Magazine for the professional nail industry.
Issue link: http://nailsmag.epubxp.com/i/190368
INBOX Just My Opinion: Sanitation Expectations Have Changed The nail industry isn't what it used to be; it's better. In the past three to five years, I have seen the sanitation expectations of nail salons change drastically. As the owner and founder of The Nail Superstore as well as a licensed nail tech, I know how important sanitation is to salons and their customers. With the introduction of technologically advanced products and services, education, customer and salon owner awareness, and disposable products and competition, the standards for salon cleanliness have changed and improved. For years, sanitation in the nail salon industry was portrayed negatively in all types of media. Clients would get infections or get some kind of fungus. Because the market is growing so quickly, education has been refined and customers are becoming more knowledgeable and mindful about what salons they choose. They know what to look for and they notice the red flags they didn't five years ago. Disposable products are helping to keep salons and clients clean and safe too. It used to be true that salons would store regular customer's tools in containers until their next arrival. Doing that introduced the possibilities of contamination. Pipe-less pedicure spa systems have been introduced, and they have greatly contributed to many sanitation changes. They don't retain water inside the plumbing system, leaving no contaminated water inside the pipes. Health inspectors are putting more pressure on salons today as well. The competition between salons has completely grown. If one salon is not as clean as the other, customers will choose the cleaner salon. Salons are being forced to change and keep up with their competitors. Salons are fighting every day to stay up to par with sanitation requirements and trying to maintain positive client relationships. Salon owners used to take shortcuts when doing their routine sanitizing and cleaning but now they realize more than ever how damaging taking shortcuts can be. States were not as tough as they are now during routine inspections. Some salons would feature surprisingly low prices but that often meant poor quality products. I have personally seen the nail industry improve our sanitation expectations over the years and I believe nail services are more in demand than they have ever been. This can only mean more progress. Kevin Huynh owner and founder, The Nail Superstore Editor's Note: The Nail Superstore (www.nailsuperstore. com) offers a number of disposable items and other products that can help salon owners and nail techs improve their sanitation practices. I was shocked to see a certain photo made publication in your June issue. The photo, on page 60, is of rock star Shirley Manson posing obscenely. She probably didn't mean the gesture and you probably didn't think anything wrong of it. Being in the nail industry, hands are important and gestures can mean so much more. From the peace sign, to the thumbs up, to the middle finger, our hands speak loudly. I love your magazine but please research before publishing. What could be innocent in one culture could be offensive in another. Thanks and keep up the good work. Anne Ha Via e-mail INSTAGRAM www.instagram.com/nailsmagazine S i Senior editor for @nailsmagazine has been di f @ il i KLEUR'ed!! @salonfanatic @KLEUR We love these posts by @therapyboutiqueandnailbar that were inspired by our August 2013 (left) and 2012 (right) covers. NOVEMBER 2013 | NAILS MAGAZINE | 77