements to be used in the service should also be disinfected by hospital-grade disinfection machine. Files and buffers that are not disinfectable should be replaced with new and unused ones. Most salons will meet minimum standards and at least disinfect their tools. By the way, disinfect means: “using a product which has been registered with the EPA and contains the term ‘disinfectant’.” This means it is bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal, all good things as far as you are concerned. The teeniest tiny abrasions or open wounds can pose a risk and even recently shaved or waxed legs can allow a microorganism to enter through the skin. During the service, if your cuticle is cut or a callus shaved down, small abrasions in the skin can let bacteria in. They should be disinfecting before at least 10 minutes, which is the appropriate dwell time for the product to effectively wipe out that bacteria.
Using barbicide, UV light "sterilizer" boxes, or other chemical solutions disinfect their tools, which is legal and standard, but not totally effective at killing all bacteria and infection.
The only solution is using an autoclave, a machine used to sterilize equipment and supplies using high pressure and steam.
According to the growing concern about the quality of nail salons, a common question here is “What are the best salons doing?” The best salons are using a three-level approach to cleanliness: sanitize, which is removing debris and cleaning; disinfect all hard surfaces; and sterilize all implements.
What is sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing?
The lowest level is sanitation, which significantly reduces the number of disease-causing microorganisms considered to be disease-causing, considered to be safe by regulating public health bodies. A sanitary, clean environment is one of the most important features when considering nail treatments such as manicure or pedicure at nail salons. The equipment that salon technicians use throughout the day comes in contact with many customers. If it is not properly cleaned on a regular basis between each and every customer, the technician unwitting run the risk of getting a bacterial or fungal infection. If they have open cuts or sores during treatment, the risk is even higher for the transmission of diseases when exposed to unsanitary
equipment.
Disinfecting is the middle level which destroys microorganisms and most disease causing pathogens on non-living surfaces and pre-cleaned surfaces. The disinfection process must be follow the manufacturer’s instructions very carefully and being consistent. It needs to be a habit, as much a part of each service as caring for the nails. Currently, almost consumers are seeing things on the news. Storing implements in a dusty UV box or spritzing disinfectant on an implement and wiping it with a used towel will be noticed by savvier and increasingly concerned clients.
And the highest level of decontamination is sterilization, which completely destroys all living organisms on an object or surface.
Sanitized nail care tools and products used by TOP Nails
Buffers, nail files and pumice stones: To further ensure optimal sanitary conditions, all pedicure tubs are protected by disposable liners, and the tubs themselves are thoroughly disinfected after each use. Buffers, nail files and pumice stones are never reused between multiple clients
Cleaning and sanitizing bits: An essential step is to remove acrylic dust and residue build-up within the grits or flute cuts on your bits. The bits must be cleaned out periodically to remain sharp.
Metal bits: After each use, clean the bits to remove debris from the surface either by washing with a brush and soap and water, or by immersing in acetone for five to 10 minutes. Note that acetone is not a disinfectant; it is a solvent used for cleaning. After cleaning, completely immerse the bits in a liquid disinfectant that is approved for use by their state for the time required on the label. Silicone bits: Remove the portion of the bit used on their client by holding the bit vertically on the surface of a course file. With the machine on, press down until they are past the used portion — similar to sharpening a pencil. Completely immerse the bit in an approved disinfectant. Sanding bands or sleeves: These are single-use, disposable items and cannot be saved or reused. After each use, discard them in a waste receptacle. Store all bits in a clean, dry container until they are ready to use.
Electric files are commonly used in the nail industry, and, when used properly, are perfectly safe. Clients should not feel any pain or burning when the electric file is being used. The only time an electric file should be used on the natural nail itself is with a buffer (no grit).
Using disinfection products correctly is a vital key to their effectiveness. Liquid disinfectants will indicate the proper dilution ratio as well as the length of contact time required for best results. One way nail professionals can hone their skills with proper liquid disinfection is through certification
Dry- cleaners: Clients should pay attention to the dry-cleaners. More advanced procedures, such as using an autoclave, will deliver the highest level of hospital-grade disinfection but only if it’s used correctly. Autoclaves are often confused with UV sterilizers, a much cheaper “alternative” on the market that is not really an equivalent alternative at all. The only way to sterilize in a salon environment is with a medical-grade autoclave, which is very expensive. If spa customers want truly safe treatment, just make a research which one has this machine. The UV boxes are causing problems because the implements emerge in sealed plastic pouches and appear sterilized to trusting consumers, even if they aren’t.
Disposable, single-use products: These products are no stranger to spa clients but they might not know it is the easier way that busy nail techs should look for to stay compliant with their state laws and prevent contamination as their appointment book grows. A key advantage to using disposable and/or single-use products is both the convenience and the assurance that cross-contamination has not taken place. Many companies have come out with some new products that answer the need for both.
The salon which use these products should be appreciated by their customers because of its completely safety and healthy. Single-use packets of all kinds of liquid products are available, from oils to moisturizers to sugar scrubs. Unlike polish, which has ingredients that bar the development of microorganisms like bacteria, other liquids in larger multi-use containers are susceptible if not used and stored properly. Paraffin treatments are particularly vulnerable. A hand/foot treatment that contains self-heating paraffin wax was also introduced within the disposable glove or slipper. These were designed to eliminate the risk of contamination from unsanitary communal tubs.
All of the nail salon’s implements are waterless and single-use manicures and pedicures to avoid water-borne pathogens. Using disposable gloves is a low-tech, relatively low-cost way to provide extra protection during services. That is why clients are strongly recommended to come to the salon use these superior products.
Best Clean Nail Salon
Being increasing quality nail spa, we also place great care in the selection of our accessories. Nail implements, towels and other equipment should be high quality and uniform in appearance. Looking from client’s perspective, we always make sure whatever we’re using and keeping at our station is related to work — keep polishes with the polishes, keep bathroom supplies in the bathroom, keep pedicure supplies with pedicure stations. Make any necessary adjustments and clean anything you might have missed.
Manicure area:
Working counters: Let’s start from the first place which is known as the dustiest place, full of small implements and products. Before cleaning off the dust from lamp and workstation, techs need to take everything off the working counters. Bottles are washed and condensed. We also take notice to the neglected areas such as the sides and the trash can.
Drawers: We can take a sanitation issue for the implements in the drawers depending on the dusty level. In general, stray clippings and nail dust likely have found their way in so that techs need to take everything out of the drawers and wipe down the inside. Techs then replace items in logical and organized way that make it easy for them to find things again.
Counter-tops: After each client, techs need to tidy up personal items wash the sweat on the table. All the towels should be replaced and in shaped after each client.
The point here is that techs should remember where the items were before randomly replacing them. We don’t turn everything into a mess by using everything that’s currently on top. However, some essentials have to be within arm’s reach such as cuticle oil, lotion, polish remover, etc.… Infrequent used implement and product need to be store in each station because The fewer items out on the workstations, the more enticing it will look for them.
Pedicure area:
The pedicure spa chair improves the customers’ spa experience. By seeking a pedicure treatment, they can also access to heat therapy, a massage and more – all in just a sitting.
Rigid cleaning schedule: While the pedicure stations and implements are cleaned, hot towel cabinets and bulk products are also washed off. These areas are cleaned regularly following a cleaning schedule. In the cleaning process, the pedicure stations are moved aside to clean any nail dust or water build-up that may have been neglected. An annual assessment is set up taking notice of the wear and tear of the chair itself.
Safety: the perfect choice is pipeless pedicure chairs which water is supplied via a jet system so that every client gets completely fresh, clean water. This help you maintain secure and sanitary conditions in nail salon. The basins of pedicure chairs: have to be drained out after each client, and sprayed with disinfectant. Clients might not know what goes down the drain. In fact, the screens and tubes of foot spas often harbor biofilm, which is basically layers of cells and proteins which can be hard to remove and more importantly, cultivate bacterial growth from other people’s skin or the water supply.
The point here is that every surface, inside and out, still needs to be wiped down. The basins are made sure that the inner working are disinfected after each use a clean nightly.
High quality ventilation system
High-quality ventilation systems are used to minimize the level of chemical exposure to clients and employees. This system draws air up into ceiling vents, where it is then safely removed from the interior of the salon. It is in operation at all times. Besides, proper ventilation is an absolute must for every salon that provides nail treatments. Nail polish and other products used at salons do normally give off a strong odor. Inhaling those fumes during the nail treatment is not an option that clients should have to bear. Therefore, adequate airflow to circulate and cleanse the air is the standard for spa customers choosing which nail salon they should get their nails done.
Reception area
When client walks into the nail salon, the reception area is the first thing to grab their attention. This place thus has to be not only clean but also logical and organized. Firstly, everything on the desk should be removed and the desk washed off. The cabinets and the table desks are wiped off inside out. Files and counters are stored in tidy area.
Every document has a dry place. Clean out any debris from the keyboard and wipe down the computer- electronics machine which can attract dust. We also do scan, organize and recycle all useless papers and documents to make sure the desk clear of clutter, broken pieces, or machines.
Floors and bathrooms
Cleaning staff should view things from the client’s perspective to know how a customer would view things. They will probably notice more than they would as someone who sees it every day.
Our normal cleaning schedule is up-to-date and happens regularly. Some neglected area like the plumbing, the pipes under the sink, and any tile grout are cleaned closely. The stock of bathroom is always full and replaced regularly such as air freshener, toilet paper, and a working and filled soap dispenser. The mirror is wiped down regularly. Soap which drips onto the sink should be replaced.
Make sure that a thorough shampooing or steam clean is done as this can be the trick to breathe some life into well-worn floors. Techs just need to add replacement rugs to give the salon a refreshed feel.