Slough Borough Council’s environmental health team are advising residents on how to keep their nails healthy and what to expect when having a manicure or pedicure at a salon.
The Slough team has devised a few handy tips on what people should expect when they go to have their nails done. These are to –
* Check the nail Slough technician is qualified – ask to see a certificate
* Expect to fill in a health form to indicate any allergies you may have, whether you are diabetic or whether you are taking any medication which may make you susceptible to infection.
* Expect to see liquid soap and fresh, disposable towels at every nail station, rather than bars of soap and fabric towels.
* Expect to see stainless steel or ceramic tools. Plastic can’t be sterilised.
* If plastic tools are used, watch to see if they are thrown away after use.
* Expect to see emery boards and nail buffers either discarded or sterilised after every use
* When using a Slough foot spa, expect to see it emptied out completely and disinfected between uses.
* Expect to see all tools kept in a solution in a closed container for at least 30 minutes between uses.
* Expect each technician to have at least two sets of tools, unless they have more than 30 minutes between each client (the time it takes to achieve disinfection)
* Expect to see paraffin wax used only once. Your hands or feet should be dipped in to a disposable container and the wax should be discarded afterwards.
Sheilagh Costello, environmental health officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “We’re committed to ensuring residents in the town are aware of the health factors when going for a manicure or pedicure.
“Nail bars can often be a source of nail infections or fungi if equipment is not disinfected adequately and basic cleaning is not adhered to. It’s recommended you visit your GP if you have any concerns with regard to nail infections, as they can often take months to treat and cure.”
Slough Borough Council
