Salon Safety

Toluene is a common ingredient in many nail products. You can find out if the products you are using contain toluene by looking at the ingredient labels or material safety data sheets (MSDS). Overexposure to toluene can cause skin dryness and cracking, eye and throat irritation, or headaches. Toluene can also be harmful to developing fetuses. To keep yourself safe, always make sure to wear proper protective equipment, including disposable nitrile gloves that are changed frequently. If possible, supply your salon with toluene-free products, or products labeled "3-free."

Nail salon workers interact closely with the nails of many clients, putting salon workers at risk of nail infections. Infections can happen either from direct contact with an infected individual or by touching a surface that an infected individual has come into contact with. Proper disinfection and sterilization is key to preventing the spread of nail infections. The use of disposable gloves is the best way for nail salon workers to avoid nail infections through direct contact.

The Toxic Trio is a combination of ingredients commonly used in nail polish formulation. These ingredients have been linked to a number of harmful health effects. To avoid the Toxic Trio, look for nail polishes labeled "3-Free."

Many nail salon workers commonly experience aches and pains. This happens from leaning over work tables for a long time, doing repetitive motions like buffing and filing, and resting wrists and forearms on hard surfaces or sharp table edges. Small alterations to work stations combined with gentle stretching can help to alleviate muscle aches and pains.

Do you know the 3 routes of exposure? Dermal (skin or eye contact), inhalation (breathing), and ingestion (eating - unintentional or intentional) are the ways by which harmful substances can get into your body and affect your health. Check out this infographic for examples specific to salon work and measures you can take to protect yourself.

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) contain essential info that can help you better understand the hazards of a given nail salon product and how to use the product in the safest way possible. These sheets are required to be made available to salon workers, and they can often be found in break room areas or by requesting them from the salon owner.

Salon ventilation can be a complicated topic to understand! At the most basic level, your salon should have a ventilation system in place that filters out both particulates (like nail dust) and vapors. General HVAC systems for nonindustrial settings are not adequate for keeping the potentially hazardous substances of a nail salon at safe levels, so your salon should work with a professional to design and install a ventilation system that works for your space.

Safe storage of products is essential for preventing accidents and injuries in the salon. Not only does safe, proper storage keep you and your customers safe, but it also helps to make sure your products stay in their best shape for as long as possible. Does your salon meet the safe product storage checklist?