Ever had a manicurist wearing a mask tend to you?

_Whimsical_

Did anyone see the recent articles in the New York Times about manicurists who have been made very ill with respiratory problems and increased miscarriage and deformities in children from the chemicals they're using at work?

Similar stories of illness and tragedy abound at nail salons across the country, of children born slow or “special,” of miscarriages and cancers, of coughs that will not go away and painful skin afflictions. The stories have become so common that older manicurists warn women of child-bearing age away from the business, with its potent brew of polishes, solvents, hardeners and glues that nail workers handle daily.

A growing body of medical research shows a link between the chemicals that make nail and beauty products useful — the ingredients that make them chip-resistant and pliable, quick to dry and brightly colored, for example — and serious health problems.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/nyregion/nail-salon-workers-in-nyc-face-hazardous-chemicals.html

It's pretty frightening. I've never had my nails done professionally but being a customer carries less risk than working in the environment of a salon all day. There was an article in an Irish mag about it this where they interviewed a salon owner and she said that manicurists have an option of wearing masks. Has anyone ever seen one tending someone wearing a mask???

Anyway I thought I'd post it because it deserves an airing to make people in that line of work more aware of potential problems or if you know someone working in that line you should bring it to their attention.

ams

I read the article too - its such a crap situation for those women to be in Its amazing too how it said that people in certain industries are under pressure to have their nails done which contributes to the problem.

I think the chemicals they spoke about in the article were in the application of acrylic nails and I've never had those applied myself.

GaGa21

I've had my nails done by girls wearing masks in the salon i go to. They mostly do the gel/acrylic nails so maybe they're more aware. But the owner has recently had 2 happy healthy children over the last few years so it's hard to know what to make of that article. But everyone should know the risks anyway.

lazygal

I've seen it in salons here. I get gelish done every three weeks and my manicurist never wears a mask. She said they have the option of it but it doesn't bother her. I guess women who are hairdressers would come into contact with chemicals too and have healthy babies.

PandaPoo

Pregnant nail technician here! I'm a housewife now and would only do my own, my friends and family or anyone who heard about me through them.

I mostly do acrylic because strangely enough I prefer them to gel, which would be a lot safer. The monomer used for acrylic is potent stuff. Then you're filing it and breathing in the dust. I'm definitely going to start wearing a mask and using gel more.

I was a receptionist in a beauty salon and one girl wore a mask, but everyone thought she should have a tinfoil hat to match!!

_Whimsical_

PandaPoo wrote: »

Pregnant nail technician here! I'm a housewife now and would only do my own, my friends and family or anyone who heard about me through them.

I mostly do acrylic because strangely enough I prefer them to gel, which would be a lot safer. The monomer used for acrylic is potent stuff. Then you're filing it and breathing in the dust. I'm definitely going to start wearing a mask and using gel more.

I was a receptionist in a beauty salon and one girl wore a mask, but everyone thought she should have a tinfoil hat to match!!

I hope the article didn't frighten you, good luck with the baby!

I would imagine that people might be a bit intolerant of someone wearing a mask in a salon but hopefully as this news filters out it will become more common and people will feel more at ease using one. It's just too risky to not do it just so you'll look good or so people won't think you're crazy.
I'm sure problems are relatively rare but still if it saved one person it's worth putting it out there.

cactusgal

The lady I go to (mani and pedi) always wears one. I'd find it odd if she didn't.

Lia_lia

I actually got my nails done today and the lady was wearing a mask. Tbh I thought it was because she had a cold and her manager made her wear it How wrong I am!

ratmouse

I often wonder about hairdressers being exposed to unsafe levels of chemicals like hair colour, peroxide,etc. The smell alone from said products can be a nuisance never mind the potential harm from repetitive involuntary inhalation.

Stheno

All the staff do in the place I go to if they are doing acrylic

molly09

I shellac done at the nail bar in jervis centre recently and 2 out of 3 staff were wearing masks

Miss_Lauren

Some of the technicians in the place I go to wear masks, and they seem to wear them regardless of the products that they are using.
I actually assumed it was to avoid catching a cold, or maybe they had one, but I guess not. It doesn't really bother me if they wear one or not.

molly09

Absolutely, I think any reports which highlights any danger or potential danger of any of the chemicals or equipment used in salons should be made available to all staff and any protective equipment like masks provided.