Is It Actually Safe to Get a Manicure During COVID-19?
Nail salons, once a go-to destination for relaxation and beauty, now face intense scrutiny due to the demands of COVID-19 safety. The pandemic has reshaped the entire salon experience, raising essential questions for customers, employees, and business owners about health protocols and personal risk. Below, we break down the expert perspective, new industry guidelines, real customer experiences, and practical advice for anyone considering a visit to the nail salon during the ongoing pandemic.
Why Are Nail Salons Considered High Risk?
Nail salons present unique challenges for infection control due to:
- Close physical proximity: Manicurists and clients must share the same space, often for extended periods.
- High-touch surfaces: Tools, polish bottles, counters, and communal magazines can host viral particles if improperly sterilized.
- Community spread history: Notably, one of California’s first community outbreaks was linked to a nail salon, prompting ongoing scrutiny.
This combination of conditions means every visit carries a degree of risk, which varies depending on local infection rates and how strictly each salon adheres to recommended guidelines.
Expert Guidance: How Should Nail Salons Operate Post-COVID?
Dr. Peter Gulick, infectious disease expert at Michigan State University, outlines critical protocols for reducing risk:
- Surface disinfection: Every shared surface must be cleaned with EPA-approved disinfectants between customers.
- Tool sterilization: Reusable implements must be treated in an autoclave after each use; single-use items should be disposed immediately.
- Use of PPE: All staff and customers must wear facial coverings. Nail technicians should additionally don gloves, masks, and ideally, face shields. Proper usage and disposal is crucial for effectiveness.
- Ventilation: Improved air circulation helps reduce the risk of airborne transmission, although not all salons can immediately upgrade HVAC systems.
Personal Protective Equipment: What’s Required?
For the highest level of safety, salons should follow the following PPE recommendations:
- Clients: Well-fitted cloth or medical masks from entry to exit.
- Technicians: Gloves changed after each service, surgical masks or, preferably, N95 respirators, and plastic face shields.
It’s not enough to simply wear PPE—they must be used correctly. Staff should undergo training on safe donning, removal, and disposal procedures to avoid contamination.
Social Distancing and Salon Layout
Maintaining six or more feet of separation between clients and between workstations is now standard protocol, according to experts. This often requires a complete reconfiguration of the salon’s floor plan and a dramatic reduction in the number of clients served at one time. For smaller salons, accommodating only one client at a time may be necessary to ensure compliance.
Customer Experiences: What It’s Like Inside Reopened Salons
Despite anxiety, some clients have cautiously returned to salons. Their stories offer practical insight into the new reality:
- Demy, Columbus, Ohio: Her salon used disposable items for everything—from hand mats to powder scoopers—and strictly enforced mask usage. Single-use items replaced any tools that could potentially carry infection. The only noticeable change? No more hand massages during manicures, eliminating prolonged direct contact.
- Sarine, Atlanta, Georgia: Upon arrival, she was provided a mask and asked to sign a waiver affirming the absence of recent COVID-19 symptoms. Such waivers are increasingly common as salons shield themselves and screen clients.
Safety Innovations
Some salons are going above and beyond basic protocols, integrating extra layers of protection, including:
- Employees trained extensively in PPE usage.
- Frequent hand sanitation stations available throughout salons.
- Use of hospital-grade disinfectants and autoclaves for tools.
- Elimination of communal magazines and non-essential items.
New Cleaning Protocols and Hygiene Measures
Salon hygiene has always been crucial, but COVID-19 has forced a transformation in cleaning frequency and intensity:
- Hourly deep cleans: Surfaces, door handles, bathrooms, and client stations are disinfected every hour or between clients.
- Double-cleaning pedicure basins: Using hospital-grade disinfectants like CaviCide ensures basins are safe for each user.
- Single-use disposables: Buffers, pumice stones, and files are discarded after each use.
- Autoclaves for metal tools: Instruments undergo medical-standard sterilization after every service.
- Constant hand washing: Staff and clients alike are reminded to wash hands thoroughly between every service.
These standards are essential, yet PPE supplies (especially surgical masks and N95 respirators) often present challenges due to nationwide shortages.
How Are Nail Salons Managing the Business Impact?
Enhanced safety measures come at a cost—both financially and operationally. Here’s what you should expect:
- Fewer appointments: Social distancing and longer cleaning intervals mean salons accommodate far fewer clients daily, often only by appointment.
- Higher prices: Expect increased charges for services, reflecting the additional expenditure on PPE, cleaning supplies, and reduced occupancy.
- COVID surcharges: Many salons now add a separate fee (e.g., $3) to cover the cost of single-use tools and extra sanitation.
- Longer wait times: With limited slots and extended cleaning windows, you’ll need to plan ahead and be prepared for possible delays.
Shifts in Service Offerings
Salons have eliminated quick, in-and-out polish changes, favoring longer, carefully scheduled appointments. Services involving prolonged close contact—such as hand massages—are temporarily suspended in many locations.
Checklist: What to Ask Before Booking
To maximize safety and peace of mind, contact your salon ahead of time and ask:
- What cleaning and disinfecting protocols are in place?
- How do they sanitize reusable tools? Are single-use disposables implemented?
- Are staff properly trained in PPE usage and hygiene?
- Is social distancing enforced, and how is the layout adjusted?
- What procedures are in place for symptom screening or waivers?
- Are appointments staggered, and are walk-ins allowed?
- Are prices and surcharges clearly stated before booking?
If the salon cannot answer these questions confidently, consider waiting before booking an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is it safe to get a manicure right now?
A: Safety depends on strict adherence to recommended guidelines, including surface sterilization, PPE use, social distancing, and symptom screening. No setting is risk-free, but responsible salons minimize hazards by following best practices.
Q: What changes should I expect during my salon visit?
A: Expect mandatory mask usage, symptom screening forms, possible COVID surcharges, longer appointment windows, spaced-out seating, and the disappearance of shared magazines. Some services, such as hand massages, may be temporarily unavailable.
Q: What are the risks if my nail salon doesn’t follow guidelines?
A: Non-compliance increases your risk of virus exposure via shared surfaces or close contact. Only visit salons you trust to uphold strict sanitation standards, and do not hesitate to leave if you feel unsafe.
Q: Should I bring my own mask and sanitizers?
A: Yes. Arriving prepared with a well-fitted mask (ideally medical-grade) and personal hand sanitizer offers an added layer of protection.
Q: Will nail salon prices increase due to COVID-19?
A: Most likely, yes. Costs for PPE and single-use tools, plus lower capacity, mean higher service prices and dedicated surcharges in many salons.
Table: Comparing Pre- and Post-COVID Nail Salon Practices
| Practice | Before COVID-19 | During COVID-19 |
|---|---|---|
| Client Mask Requirement | Optional | Mandatory |
| Staff PPE | Surgical Masks (sometimes) | Surgical/N95 Masks, Gloves, Face Shields |
| Tool Sterilization | Autoclave for metal tools, disposables for some | Strict autoclaving, all disposables changed per customer |
| Surface Cleaning | Daily | After each customer and every hour |
| Social Distancing | Not enforced | Workstations spaced 6+ feet apart, reduced capacity |
| Service Offerings | Full menu, quick walk-ins | Limited menu, no quick walk-ins, no lingering |
| Pricing | Standard | Higher, often includes COVID surcharge |
Conclusion: Navigating Nail Salon Safety in the Post-Pandemic World
As communities gradually reopen, the nail salon experience will never quite be the same. Vigilance—both on a personal and collective level—is key. By knowing what to ask, what to observe, and how to prepare, customers can make informed decisions about when and how to enjoy their favorite beauty services while protecting their health and the well-being of salon staff.
Additional Resources
- CDC Guidance: Review official guidelines for personal care services.
- Local Health Departments: Stay updated on regulations in your area.
- Salon Websites: Check for posted COVID-19 policies before booking.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe
The landscape may still be evolving, but your best protection is informed vigilance and honest communication with your beauty providers. Prioritize your safety, respect new rules, and support local businesses as they adapt to protect everyone’s wellbeing.
