Clean Beauty

We're aware of microbes at the salon and spa now more than ever. Here’s how to make sure you leave your next appointment with nothing but a gorgeous glow.

- Deanna Pai

If early COVID-19 times had you stocking up on disinfectant and hand sanitizer, Join! The! Club! And while it might seem a little extra, erring on the side of caution isn't a bad thing-especially when you're getting a haircut, mani-pedi, or facial.

In fact, salons can harbor harmful pathogens, per a study in the journal Infection and Drug Resistance. The good news? There is some oversight within the industry. "All salons are required to go through a 'new business' inspection prior to opening," says Mark Walters, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State, which oversees nail and hair salons and spas. "After licensure, they're subject to inspections to assure compliance with cosmetology laws and regulations." These happen at least once every two years.

If it's your first visit, it's a good idea to confirm the license status of your technician. (You can often find a directory on your state's Department of State website.) While most violations have to do with licensing issues, he says, salons and spas can also get dinged for unsanitary conditions.

Then call ahead. "It's a red flag if a nail salon avoids answering questions about their cleaning practices," says Jin Soon Choi, celebrity nail technician and founder of JINsoon nail spas in New York City. The same goes for hair salons and spas. With that in mind, we asked the experts what to watch out for to stay as safe (and healthy!) as possible.

AT THE Hair Salon