By Rita Colorito on February 2, 2012 in
I'm a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to nail care, preferring to shape and paint my own talons instead of paying someone else to do it. Apparently, my frugal ways may do more than save me money -- it might also save my health.
Nail salon and barbershop patrons may be at risk for hepatitis infection if the tools commonly used -- such as nail files, nail brushes, finger bowls, foot basins, buffers, razors, clippers, and scissors -- are improperly cleaned, found a new study presented recently at the American College of Gastroenterology annual scientific meeting.Even though regulations already exist to insure the disinfection of these instruments so they do not transmit Hepatitis B and C -- a serious blood-borne infection that causes swelling of the liver -- and other diseases, the concern is the federal regulatory agency OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Association) does not have guidelines. What's more: neither the Centers for Disease Control nor the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System recognizes barbering, manicures or pedicures as risk factors for transmission of hepatitis infection. "The risk of transmission of infectious disease, particularly hepatitis B and C, in personal care settings is significantly understudied in the United States," the study's author David A. Johnson, MD, said in a prepared statement.
Salon safety measures
"Whether there is sufficient compliance with disinfection requirements is an important variable in the safety of salon and barbershop services from a public health perspective," said Dr. Johnson, who is professor of internal medicine and chief of the division of gastroenterology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. "No one should accept on blind trust that a business is taking the necessary steps to prevent transmission of bloodborne infections such as hepatitis."
He suggests salon and barbershop customers protect themselves by asking whether instruments are properly cleaned and disinfected. Here is a clue: Look for jars of instruments in a disinfecting "tuberculocidal" blue liquid. Ask to see the label if you aren't sure. Especially, since UV sterilizing ovens don't disinfect instruments properly. He also recommends that customers bring their own clippers, razors, nail files and other cutting equipment to their appointments.
For more information, About.com Beauty Guide Julyne Derrick offers in-depth consumer advice in "How to Stay Safe at the Nail Salon." Some of the same advice applies to barbershops.