First-Aid Fundamentals |
For the safety of both technicians and clients, every salon should have a first-aid kit on hand just in case any injuries occur. According to the American Red Cross, here are some of the basic supplies you should keep in the kit:
- 2 absorbent compress dressings
(5 by 9 inches)
- 5 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards by 1 inch)
- 5 antibiotic ointment packets
- 5 antiseptic wipe packets
- 2 packets of aspirin
- 1 space blanket
- 1 breathing barrier with one-way valve
- 1 instant cold compress
- 2 pairs of nonlatex gloves, size large
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets
- Scissors
- 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
- 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (3 by 3 inches)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (4 by 4 inches)
- Oral thermometer (nonmercury/nonglass)
- 2 triangular bandages
- Tweezers
- First aid instruction booklet
No one wants to break out the first-aid kit, but it becomes essential when there’s an accident or injury. “If you cut someone in the salon, you must have the equipment to deal with it,” says Vicki Malo, president of the North American School of Pedicuring in Toronto, Canada, and member of the International Pedicure Association advisory board. “Make sure you have gloves and bags for disposal to manage any blood spill. If you cut someone, put on gloves immediately—then take care of the client.”
*Source: cdc.gov/niosh/topics/eye
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Eyewear Goggles and protective eyewear are real eye-savers when you’re working with enhancement products. “I’ve been a manicurist for more than 30 years, and I always use safety glasses when nipping back loose acrylic product,” says Mary Kutsch from Mary’s Nail Station at dyeVersity salon in Las Vegas. “Many years ago, I had a tiny piece of acrylic fly into my eye, and it felt like a boulder. Before I started the service, I had thought, 'It’ll just take a second; I don’t need to put on the glasses.’ I have never been in that much of a hurry since.”
Eyewear can also protect you when using both hand and electric files. “I haven’t seen many nail techs use eye goggles, but it’s coming,” says Malo. “During filing, the dust becomes airborne and can be an irritant to eyes, not to mention pieces of acrylic or gel. If you think about it, our faces are about one foot away from products.”
Masks We’re not talking about those luxurious concoctions you apply to clients’ hands and feet—for a nail tech, a face mask is necessary to block out all of the particles and fumes that can accumulate in a salon, particularly if the salon’s ventilation system isn’t top-notch. “Even 10 years ago, we weren’t as concerned with dust from filing,” observes Malo. “But it becomes airborne and we breathe it in—and no one knows the long-term effects associated with this. If you’re doing 10 sets of nails every day, then wearing a mask is a good idea.” She notes that nail techs should explain to clients why they’re using a mask and have extras ready for clients who might also be concerned about breathing in fumes or dust. “Again, make sure it’s medical-grade,” Malo emphasizes. “Some of the paper masks out there aren’t sufficient.”
“I’ve been doing nails for more than 25 years, but after my first six months, I became allergic to dust of all kinds, including nail dust,” says Studesville. “After 10 years of sniffling and sneezing, I got smart enough to wear a dust mask when doing acrylics, fiberglass and gels, and I haven’t had any problems since. I recommend a dust mask to all nail techs.”
Chances are, if you’re a nail technician, you love doing nails and want to keep doing them for many years to come. Protective equipment can help you realize this goal by ensuring that an allergy, reaction, injury or condition doesn’t cut your career short. If you’re not already using some protection in the salon, consider whether you’re putting yourself in harm’s way unnecessarily—and how you can best prevent potential dangers from affecting you. Once all of your safety concerns have been addressed, you can sit back and do what you do best: create fabulous nails every day!
Tracy Morin is a freelance writer and editor based
in Oxford, MS.
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