7 red flags to look out for when getting a manicure, according to salon owners

Patricia Reign, a licensed manicurist and the owner of Traveling Aura Mobile Spa in Florida, told BI that among the most crucial things to inspect for before getting a manicure is that the tools are correctly sanitized.

"Tools akin nail clippers, cuticle nippers, and pushers have to be taken from a clean, sealed packet — which frequently indicates the salon uses an autoclave, a professional-grade sterilization device," Reign said. "However, be cautious. Some salons may use these packets without sterilizing the tools."

She added that if the nail technician pulls tools immediately from a drawer, they may have been placed there following being used on another client.

Amy Ling Lin, CEO and originator of the nail-care brand and NYC salon sequence Sundays, told BI that misusing sanitization equipment, notably LED-light sanitization boxes, is fair as bad for clients as using dirty implements.

"For salons that use an LED ray sanitization box, justify no document towels are under the tool plates. Paper towels can obstacle the light, preventing appropriate sterilization of the tools," Lin said.

Reign told BI that different odors in a salon are a important red emblem health-wise.

"Any different or powerful odors in the salon could indication mediocre ventilation or the use of low-quality products, which power merge harmful chemicals," Reign said. "A salon have to be well-ventilated and liberated from overpowering chemic smells."

Jessie Pang, owner of New York-based endeavor Jessie P Nails, told BI that a messy workstation containing spilled nail products or individual items is among the biggest red flags to observe out for.

She stated to obtain note of any nail clippings, food crumbs, or stains remaining at the station.

"Cleanliness have to be the precedence at the station," Pang said.

High-quality salons volition typically use well-known, expert products, according to Reign.

"If the products being used are not plainly tagged or identifiable, this could be a sign that the salon isn't using professional-grade products," Reign told BI.

Don't hesitate to ask questions concerning any of the products a nail technician uses.

According to Kasia Pukeca, owner of Gloss Nail Co. in Florida, several salons don't recommendation complete manicures as part of services akin gel polish or dipping powder.

However, she stated things akin nail preparedness and cuticle attention are a must.

"There is no way to accomplish an ideal merchandise use if the nail dish and cuticles are improperly prepared," Pukeca said.

Monica Victoria, owner of Nail Garden Austin, encourages all salon goers to pay notice to any ache or discomfort they cognition during their manicures.

"Aggressive filing, cutting, or abrasion of cuticles or nails can guide to small cuts or tears in the skin, resulting in open wounds, infections, or long-term damage to your nails and the surrounding skin," Victoria said.

The finest way to evade long-lasting, unnecessary issues from assured techniques is to inform your technician to halt as shortly as possible.

"Promptly addressing these issues allows the technician to modify their method or correctly spotless and disinfect the area to forestall additional harm," Victoria told BI.

This narrative was initially published on April 22, 2025, and most lately updated on October 12, 2026.