CINCINNATI — Women hear this time after time - be careful at nail salons to avoid contamination and unsafe practices.
So far WCPO has not heard of any cases of nail infections from dipping powders in our area, but it’s something local nail shops want customers to be aware of.
It’s not Becky Walter’s favorite nail technique, but it’s what some of her customers at her Blush Beauty Bar and Spa prefer.
“It’s basically a powder and liquid combination used to coat natural nail and to add length to a nail,” Walter said
As it grows in popularity, so does risk of infection.
“The number one reason is sanitation done incorrectly,” Walter said.
This happens when someone with unclean nails dips into the powder and another person dips into that same powder.
“They have to wash with a good antibacterial soap making sure that they’re not only scrubbing their hands, they’re scrubbing underneath their finger nails, the whole entire surface area,” Walter said.
Michigan requires shops to dispose of the powder after each use. That’s not required in Ohio, only suggested.
“Say if you were to come in and you had some kind of cuticle infection, redness, bleeding, blistering, anything around the surface area of the nail, at that point you would not dip or they should not dip you.”
Only sprinkle.
Shai Horsley, owner of Nails By Gorgeous Shai, doesn’t use the powder but knows about it.
“With dip you have to basically re-use the same powder,” Horsley said. “Some people might have open cuts or any infection and that’s cross contamination.”
That's why talking to your technician and washing your hands will most likely help prevent infections from spreading.
Every state has a cosmetology board. You can learn more about safe practices and other requirements online.
