At a recent industry meeting the group discussed ways to get more people into nail salons and getting their nails done. One creative program was “National Get Your Nails Done Month,” which was an excellent idea. After all, just about every profession has something devoted to enlarging their industry.

But I had a concern and something, sort of in jest, but with a grain of truth I said that before we drive the beauty consuming public to the salons, we need to make sure salons are ready for them. My off the cuff comment was “Maybe we should first have National Wash Your Hands Month,” being that too many salons don’t observe that most basic of sanitation functions before servicing clients, In my own experience as a salon client (even with my high profile as editor/publisher of NAILS) I am RARELY asked to wash my hands before a service and I rarely observe the nail technician herself taking a moment to wash up.

I’m suggesting that as an informal movement to prepare ourselves for whatever new or old clients come through our doors, we designate October National Wash Your Hands Month! All you have to do is wash your hands before every service and let you clients see you doing it (don’t you notice how the doctor always her hands in the exam room?). And second, ask every client to wash her hands before the service. It doesn’t matter whether you’re doing a waterless manicure, a full set, or a pedicure….get into the excellent habit of hand-washing.

Now you can observe my National Wash Your Hands Month simply by doing the hand-washing or you can talk it up with your clients. You can incorporate special soaps and brushes, disinfectants, and you can decorate the sink and wash-up areas. You can use flyers and table tents and wear buttons that say “National Wash Your Hands Month” but the key is: WASH YOUR HANDS.

 

 

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