Finding a Good Manicurist

Is the shop licensed? All nail salons in California must be licensed and prominently display their licenses. Manicurists must post their own licenses at workstations.

* Are the premises clean? Look at floors, towels and table covers. Is there hot and cold running water? Are the bathrooms clean and well-supplied?

* Does the manicurist have good personal hygiene? Operators must wash their hands with soap and hot water before performing any service and between customers.

* Are supplies properly discarded? Any manicure tool that touches the customer but cannot be disinfected--such as an emery board--must be thrown away after use.

* Are hazardous chemicals being used? Avoid toxic polish removers containing acetonitrile and beware of illegal use of liquid methyl methacrylate, banned for cosmetic use by the FDA but still used by some to make thin, strong false nails. Ask what chemicals are being used. If you don’t get a straight answer to this or other questions, find another salon.

* Is there a lot of cutting? Whenever skin is cut, there is a risk of transmitting blood-borne diseases such as the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS. Most health officers and industry enforcers suggest patrons refuse to have any part of the hand or foot cut or trimmed in any way. Especially hazardous are callus blades, which are illegal here.

* If you have a medical question: Contact the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery’s hot line at (800) 441-2737. For information or to file a complaint (names are kept confidential), write: Board of Cosmetology, P.O. Box 944226, Sacramento, Calif. 94244-2260.