The onset of Allergy Awareness Week got us thinking about the risks of allergic reactions in beauty salons – and what salon owners can do to prevent them. To help spread the word and make everyone’s salon experience safer and healthier, we decided to put together a quick, simple guide on how to spot the signs of an allergic reaction and which common allergens you need to be on the lookout for.
Who is Most at Risk of An Allergic Reaction in a Salon?
According to a study by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), there is a serious problem of people becoming allergic to one type of methacrylate. This is a key ingredient of most gel, gel polish, and acrylics used in nail salons.
Of those who do have an allergy, the study indicated that 60% develop it due to nail enhancements or eyelash treatments that make use of glue. 33% of those cases in the study were classified as ‘occupational,’ meaning they happened in the workplace. A large number of those were nail technicians.
In other words, both nail technicians and their customers need to be mindful of the risks of contact allergies. That said, it’s not just nail treatments that can trigger allergies. Some of the most common allergens you encounter in beauty salons can also be found in hair dyes, skincare products, and airborne chemicals – particularly for those with respiratory allergies.
What Causes These Allergies?
The risk of allergic reaction comes largely from uncured products (ones that haven’t been hardened by UV light) coming into contact with the skin. This is more likely to happen with home gel kits as salons tend to use higher-quality kits and apply them with more care. That isn’t to say these things never occur in salons; if your staff aren’t following best practices for health and safety, they can crop up.
What are the most common allergens in a salon?
- (Meth)acrylates in nail products
- Latex in gloves
- Preservatives and fragrances in skincare products
- Chemicals in hair dye, including paraphenylenediamine (PPD)
- Adhesives in eyelash extensions
Spotting the Signs of an Allergic Reaction
Being able to quickly recognise the signs of an allergic reaction is crucial if you’re going to preserve comfort and minimise the chances of serious complications.
For nail gels or acrylics, the most obvious signs include:
- Redness or swelling around the nails
- Nail loosening or lifting
- A rash appearing anywhere on the body (not just the point of contact)
- Shortness of breath in severe cases
For other common allergens in salons, symptoms might include:
- Itchy, red, or swollen skin
- Watery or irritated eyes
- Sneezing and nasal congestion (a sign of respiratory allergies)
- Coughing, wheezing, or breathing difficulties
How to Make Your Salon Safer
Remove inhibition layers with care
Removing the gooey residue from gel nails after curing (also known as the inhibition layer) needs to be done carefully to prevent the product from spreading onto the skin. Going in size order, starting with the smallest finger first, have your staff wipe from the cuticle to the free edge so they don’t drag liquid or gel onto the client’s skin. Make sure to switch to an entirely new pad between hands.
Make sure you wear gloves
Avoiding skin contact with chemicals is a must. Wearing nitrile gloves of at least 8mil or 0.19mm thickness is essential if you want to reduce exposure. Opting for nitrile instead of latex reduces the chances of your staff or customers having a reaction to the gloves themselves, too.
Use a suitable UV lamp
Curing gels and acrylics correctly is a big part of helping to avoid allergic skin reactions to your products. Using the right UV lamp ensures that products fully harden and brings down the risk of uncured chemicals coming into contact with the skin.
Use an approved extraction system
When it comes to health and safety in your beauty salon, acrylics and gels aren’t the only potential hazards. Many treatments give off potentially harmful dusts and fumes, which can trigger severe respiratory allergies. Ensuring you’ve got high-quality extraction systems in place will help to protect staff from common airborne allergens.
Above: A SalonAIR® extraction unit.
Ready to Make Your Salon Safer?
Protecting salon staff and clients is one of the core foundations of VODEX’s story. We’re motivated by the idea of reducing the number of airborne contaminants in your salon to make it a safer and more pleasant place to work and receive treatments.
The products in our beauty extraction range – including the VODEX SalonAIR® 1001 and VODEX SalonAIR® 1002 – are specially designed to protect everyone in your salon from inhaling potentially harmful fumes and dusts. If you’re looking to improve the health and safety in your beauty salon, there’s no better place to begin. If you want advice on which extraction system is right for you, feel free to get in touch with our team.
FAQs
What are the most common allergens in beauty salons?
Some of the most commonplace allergens in salons include methacrylate in nail products, latex in gloves, fragrances and preservatives in skincare products, and adhesives in other treatments.
How can my salon staff protect themselves from common allergens?
Wearing protective gloves, using extraction solutions, ensuring proper ventilation, and following best practices when handling chemicals can all help reduce the risk of occupational allergies.
What should a salon do if a client has an allergic reaction?
Stop the treatment immediately. For mild symptoms, rinsing the affected area and applying a cool compress might help. If any further complications occur, seek medical help by dialling 111 or 999 immediately.
Can respiratory allergies be triggered in beauty salons?
Yes. If the proper extraction systems and PPE practices are not in place, airborne chemicals, dust, and strong fragrances can trigger respiratory allergies. That’s why it’s crucial to do everything you can to prioritise the health and safety of both staff and clients.
Are there hypoallergenic alternatives for common salon treatments?
Many brands offer hypoallergenic nail gels and skin care products that are formulated without the more common allergens. Checking ingredient lists and offering patch tests can help you figure out which options are safe for particular clients.
