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By Penny Fletcher
penny@observernews.net
RUSKIN - Sometimes, the best cosmetologists refuse to work.
Saying “no” to some clients- especially if contagious conditions are present- is the mark of a conscientious worker.
When a hairdresser sees head lice or their eggs (nits), state regulations say they must not touch that person’s head.
The same goes for contagious nail diseases, but not all technicians abide by the rules.
Even when a disease is visible, some local technicians will work on the customer anyway, covering fungus infections and moldy nails with coats of polish.
According to officials from the Florida Board of Cosmetology, polishing infected nails or toenails makes the condition worse because the polish traps the disease under the nail. They say these diseases are very contagious and technicians that work on hands and feet that are infected with them are taking the chance of spreading the disease to anyone else who comes into the shop.
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| Certified nail technician Naomi Randolph gives Doris Higgins a relaxing and safe pedicure at Bette’s Tip to Toe Salon at 102 First Ave. N.E. in Ruskin. As Naomi explains, only nail technicians who follow Florida Cosmetology Board specifications for disinfection, sanitation and safety are considered “safe.” Some area salons are spreading infections and fungus from one client to another because they don’t routinely comply with these specifications. |
Elena Badalamenti, a Russian-born, Missouri-trained nail tech, says when she moved to South County she was amazed at the number of people with infections and fungus. “These diseases can be spread easily if the exact proportions of medical cleansing solutions aren’t used or if implements aren’t sterilized properly for the right amount of time,” she said.
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| Penny Fletcher Photos
Elena Badalamenti lays out her sterilized implements at Sue’s Salon, 1647 Sun City Center Plaza in preparation for her next customer. Elena says she is very concerned about the people who come into her shop with infections they have picked up in nail salons that do not use proper disinfecting procedures. “When I see something contagious, I advise that person to see a physician. I will not work on them because I don’t want to take the chance of spreading the disease,” she said. |
Showing me how she sterilizes her scissors, clippers and metal files, and the drawers of orangewood sticks and cardboard files she uses on one client and throws away, Elena explains that in Missouri, she had to take 400 hours of class time to be eligible to take the exam. “That’s 150 hours longer than people must train in Florida,” she said.
“They really have to study to pass an exam there,” said Elena’s husband, Tony. “Looking through her textbooks I joked with her that she should just go on to medical school.”
Florida schools, however, can also produce good technicians. What really matters is whether they follow the rules and regulations they’ve learned.
Naomi Randolph says cutting corners is not an option. Her method differs some from Elena’s in that instead of throwing out her sandpaper files, foot brushes and orangewood sticks after each use, she cleans them and keeps them in plastic bags with each customer’s name. That way each regular customer has her own personal kit.
Naomi also takes a refresher course every two years and consistently seeks out new information and techniques even when board certification doesn’t require them. Although she owned her own shop for many years, she now chooses to work in Bette’s Tip to Toe Salon, a long-time Ruskin business.
“If customers know what to look for, there’s less chance of them allowing something that can be dangerous,” Elena said.
The technician should not use implements that cannot be sterilized in medical-strength solution on more than one person, and must sterilize foot and hand washing bowls and towels properly with very hot water and disinfecting liquid soap.
The best defense is to know the regulations and if someone is breaking them, to call them on it. If they don’t sanitize and disinfect properly, leave the shop and call the complaint line at the Department of Professional Regulation in Tallahassee, (866) 532-1440.
“People need to know what’s allowed and what’s not,” Naomi pointed out. “We aren’t supposed to ever shave feet with razors.”
That surprised me since three out of four shops I have visited in the last five years have used razors on my heels and calluses. So when I got home, I checked it out with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Cosmetology Inspection Regulation.
Naomi and Elena are right. Razors aren’t allowed. That means I have been to several shops that are breaking the law right here in South County and I know others have too.
I looked at the inspection form that’s available on line and called the department’s cosmetology spokeswoman, Alexis Antonacci.
“Tell people to watch for proper sanitation and disinfection. And don’t hesitate to ask to see the most recent inspection report,” Alexis said.
The problem with that, however, shop owners say, is that the inspector only comes once a year and does not stay long. “If he doesn’t see a violation, then it won’t be on the report,” said Bette Taylor, long-time owner of Bette’s Tip to Toe Salon. “That’s why we need to be certain of the people we have working in our shops,” she explained. “The nail technicians are in business for themselves so they are responsible, but everyone who comes into our shop is important to us.”
Before Elena will give a manicure, she has her clients go into the restroom and wash their hands with liquid soap. That way each person starts with clean hands and no one touches the soap as they would with a bar. “I leave my implements in medical-strength solution for 20 minutes. This is longer than is required. Then they are put in a sterile container until they’re used. I don’t even touch them with my hands,” she said.
So the next time you have your nails or toenails done in a salon, check out how your operator is preparing your solutions and ask whether the footbath has been sterilized.
If the regulations are not being followed, just get out of the chair and leave. Cheap manicures and pedicures aren’t worth the extra money it will cost to heal these fast-spreading infections.
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