Hidden Health Hazards in Summer Beauty Treatments

Accidents can happen, but disasters like Paula Abdul’s staph infection and Brandie Glanville’s burnt face prove that even the most reputable and expensive spas and salons can put clients at major health risks with rushed and unsanitary practices.  Whether it’s knowing what to look for at a salon or what types of treatments are most prone to cause infection, if you (and your readers) are armed with some safety tips and some common hidden dangers before you go, hopefully the price of beauty won’t extend past the treatment’s monetary costs and cost you a day (or week!) indoors with a rash, burn or an infection. 

· Waxing: Double dipping can contaminate - Make sure your waxer uses a new stick every time and wears gloves. Most wax centers use traditional hard or strip wax (AKA honey wax), which sounds natural but is damaging to skin and can burn you if heated too hot by a careless waxer. To avoid the risk of redness, burns and irritation, seek out a center that uses new all-natural elastic wax, made of beeswax and essential oils. It’s applied at body temperature (not hot!) and removed without painful muslin strips. Uni K Wax Centers offer these all-natural, safe elastic treatments in locations throughout the country.

· Pedicures/Manicures: Infections like hepatitis C, staph and warts are transmitted by unwashed hands and unsanitary instruments. Watch for simple signs of cleanliness: Failing to spray down bowls or open brand new sealed instruments for each client means you’re at risk of infections left behind by previous guests. With pedicures, whirlpool footbaths have screens under the drains that trap debris and breed bacteria, so stick with plastic footbaths or washable bowls lined with a never-used plastic bag. And while Shellac polishes last a long time, know that they are filled with harsh chemicals that damage nails and may cause a reaction. If you’re sensitive, ask your nail tech for vegan polish and acetone free remover - both are safe and won’t dry out or break nails.

· Summer Hair Highlights: Beware of scalp burns and allergic reactions to chemical dyes, which can break hair or even cause it to fall out! For safety, ask your stylist for a “patch test” before trying a new style. They’ll test the dye on a small back section of hair to make sure it won’t cause damage. If your hair or scalp burns, hurts or tingles too much, skip the treatment. For those with eczema, past chemotherapy, sensitive scalps or other skin conditions, choose salons like Aveda or Mauricio that specialize in clients with sensitive skin.

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.