How Nail Technicians Stay Safe Against Health Risks

Nail technicians need the proper protection to guard themselves against harsh chemicals and bloodborne pathogens, which is not something the consumer normally thinks about when receiving a great foot massage or perfect manicure. Salon owners need to keep employee safety top of mind when making purchasing decisions, to also ensure they comply to regulations from the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).

The regulations put in place are there for a reason, with safety at the forefront. Prolonged exposure to the common chemicals frequented by nail technicians may lead to:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Skin, Eye, Mouth or Nose Irritation
• Asthma
• Harm to Fetuses of Pregnant Technicians
• Kidney or Liver Damage

Bloodborne pathogens can have the potential to also lead to additional biological risks. Nail technicians can be exposed to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV viruses potentially when grooming nails and nail beds. 

Salon owners need to purchase several types of barrier protection to ensure safety of their technicians. This includes purchasing disposable gloves and facemasks upon stocking up on shellac polish and other nail supplies.

Exam-grade disposable gloves are essential for protecting nail technicians against potential health risks. Latex allergies have become more apparent in recent years from both technicians and customers. It is recommended to avoid latex gloves as a technician or client may present an allergic reaction without prior knowledge. Nitrile is a synthetic material that is a great alternative to latex. Nitrile disposable gloves often have a better fit because the material conforms to your hand throughout use. 1^st Choice exam-grade nitrile gloves are a great solution to keep nail technicians safe against latex sensitivities as well as potential bloodborne pathogens.

Face masks are also an essential piece of protective wear for nail technicians, the masks create a barrier protection. The barrier protects from chemical dusts and environmental contaminants inhabiting the respiratory system of the technician. This is crucial in nail salon use as technicians are coming into contact with many different chemicals as well as nail and polish parabens. We suggest ensuring your technicians are equipped with ear loop face masks as a baseline or even N95 face masks for additional filtering capabilities.

If you are a salon owner, ensure that disposable gloves are included in your purchasing routine. Zoomget has the top-rated exam-gloves needed to keep your technicians protected.