6 essential questions to ask your nail technician before getting service

In today’s incredible booming spa and salon environment, too many clients assume that they are receiving safe, sanitary services performed by competent and trained professionals. However, this may not always be the case. We hear more and more horror stories regarding injury or permanent damage emerging from the beauty industry every day.

Most of us wouldn’t buy a house or a car without asking the salesperson for very specific details; nor would we visit a doctor or dentist without researching their credentials. So, why are we so careless about our personal safety when we visit a spa or salon? One of the central reasons many fail to attend to their personal safety in the salon or spa is that most clients don’t know what to ask their technicians. In order to understand the different levels of expertise and professionalism that should accompany any safe salon or spa experience, some key issues should be addressed.

Now you can arm yourself with a short list of essential questions to ask before you receive your services.

1) Where did the nail technician receive his/her training or education?
It may be surprising but not every country in the world requires nail technicians to be licensed; many are also not required to take a professional course. Even countries with strict educational requirements still have untrained technicians working in salons. Ask to see proof of a license or a diploma from an accredited facility (both of which should be prominently displayed in clear view). Not so great answers to your question include: “I taught myself” or “my sister taught me”. Neither of these answers should leave you assured that this technician has received the comprehensive training required to perform your services. Accredited courses will have covered such important theory such as anatomy, disease and disorders, and proper sanitation as well as a thorough understanding of the science behind the practical applications of acrylic or gel enhancements. A great school to learn the art & science of nail technology is The Academy of Nail Design where they offer both in class nail courses and nail programs and online nail courses and programs. Great nail techncian training.
2) Does your nail technician complete a full client assessment before performing your service?
Assessments often surprise most clients because they can’t believe that something as simple as taking a brief medical history is so often overlooked the nail industry. Did you know that if you are diabetic your nail services, especially pedicures must be altered completely? Were you aware if you have ever have had an allergic reaction to acrylic or gel you should avoid wearing that particular type of enhancement again – even after the reaction has cleared? Other important issues that arise from client assessments, and could drastically affect your services, are your medications. And, of course, you will want to be asked about your past services, what you liked and disliked about these services, and any problems that arose during past services. These are all very important questions and issues that your nail technician should be aware of and asking you about before beginning your service in order to assure your safety and satisfaction.

3) What are their sanitation procedures and how do these procedures work?
Not only do you want verbal assurances that the equipment and implements that are being used on you have either been properly disinfected/sterilized (or new) as required by law, but telling you just isn’t enough, any qualified technician should be more than proud to walk you through their sanitation procedures.



4) Do the products they use in their services contain any recently banned ingredients?
There have been several cosmetic ingredients that have come under fire in Europe and North America in recent months and some of the banned ingredients are present in nail products. Is your technician using these products? A knowledgeable technician will have researched the latest restrictions and be able to provide alternatives.



5) How do they disinfect their foot baths?
Foot baths are subject to the most recent controversy due to improper cleaning and disinfecting procedures. How does this salon disinfect the basin area of the foot bath in addition to the pipes and the drainage valve, where most of the bacteria builds up? What are they doing to ensure that the baths are safe?

6) Do they use disposable files and buffers?
Does your technician re-use cardboard files and buffers? Does he/she open a drawer full of used files and grab the closest one to file your nails? These files are contaminated and chock-full of bacteria. These are ‘one time use’ items only, as they cannot be disinfected nor sterilized. Health regulations require that one time use implements are to be discarded after each client.


The expertise and professionalism of your nail technician revolves around your safety—it is very important that you be aware of and ask the basic questions as this will improve your service and your spa/salon experience. Once the questions have been asked and you are satisfied with the answers it is now time to relax and fully enjoy your salon or spa visit.