MENU
SEARCHIndustry veteran Janet McCormick makes the case for autoclaves in the salon.
Janet McCormick
Janet McCormick
In 1987, I wrote my first article ever. It was for NAILS and it was on infection control. It was one of those “I-think-this-should-be-said” articles an author writes when, instead of writing, she would rather climb on a table and scream, “What’s wrong with this industry!” I was happy to write the article because I actually thought that if I could get it on paper, I might make a difference in the industry. But, even after writing 20 or 30 articles on infection control practices in our industry since then, nail salons are still touted on TV as dirty, and the mantra of medical care professionals is, “Don’t go to nail salons.”
It seems now things are changing as the questions I am hearing from nail technicians are much different than in 1987. Most nail technicians now know they are not “sterilizing” when they are actually disinfecting in immersion liquids, and they know what good practices are — though whether they perform these practices is seen to be a personal choice by many. However, some nail technicians want to do more in the infection control area of their business now. They are tired of the reputation their beloved industry has acquired, and they want to step out and away from the nail salons that do not perform infection control impeccably. I see this as a wise choice and train many in how to profit from this decision.
To step out and away from poor infection control salons, nail salons must make obvious changes in their practices — those that can be seen by clients and instill confidence in their safety during salon services. One of the first decisions, among many, is in the very basis of their infection control: Should I have an autoclave or use immersion disinfection for implements?
Below is a grid comparing the two methods:
Autoclave | Immersion disinfection, salon level | |
Start-up costs | Several hundred dollars | Under $100 |
Verifiable results | Yes | No |
Known by clients if performed | Yes | No |
Visibly represents safety | Yes | No |
Marketable | Yes | No |
Required by states | Only two states | Usually require tuberculocidal level |
Daily costs | Distilled water | Change liquid daily |
Ongoing costs | Pouches and testing strips | Liquid |
Reliability | Excellent | Requires perfect mix |
Kills viruses, bacteria, fungi and spores, | Yes, all | Not all |
Maintenance | Spore testing weekly; send equipment in for check periodically | None |
Many other decisions must be made after this one, and the salon owner who chooses an autoclave will carry the safety vision further into the design of the salon and in the training of the nail technicians. Whatever the decision, it sets the base level of infection control the salon will perform and usually sets the bar for the practices of the nail technician at the table.
Janet McCormick is a nail technician of 34 years and co-owner of Medinail Learning Center (www.medinail.com).
Uncured gel polish and microscopic e-file dust contain active acrylates that penetrate the skin, triggering permanent contact dermatitis. Learn the chemistry behind these irritants and how to protect your clients and yourself.
What actually counts as 'source capture' under nail salon ventilation code, and what doesn't (even if it feels like it should).
Sponsored by Aerovex Systems
The Good Patch is a leading wearable wellness patch brand, offering wellness and skincare patches that support everyday needs including energy, sleep, relaxation and more.
Orthopedic PT reveals three daily exercises plus ergonomic advice that can help salon professionals avoid the aches and injuries caused by standing, bending and repetitive overhead work.
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
From acrylic monomers to airborne bio-dust, the air inside a nail salon carries risks most professionals never see coming. Aerovex Systems reveals the source-capture and room-purification strategies that are setting a new standard for salon safety.
Sponsored by Aerovex Systems
Products marketed as 'magic' or 'burst' gel removers may contain methylene chloride, a federally banned, highly toxic chemical.
Working in beauty doesn’t have to hurt. Learn how Somatic Movement helps hairstylists, lash artists, and other beauty pros release tension, improve posture, and extend their careers.
As a spa or salon professional, your clients expect more than just beauty—they expect safety, hygiene, and peace of mind. Fungal infections like Athlete’s Foot and Nail Fungus are more common than you think, especially in environments where tools and footbaths are reused without proper sanitation. This blog covers how to stop these issues before they start, using proven infection prevention strategies for salons and spas.
A federal initiative aimed at studying chemical exposure in nail salons has ended due to staffing and budget changes. Here’s what the project set out to do—and what its conclusion means for salon professionals.
For many people, a pedicure is a relaxing beauty ritual. But what most don’t realize is that this simple service, if done without proper hygiene and sanitation, can cause serious infections and long-term health issues.
Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. While it may look painful, it typically isn’t—at least not at first. But without proper care, this common nail disorder can lead to infections, deformities, and long-term damage.
Mckenzie Kool, Psychologist, MC, RPsych provides us with guidance on what may or not be helpful in speaking with someone who has suffered a significant loss.
Clients come to you to feel their best—not leave with a viral souvenir. Warts and cold sores can spread fast in busy salons, but a few smart habits make all the difference. Let’s talk about what’s really lurking in your salon (and how to kick it to the curb).
As Earth Day approaches, The Green Beauty Community Foundation and the Green Spa Network invite beauty pros to step forward and embrace sustainability through the Green Pledge--a powerful initiative designed by and for beauty industry leaders.
Don’t cancel Valentine’s Day altogether, urges Jill Palmquist. Instead, think of it as a (frilly, flowery, Champagne-bubbly) wake-up call to fall deeply in love with your own life.
Life coach and Culture Ambassador of Sam Villa, Andrew Carruthers, outlines how to tell if your burnout is temporary - or if it's time to make a bigger career change.
