Charlotte’s concern: I went with my daughter and had a my first and probably only pedicure. After I had my pedicure I read a article that said you could get HIV from a pedicure. I’m worried. How true is this?
The Left Brain’s calming response:
While transmission is theoretically possible it is highly unlikely. According to this doctor, there have been no reported cases of HIV, Hepatitus B or C transmission from nail salons. Still, if you’re worried, I think you get tested by your doctor (the Oraquick Advance HIV 1/2 Rapid Test will give you a result in 20 minutes at your doctor’s office. You can take a Hepatitis screening as well.)
The real issue here is the cleanliness of your salon. While HIV transmission is not a serious concern, dirty implements and improperly sanitized foot baths can cause a variety of other infections. See our previous post about the danger of infection from pedicures for more details.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
There’s very little chance you’ve contracted HIV from your pedicure. But if you’re really concerned about taking your daughter to a nail salon, you might consider a Do It Yourself approach. See the links below for some of the basic tools you’ll need.
What do YOU think? Are nail salons safe or do you avoid them because of fear of infection? Leave a comment for the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Yeah, I dont think you can get infected by going to a nail salon. If you get cut, make sure you clean it out really well but I don’t think you’d really need to worry too much about that. There are many other things in a nail salon probably more dangerous than that.
Look at the salon with cleanliness in mind and ask yourself these questions: Are the stations clean? Does the nail technician wash her hands between clients? Are there dirty implements lying around? If the salon does not appear clean, then move on http://www.nailsalon.we.bs/
It is more likely you would get Hepatitis than HIV from a salon.
But you need to know some things. What are you calling a “salon?” Was this a place that used the SAME files and implements from client to client? Did the tech have you and your daughter wash YOUR hands BEFORE the service?
There is a difference between a salon and a chop shop. There are also places that are coined nss-non standard salon. For about eight years or so that term has been used INSTEAD of chop shops. In reality, nss is ANY shop/salon/spa that does not conform to industry standards.
NEVER use a salon that stores your implements in a box/bag with your name on it. No matter what you think, this is a filthy practice that even some doctors recommend. Unless those implements are washed and sanitized, those files and nippers are dirty. If Mary’s box below you has not been washed before being put in that box, and Mary has a toe fungus, guess what? Those germs are not staying in Mary’s box. How clean is that? False sense of security people!
If you are looking for the cheapest manicure/pedicure/nail service, then expect non existent cleanliness practices. You get what you pay for.
Is the risk worth it?
buenos dias,
Lynnette