The majority of nail and beauty salons in the Wellington regions aren’t disinfecting and storing nail tools to a safe level, Regional Public Health has revealed in a new report.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Annette Nesdale said the findings of a 2017 nail salon survey that was just released today are "concerning".
The survey covered 57 of an estimated 127 salons that offer nail services in Porirua, Kapiti, Hutt Valley and Wellington.
"We were hearing reports from the community, from GPs and podiatrists that people were getting infections in their nails.
"What we found was consistent with this and these places that people go to for fun aren’t necessarily safe," Dr Nesdale told 1 NEWS.
Just seven places were observed adequately cleaning nail tools – which requires scrubbing in hot, soapy water, disinfection, sterilisation and storage in a UV cabinet or single-use sealable bag.
The survey found salons with 'walk-in' services were over five times less likely to be adequately disinfecting equipment than salons with mostly booked-in services.
"With the absence of a bylaw, you can just set yourself up without any training. Cleaning a salon is not like cleaning your home - because of the tools used, the processing needs to be done really well," Dr Nesdale said.
She also said having a formal qualification that was awarded years ago is not enough as types of products and cleaning processes have changed.
The survey also states salons with an adequate number of staff with formal qualifications were three times more likely to have written cleaning schedules than those without an adequate number of trained staff.
Just 30 per cent of salons had a written cleaning schedule and 49 per cent had an adequate number of trained staff.
Some nail salons were observed not using single-use foot spa plastic liners, meaning clients could be exposed to skin infections even if disinfectant is applied and scrubbing is carried out.
Dr Nesdale said members of the community spoken to by Regional Public Health staff are often surprised to hear there is no regulation in place for the nail industry.
Lack of knowledge
The survey revealed one-fifth of the 57 salons talked to could not name any condition that could be contracted from a pedicure or manicure.
"Any procedures that break or pierce skin have the ability to cause injuries and infections," Dr Nesdale said.
She said Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, HIV and skin infections like Tinea and Athlete’s Foot are risks for clients being exposed to inadequately cleaned nail equipment.
The survey also found 46 per cent of salons do not ask clients about pre-existing conditions.
Dr Nesdale said there’s room for improvement across the spectrum, with small, boutique and mall salons all part of the survey.
"If anything, our survey underestimates the scale of the problem," Dr Nesdale said, explaining that 41 salons didn't respond to the survey request or declined or cancelled participation.
Officers from Regional Public Health and local councils educated salons where unsafe practices, including the use of heel blades, were reported or observed during the survey.
"They want to do the right thing, 93 per cent support regulation," Dr Nesdale said, with some salons sharing they’re concerned they’re getting a bad name from other businesses.
She said to make the nail industry safe compulsory training, national safe practice guidelines, regulations setting the minimum standard and an annual registration are needed.
"There’s many strands required to ensure this is safe going forward."
Dr Nesdale supported the call for national regulation but said in the meantime she welcomed a move from Hutt City Council to seek public feedback on the proposal of a bylaw to set health and safety standards for tattoo shops, beauty salons, cosmetic clinics, spas, skin piercing businesses and nail salons.
"We need to look at setting standards that protect customers so they can feel confident in the services they are purchasing," Hutt City Council’s environmental team leader Dean Bentley said.
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