Who doesn’t love a manicure? There’s something about getting your nails done that can work wonders for your confidence and leave you feeling completely pampered. As the go-to destination for those seeking a little self-care, it’s no wonder that the popularity of the nail salon is booming.
The industry is currently worth nearly £400 million, and as the demand for nail care services continues to rise, there’s never been a better time to be a part of this dynamic and exciting sector by running your own salon.
However, running a beauty business isn’t always smooth sailing. From unsanitized tools and fungal infections to injuries from treatments, there are risks and hazards lurking around every corner. This highlights the importance for owners like you to take steps like investing in equipment, ensuring that your team receives adequate training, and obtaining comprehensive insurance.
As the specialist brokers over at Salon Gold explain, insurance is “crucial if a member of the public or a customer brings legal action against you for causing them injury or property damage. This could set you back tens of thousands of pounds, which, without insurance, you’d have to pay yourself.”
You’ve worked hard to set up your salon, so you’ll want to do everything in your power to keep it safe. With that in mind, let’s look at three essential steps for doing just this.
1. Clean high-touch areas
When welcoming a steady stream of customers, it’s easy to let cleaning fall by the wayside. However, the spread of germs and diseases due to poor cleaning methods could swiftly ruin your company’s reputation — and your customers’ cuticles.
“When the right precautions are not taken, nail salons are a haven for the type of fungi that wreak havoc on healthy nails,” Dan Everson, Podiatrist, explains. “A pedicure presents the potential for minor trauma to your skin and nails, which in combination with poor sterilisation measures, makes infection a very real risk.”
Establishing a cleaning schedule is crucial for maintaining a safe and hygienic environment in your salon. High-touch surfaces such as door handles, countertops, and salon chairs are prime areas for germs to accumulate, and should be disinfected on a regular basis. Additionally, all tools and equipment used, such as nail files, buffers, and clippers, should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use.
2. Ventilate your space
Anyone who has ever walked past a nail salon will be familiar with the harsh, unpleasant smell associated with the chemical products used in nail treatments.
Many of these products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can evaporate into the air and pose potential health risks, including everything from mild headaches and respiratory irritation to more severe reproductive complications. While these dangers are present for anyone who enters the salon, they are particularly amplified for nail technicians who are exposed to the fumes for extended periods of time.
To create a safe and comfortable working environment for nail technicians and clients, proper ventilation is key. “This can range from an open window to whole-salon air solutions. Good ventilation can help reduce the concentration of vapours in the air, with vapour extractors removing them,” NailKnowledge explains.
3. Stock up on PPE
The pandemic has long been over, so do you really need to invest in personal protective equipment (PPE)? The answer, of course, is yes! Having the proper PPE is an important part of running a risk-free nail salon and keeping your staff safe.
In fact, during your training as a nail technician, you should have learned about COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations, which require the use of PPE in the workplace.
As we’ve already touched upon, the chemicals in nail care products can pose a major threat to human health. Providing PPE like gloves, masks, and eye protection for staff will help to limit their exposure to these potentially harmful chemicals, reducing the risk of long-term health issues. Furthermore, it is recommended that you also offer these protective measures to your customers to mitigate any potential risks.
