‘Safe Sandal Season’ Offers 10 Tips for a Safe Nail Salon Visit
Sunny days are back, and, as more people to head to the nail salon for a pedicure, that means the return of “Safe Sandal Season.” This year, the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board) is celebrating the tenth “Safe Sandal Season” campaign, which educates consumers and equips them on how to protect themselves by avoiding health hazards and risks for infection while at the salon.
Celebrate the 10th annual ‘Safe Sandal Season’ campaign by following these 10 tips from the Board to help ensure your pedicure experience is a healthy and fun one!
- Look for the establishment license. The license must be valid and posted in plain sight along with a message for consumers in the reception area.
- Look for the posted cosmetologist or manicurist license. Always make sure the cosmetologist’s or manicurist’s license is valid and posted at their workstation.
- Ensure the salon is neat and clean. All salons are required to follow the California Department of Public Health and Cal OSHA industry guidelines, including the rules and regulations of the Board.
- Don’t shave your legs 24 hours before a pedicure. Shaving makes you more susceptible to nicks and cuts which are gateways for bacteria. If you have broken skin or lesions on your lower legs, don’t get a pedicure until they have healed.
- Cosmetologists and manicurists are required to wash their hands often. It’s OK to ask a manicurist to wash their hands before your pedicure.
- Make sure all metal tools and foot spa basins are disinfected. Tools must always be properly disinfected. Improper disinfection or no disinfection can lead to the transfer of bacteria or infection. You have the right to see the salon’s cleaning and disinfection log. Wiping out the tub between clients isn’t enough. For example, in the case of whirlpool foot spas and air-jet basins, special disinfectant must circulate through the equipment for 10 minutes between consumers.
- Buffers and files must only be used once. Once used on you, they must be thrown out immediately. Don’t let a manicurist file your toenails with a used file or buffer.
- Refuse nail products that contain Methyl Methacrylate. It can be identified by a strong odor.
- Don’t let a cosmetologist or manicurist use a razor or sharp tool to remove a callus. A manicurist can smooth a callus, but they cannot remove a callus. Removing a callus can cause harm.
- If you see something, say something. You can always file a complaint or report any concern to the Board.
The Board’s brochure “Pedicure Safety Tips” provides additional information to help ensure consumers have a safe pedicure experience. Korean | Spanish | Vietnamese
To verify a license, visit the Department of Consumer Affairs’ license search tool at https://search.dca.ca.gov/.
