Dear What Price Beauty?,

The risk of contracting a serious disease, such as AIDS or Hepatitis B, from a beauty salon procedure is very small. No disease transmission of this sort has been reported; however, if you do become infected, it will probably be a fungal or bacterial infection of the manipulated area instead, although the likelihood of these infections is also minimal.

So, what can you do to avoid infection at the beauty salons? Being informed can help you minimize your risk substantially.

Check for licensing: Make sure that your beauty salon and manicurist, pedicurist, waxer, etc. are licensed. If a license is not on display, then ask the salon and/or salon employee to show you their licenses before starting. If no license(s) is presented, then try another beauty salon instead.

Get a feel for the beauty salon: Inspect the area carefully before getting serviced. Alice suggests the following list of questions to help guide you:

• Is the general overall appearance of the beauty salon tidy and sanitary?
• Are all of their supplies clean and orderly?
• Are all instruments stored in and removed from a disinfectant solution in front of the client immediately before use?
• Is the disinfectant clear and free of debris?
• Do the towels look fresh and clean?
• Is the trash properly discarded in covered wastebaskets?
• Is the working environment smoke-free and well lit?
• Do the beauty salon employees wash their hands right before attending to each client and/or service?
• Do they ask customers to wash up as well?
• Is a new emery board being used for each client?

The answers to all of these questions should be "yes." If you do not feel comfortable for any reason, go with your instincts and look for another salon that's more acceptable to you.

Whenever possible, avoid procedures that could break the skin and cause bleeding: For example, instead of cuticle trimmings, opt for using a cuticle remover lotion, or pushing the cuticles back instead of cutting them. Also, stick with a dermatologist for removing your corns and calluses.

To further minimize health risks, buy your own manicure or pedicure kit: Have the salon employee use your personal kit, which can be purchased inexpensively, every time you get a manicure or pedicure. Also, be sure to clean and sanitize your set of instruments after every use.

Following a visit to the beauty salon, if you experience redness and/or swelling in any treated area(s), it would be wise to purchase antibacterial ointment at a drug store and follow the directions for use. If the infection persists for more than three days and/or becomes worse, see a health care provider.

Alice