Guzman McHugh

They seem so harmless. Just small glass bottles filled up with colorful liquid. But nail polish may contain dangerous ingredients, such as for instance chemical, or hide fungi, viruses and microorganisms. Buyer beware!

The dangers of nail polish, though, are just half the story. One other half is the nail salon. How clear is it, really? How well does it protect you from illness?

Several nail salons aren't what they seem to be. Despite slick interiors and happy experts, many areas don't follow proper hygiene methods.

BTG Cosmetics Inc., producer of the Toma model of nail polish known for the formaldehyde-free method, has established a fresh idea in nail care: a, never-used personal-size bottle of polish that clients get to take home together after their service is complete. BTG Cosmetics shows that you ask these questions before you take a seat for the next manicure or pedicure:

* Is anything up to speed? Be sure that the professionals are properly certified and that your salon is operating under present licenses. If people desire to identify more on glass nail files, there are many online resources you might think about pursuing. Such files ought to be displayed.

* How would be the instruments sanitized? Clippers, scissors, files and other instruments should all be sterilized after each use. The small device that reveals methods to ultraviolet light has yet to be accepted by OSHA, and barbicide, the ubiquitous blue liquid solution, is really a disinfectant only and will not destroy viruses such as hepatitis C.

Chemical sterilizers are used by many places with germicides and fungicides, but only a medical-grade autoclave may sterilize metal items adequately by submitting them to extreme temperature under extreme pressure. Even better: Some salons use new, separately covered instruments for each customer.

* How safe may be the nail polish? Your nail polish must certanly be treated like your toothbrush - do not reveal. In place of risk infection using a previously opened bottle of polish, obtain your salon to hold the Toma SlimLine private polish variety or bring your own polish. As you can easily and quickly fix those inevitable chips among nail services, an additional advantage..