Americans love getting their nails done — so much that in 2018, we spent about $8.36 billion in nail salons, according to Statista.
A skillful manicure is a relatively affordable luxury that, according to The Cut, suggests power and class. But your health and safety are worth more than beautiful fingers and toes, so before you sit down for any nail service, take a good look for some of the following things at your favorite salon:
* Licenses. Every state requires that nail salon technicians be licensed or certified, according to Insureon. The license proves that the technician has received a certain amount of education and passed an exam.
* Clean bathrooms. According to Memorial Hermann Health, the bathroom should be spotless. If it isn't, don't assume the stations will be.
* Sanitary tools. Nail salons should clean and disinfect tools after each customer in hospital-grade disinfectant, and some states even require sterilization in autoclaves. UV sterilizers, which resemble microwaves or toaster ovens, are not effective, according to Elle.
* Clean and organized workstations. Surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected after each client, towels replaced, and disposable items thrown away. Hand sanitizer should also be available at each station.
* Clean pedicure stations. The vast majority of nail salon foot baths have some bacterial growth. Tubs should be drained, sanitized, rinsed, and covered with a new plastic liner after each customer. It's best to avoid them entirely if you have any broken skin on your feet, according to Piedmont Health.
