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The Manicure Pedicure Industry is Getting a Bad Rap

The other day I had a manicure at our local L.A. Nails in the mall. I needed a quick fix as I was scheduled for my photo shoot I’ve been telling you about. (more about that later) Anyway, Lena did a great job for only $17.00 + tip. I got a French manicure and was out the door 40 minutes later. Good price for good service!

“Manicure Pedicure Industry”

In the past couple of years California has gotten lots of press about bacterial infections, which seemed to be caused from unsanitary manicures pedicures. It always helps to have a celebrity stand up for a cause. Paula Abdul did that by testifying for tougher standards in California.

I did lots of digging, talked with the spokesman for the Barber/Cosmetology Board in the Department of Consumer Affairs; International Nail Tech Association and the spokeswoman who is pushing new legislation. My take on the issue? The industry is regulated already to a safety standard appropriate to keep you and I safe.

According to Teresa Chagoya, with the Santa Clara Public Health Department, they received about 180 calls from doctors or patients who reported lesions or other indications of infection after receiving pedicures or manicures at local salons.

Curiously though, Chagoya said, 68% of the complaints originated from just 3 salons. There are over 35,000 licensed salons there. Can you imagine how many manicures and pedicures are done daily?

Let me ask this;

Have you ever had a problem with infection after a manicure pedicure?

Do you know anyone who has contracted a bacterial infection from having a manicure pedicure?

Can you try to estimate how many women get manicures and pedicures every day?

What I found was that the media and those who may benefit from more legislation would have us believe we are putting our health at risk anytime we receive a manicure or pedicure.

Come on, Paula give us a break, you are no more at risk to contract a health problem when getting a manicure or pedicure than you are when visiting a hospital, or at your doctors office.

All that is going to happen with this type of legislation is a bunch of new bureaucrats and hassle for salon owners. If we are going to spend more money for legislation, lets put our bucks in energy or schools.

Here are some logical precautions to take when choosing to get a manicure
or pedicure:

• Take note of the cleanliness of the salon and staff. Believe what
  your eyes and gut tell you. What you see is what you get.
• DO NOT SHAVE your legs before getting a pedicure. (The Nail
  Industry strongly recommends this one. Nicks or even too close of a shave can leave you vulnerable to infection.)
• Cuts on your fingers can also leave you vulnerable to infection.
• If you want to check if your local salon has any citations for not meeting
  industry requirements on sanitation, call your local Barber/Beauty Board.
• If you go often, you can always invest in a good manicure set and bringing it to each appointment.

A manicure or pedicure is a small luxury within reach for most of us. I do not believe we are putting our health at risk in giving ourselves this luxury. I will pay $17.00 for a French manicure, and massage. The price will go up if more legislation is put into effect. How much more are you willing to pay?

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Barb Quinn on Google+  

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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Price is no Indicator of Performance on Hair Care and Beauty Products

Hat tip to John Stossel’s “Myth busting” articles. In the multi-billion-dollar anti-aging cream industry, many consumers believe the most expensive product is the most effective. ABC News did an anti-aging cream comparison piece recently, with the help of a group of women, in their 30’s and 40’s looking to reduce wrinkles and perhaps age a bit more gracefully.

One volunteer, Christine, was sent to try the most expensive anti-aging cream she could find: Cle de Peau Beaute, La Crème, an anti-aging cream, ringing in at an astounding price of $450 per ounce. Christine was placed on a strict skin care regimen for three months using a gentle cleanser, sunscreen and La Crème every day.

Meanwhile, another volunteer, Kelly, would follow a similar regimen including the prescription cream Avage at one-fifth the price. Avage contains retinoids that are approved by the FDA and clinically proven to change the structure of the skin. Three months later the women returned to a skin care expert for review and as expected, the cheaper anti-aging cream product had good results. But the high-priced cream showed no visible improvements. I find that this is also true of almost all hair products as well.

The Cle de Peau’s manufacturer sent us a statement saying that their products are extensively researched and tested for efficacy before being put on the market, but wouldn’t share their research with ABC News, citing trade secrets. I don’t know about you but, I’m really getting tired of this corporate happy talk from companies who produce and sell cosmetic and beauty products to women. A big attaboy to John Stossel and the ABC news team.

Bottom line: Price is no guarantee and the best wrinkle cream may already be in your medicine cabinet — sunscreen.

For more information visit:

• John Stossel’s ABC News Special
• Ratings of top 25 Anti-Aging Creams
• The Avage Website
• A great anti-aging site

Barb Quinn on Google+  

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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Now You Read Ending Hair Style Struggles Offline Too

I’m really excited . . . after long last my collaboration with Harris Publication has become a reality. My new regular feature article “Barb’s Hair Blog” is on page 44 and 45 of the most recent edition #46 of Color & Style magazine now available on your news stand.

Looks like each edition of the Harris Publications from now on will feature a variety of my recent articles from the Ending Hairstyle Struggles Weblog. It is a win-win for everybody Harris Publications will be providing a connection to its young tech savvy demographics, by an online presence that is really important to traditional publishers these days.

If you are a regular reader of hubby’s weblog “Financial Freedom Online” you’ve been following his commentary of the decline of traditional publishers. The world is getting its informational needs fulfilled in front of a computer screen as well as newspapers, TV, radio, magazines, etc. all of whom have seen declines in subscribers. You who are reading this right now are perfect examples of what is happening all across the globe. A year ago you were most likely getting your hair styling news fix only from a magazine.

Harris isn’t the only one who benefits here, of course I benefit from lots of new readers from the magazine who are interested in staying abreast of new developments in hair styling online. Its kind of scary seeing yourself in print for the first time. No picture of me yet, If you are a regular reader you’ve followed the new photo saga. (You’ll all be pleased to know that I’ve finally set the appointment with the photographer next week). I’ll post more about that experience next week after the appointment. I had no idea that the whole thing would be this unnerving, don’t you just hate having your picture taken?

Barb Quinn on Google+