Best Non Toxic Nail Salon in Houston

There’s nothing worse than a dirty manicure. Dirtying, erm, oiling nails may not seem like an issue at first, but over time, it can lead to sores and nail infections.

Eating, burning, or shaving on your fingernails can affect them, too.

Nail salons have a number of promises: that they take good care of our hands, that they keep us looking healthy and refreshed, and that they’re what you want to go to for sprucing up your nails.

But in the course of an evening, they might also put us at risk for infections and poisoning.

Below are six sign-up requirements for nail salons that you should have in mind.

1. The mani

Before you agree to that manicure and pedicure at a salon, make sure that the manicurist is trained and qualified to handle your nails. Check out the certification that comes with the license, and make sure that the salon is in good standing with state and local authorities, including health departments. Make sure that the person providing you with your manicure has special training and knowledge in this area, and is properly certified.

2. The tub

And you thought you were, um, intimate? While a hot tub is not technically a salon product, it’s also not an aspect of a spa experience that you may want to bring into the home. If the salon advertises a hot tub, it’s not recommended to use it. Cold water bathing, whether you’re bathing at home or doing something like waxing, is another thing you should avoid. The climate in a hot tub can be particularly bad for your nails, and it might make your other skin ailments more difficult to treat.

3. The Pedicure

Here’s where it gets a little tricky. You’re going to get a pedicure (i.e., a physical therapy-like treatment on your legs and feet). Don’t assume that a pedicure always involves feet. You may also be approached to get a foot massage. A massage from a wet foot is a really bad idea. Not only do wet feet present even more potential problems, but if the end product feels weird, it might mean a skin infection.

If it’s a nail spa where all you’re having for your toes is a massage, you’re probably not getting clean nails. A nail spa where all they do is massage people’s toes is more in line with a reflexology salon (meaning, they’re not that committed to treating the body). There are other nail spas that engage in skin healing and have clean nail beds where you can get a pedicure, though.

4. The Polish

Nail polish — but not just any nail polish — should be cleaned well. Nail polish remover, which contains water and bleach, is linked to blackheads, cysts, and even hypothyroidism. So if your salon is not properly cleaning your polish, you are putting yourself at risk for sensitive skin, lower thyroid function, and an extra long time for your hands to go in that mixture. (More on the dangers of nail polish here.)

5. The buff

One mistake nail salons often make is brushing too hard, and it can come with several drawbacks. Your nails can sometimes become brittle, and can even chip. Stress, allergies, infections, and the use of antibiotics can all compromise the nails. Drying over a day can even cause larger nail cracks.

You could be liable for food poisoning if you don’t wash your hands, and bleach is dangerous, even for healthy, clean hands.

6. The serum

But it turns out that there’s a lot to be said for drugstore potions that are mixed with oil and alcohol for a more uniform application than a nail polish. They’re made with ingredients like glycerin and cocoa butter, which help prevent stained and damaged nails, and can keep bacteria from spreading.

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