New 2016 Salon Sanitation Laws

Nail Salon Sanitation Requirements

Salon sanitation is one of the most important aspects of the nail salon industry. Proper sanitation prevents the spread of fungal and bacterial diseases from one client to the next and helps to ensure safe working conditions

within the salon. Most states complete annual reviews and applicable updates to nail salon sanitation requirements to ensure that the standards offer the most effective approach in reducing client infection. 

Education

Along with the required education needed to obtain a nail technician license,  most State’s Department of 

Cosmetology require all licensed manicurists, operators and manicure instructors to complete at least two hours of 

sanitation education to meet continuing education requirements. These continuing education hours must be completed 

prior to the expiration of the current license in order to renew the license. 

Sterilizers

All nail salons are required to use sterilizers approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to sanitize metal implements. For proper sterilization, the implements must first be cleaned with hot water and soap, disinfected in wet sanitizer and then sterilized with an authorized autoclave, ultraviolet sanitizer or dry heat sterilizer. Users must operate the sterilizer according to the manufacturer’s instruction to ensure proper sterilization. 

Foot Spa

Nail salons that complete pedicure and other foot-related services are required to meet foot spa sanitation requirements. Under most State Cosmetology Laws, all foot spa systems must be drained, cleaned and disinfected both between customers and at the end of each day. The systems must also be drained, flushed, cleaned and sanitized every two weeks. All sanitation efforts must be recorded in a written log.

Contagions

To ensure proper sterilization and prevent the spread of disease,  most nail salons are prohibited from employing a nail technician, instructor or other employee who carries an infectious or contagious disease.  Check for this rule under your states’ cosmetology law.  However, certain protections are afforded under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Responsibility

Though it may be ideal for each nail technician to sanitize his own implements, most states cosmetology law reads that it is the responsibility of the nail salon owner to ensure that all implements are properly sanitized and sterilized according to regulations. It is also the owner’s responsibility to ensure that the establishment maintains sanitary conditions and meets the sanitation regulations as detailed in Cosmetologists Laws and Rules book, which is updated annually.

Stay Compliant

Check Here for your State Board Information and New 2016 Laws 

Backscratchers is offering its biggest discount of the year!  Take 25% off your entire order.  Stock up on the products you love at a significant savings. 

Use the code 25415 at checkout.  Offer Valid December 28-January 4, 2016. Some exclusions apply.

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Let's Talk About Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause nails to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. It can affect several nails but usually not 
all of them.

Nail fungus is also called onychomycosis (on-ih-koh-my-KOH-sis) and tinea unguium. When fungus infects the areas between your toes and the skin of your feet, it's called athlete's foot (tinea pedis). Because toes are often warm and damp, fungus, also known as dermatophytes, grows well there. Different kinds of fungi and sometimes yeast affect  different parts of the nail. Left untreated, an infection could spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails.

HERBAL SYNERGY BY BACKCSRATCHERS

Herbal Synergy combines oregano, Tea Tree and cinnamon oils, all known as natural anti-fungal healers. The compound of this product is unparalleled and will reduce and help to eliminate most nail fungus. This product was compounded exclusively for Backscratchers Salon Systems, by renowned cosmetic chemist, Dr. Peter Pugliese.  

A study from the Department of Horticulture and National Food Safety and Toxicology center at Michigan StateUniversity discovered carvacrol has antifungal properties. Carvacrol is the active ingredient found in oregano oil. Tea Tree contains terpen-4-ol and is the reason for its antiseptic and antifungal properties. The terpen-4-ol is a known natural killer Dermatophytes. Due to its antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties, cinnamon is extremely powerful and effective on external infections. 

Order Herbal Synergy today to help fight toenail fungus

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Silk & Fiberglass Wraps are Hot!!

Developed in the early ‘80s, nail wraps are thin products made from paper, silk, linen, fiberglass, mesh, or other fabrics applied to the nail for extra reinforcement. They can be embedded within acrylics and gels or used as a natural nail coating or extension and sealed with resin.

Nail wraps have made a comeback as we continue to realize exactly what the product can do. Techs started doing overlay services, and resin and silk wraps can go well under polish. Fiberglass, also, has the same end result as dip acrylics: a stronger natural nail with longer-lasting polish.      Shop Glass Glaze Now

Tip sales have been decreasing recently and the rise of soak-off gels has changed the general feeling about how nails should look and should be shaped. Many clients are generally moving toward a more natural nail and the trend is short.  A lot of clients seem to be looking for a service just to keep their short nails strong and colored for longer.  Nail wraps fit the bill.

The most common customer will most likely be a client who’s looking for a natural nail overlay. Nail wraps can also be used to create a bit of a tip as well, if the client’s nails are too short. Fiberglass or silk gives it a nice natural overlay without being thick and bulky.

All nail techs should revisit nail wraps because of how non-damaging they are to the nails. If a client needs some help growing out her natural nails, wraps are the perfect service.

Michael Megna, Backscratchers’ founder and CEO, recommends nail wraps for clients who are allergic to acrylic or primer, or the elderly. As well, he says it’s a common service for clients looking to extend damaged toenails during the pedicure season.

Nail wraps are also great for “transitioners,” or clients who’re giving up acrylics and want to grow out their nails. Transitioners have weaker nails and are subjected to a higher chance of breakage along the road to recovery.

 When wearing acrylics, you don’t have to be too careful with your hands. If you reach for something and bang your nail, it probably won’t break. But when you’re going back to natural nails, this can be shocking. When wearing nails with an overlay, you’re going to tend to adjust to them better as they’re growing out.” Additionally, anyone with naturally weak nails or someone prone to stress cracks is a prime client for this service  since nail wraps work so well on the natural nail.

Megna says he’s seen a wide range of pricing, but the most common tends to be $5 to $10 more than that salon’s acrylic pricing.  “Once you get the education and perfect your skills, you can do a set in 30 to 35 minutes, but keep in mind if the system takes
longer, you need to charge for it,” says Megna.

More and more nail techs have been experimenting with nail wraps for 3-D nail art. You can lay rhinestones and other embellishments directly on the finished wrapped nail and then encase it with another layer of resin. According to Megna, you can put anything on top of fiberglass. Check out Divine Designs Nail Art

Silk wraps can be used as nail art decals. Paint or airbrush on a design, cut it out, and remove the backing. A simple layer of top coat will make the fabric transparent. This is a great activity to do in advance so you can have it ready for your client if your books are full. Paint on animal print or herringbone for a full nail decal. Nail wrap decals, especially made with fiberglass, work with regular polish as well.

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Winter Nail Care Tips
Slipping on mittens is one way to shield nails from the ravages of winter. But it’s not the only solution.

Seasonal Pointers
Cold temperatures bring snowball fights, hot chocolate—and, quite often, craggy nails and cuticles.
Since winter’s dry air is especially rough on hands, it’s a good idea to have a weatherproofing plan
right at your fingertips.

Why Nails Hate Winter
Two words: moisture loss. “Healthy nails contain 18 percent water on average,” says Erin Gilbert, a
New York City dermatologist. “In winter, you’re constantly moving between the hot, dry air indoors
and the freezing temperatures outdoors. These extremes can reduce the moisture level in your nails,
leaving them dehydrated.” Dried-out nails are more likely to break, split, and chip. Compounding the
harsh climate conditions are stressors such as hot showers (water draws moisture from nails as it
evaporates from skin) and drying products, like polish removers with acetone, alcohol-based hand
sanitizers, and dishwashing liquid. Keep your nails hydrated with Nail Radiance by Backscratchers. 

The Protection Plan
Intense hydration is the name of the game. Nails are made up of flattened dead cells containing
keratin, but moisturizers can make them flexible, supple, and less likely to split and break. So when
you reach for that rich winter hand cream (which you should apply after every
 hand washing), get in the habit of slathering your nails, too. If you have
polish on, just massage the cream into the cuticles to help stimulate healthy nail growth. Morning and night, rub on cuticle oil.

Once a week, step things up with an intensive treatment. Soak nails in lukewarm water for no more than 10 minutes, then coat them with Nail Radiance cuticle oil and slip on cotton gloves for at least an hour.

Salon Sanitation Laws are Changing. Be Educated

SALON SANITATION

Regulators, Not Consumers, Drive Sanitation Trends

Michael Megna, CEO and co-founder of Backscratchers Salon Systems, discusses salon sanitation issues and the trend toward disposable products.

NAILS recently caught up with Michael Megna, CEO and co-founder of Backscratchers Salon Systems and got his take on sanitation issues and the trend toward disposable products.

Is there a trend toward using disposable products in nail salons? If so, why?

Megna: Yes. With very real concerns about cross-contamination and changes in state sanitation laws, disposable items make sense for today’s salons. Advances in technology are also making it possible to manufacture many more disposable items, such as file abrasives and salon placemats.

What is pushing the trend?

Megna: While sanitation issues have been addressed in the mainstream media, we are finding that consumers are not demanding better sanitation as a result. What is pushing better sanitation are changes to state laws.

Does it seem like consumers are more aware of sanitation and disinfection issues?

Megna: Nail techs tell us that their clients are not demanding better sanitation or asking about their practices. We think there’s a general consumer awareness of these issues, but unless the nail tech promotes client awareness directly, by showing her customers what sanitation products and techniques she uses, her clients do not make much effort to ensure that a salon is safe.

What do you envision will be the future of disposable products?

Megna: Judging just from the increase in our SeptiFile Replaceable File System sales, we see it increasing exponentially. We’d like to see the industry as a whole try to develop disposable products that have a limited impact on the environment. Other industries, such as medicine, dentistry and food preparation, are also moving toward more disposable products and packaging, so we need to keep the environment in mind.

What new types of disposable products do you see being introduced to the market in the near future?

Megna: Not only will standard disposable items continue to be in demand, but we expect to see more disposable versions of implements and more single-use packaging of product.

What can salons do to compensate for the additional cost?

Megna: In some cases, disposable products are less expensive. However, replenishing salon supplies can put more financial pressure on technicians. It can drive up the price of salon services, and is likely to continue to do so. Since consumer awareness is such an important factor in sanitation, we recommend emphasizing the fact that salons must raise prices slightly to cover the additional costs of protecting their clients’ safety, or of complying with new state sanitation laws.

Fighting Nail Fungus with Backscratchers. A Commentary from Roe Van Epps

Ahhh the memories of summer…. Picnics, bike rides, sunny days, hazy and lots of humidity….bad hair, bad nails….

Bad nails?  What?

Well that seems to get the latest chatter these days.  I have had many calls lately about “greenies” you know… nail mold and fungus.   Yuck.

According to the Mayo clinic:  Nail fungal infections are typically caused by a fungus that belongs to a group of fungi called dermatophytes. But yeasts and molds also can be responsible for nail fungal infections.

What are fungi?
Fungi are microscopic organisms that don't need sunlight to survive. Some fungi have beneficial uses, while others cause illness and infection.

All of these microscopic organisms:

v  Live in warm, moist environments, including swimming pools and showers
v  Can invade your skin through tiny visible or invisible cuts or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed
v  Cause problems only if your nails are continually exposed to warmth and moisture — conditions perfect for the growth and spread of fungi

Toenails vs. fingernails
Nail fungus occurs more in toenails than in fingernails.

Toenails often are confined in a dark, warm, moist environment inside your shoes — where fungi can thrive.

Diminished blood circulation to the toes as compared with the fingers makes it harder for your body's immune system to detect and eliminate the infection.

Dealing with fungus as a nail tech can be a real challenge: Dealing with your environment, the client and then (surviving) the treatment.

First, your environment:  Your first responsibility as a nail tech is to avoid any type of germ or disease transfer. 

v  ALWAYS have a clean and sanitized work area and implements. 

v  Each client must have a clean file.  This means using a new file with every client. NOT once a week. NOT every month. EVERY CLIENT.

v  The easiest and most cost effective way to do this is by using Backscratchers SeptiFileReplaceable Abrasives.

v  Sanitize your implements after each service.  Use a high-quality product like Cavicide. Just like with the files – each client must have fresh clean nippers, clippers, pushers etc.   Buy several sets of implements and rotate – while one set is in use the other set is soaking in Backscratchers Salon Aseptic Kit with Cavicide.  Simple but effective.

v  Fresh and clean towels and placements with each client.

Second, the client:   Usually when a fungus develops the client usually blames you – the nail tech.  It’s sad but true.  The best way to deal with this situation is to be educated and prepared.  Ask a few questions:  Is this an isolated incident?  

v  Do any of my other clients have a fungus?

v  Does my client have a previous history of fungus?

v  Does his/her lifestyle fit the criteria explained above?

Hopefully, you have been working with a clean and sanitized environment so this should be the only client with the issue.  

Third – surviving the treatment:

I say it this way because dealing with a fungus is not fun for anyone, you or the client.  If the fungus is very bad always refer the client to a physician.  Remember, we are nail techs – not doctors.  We are good but we cannot write prescriptions; which is what is often required to treat really out of control nail fungi. That said, Backscratchers sells a powerful organic aid in the treatment of nail fungus. Herbal Synergy is created with 3 powerful known healers, Oregano, Tea Tree oil and cinnamon oil. Herbal Synergy was designed to aid in the fight of nail fungus, naturally.

From my experience the best way to treat the average nail fungus is to remove all artificial products.  This is when the word “surviving” comes into play.  The client will not like this idea.  They want the product to remain but the problem to go away.   This usually doesn’t happen.  The best way to treat the fungus is by applying an all natural antifungal agent directly to the naked nail(s).  Using Herbal Synergy will help the healing process while the affected nail grows out.   This can still be a long road as the nail(s) grow, however, lack of artificial product and daily treats will indeed speed up the process. 

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