3 Hidden Threats at the Salon

Listen to this article

If you’re a frequenter of the salon, you’re probably no stranger of harsh smells. If you work in at one, those smells are part of daily life. You might wonder if it’s good to be breathing all of those chemicals. They can cause serious health complications, especially for salon workers.

Noxious Nails

Formaldehyde, butyl acetate, and toluene don’t sound like anything we want to be exposed to. However, these are common ingredients in many nail polishes and polish removers. Wearing nail polish that isn’t formaldehyde-free isn’t great, but it’s even worse if you’re coming into contact with it multiple times a day.

Many nail technicians suffer from headaches and dizziness as a result of inhaling the fumes from various nail products. They are even at elevated risk of cancer, liver disease, and asthma. Some studies show that skin conditions can become a problem, too. Dermatitis is a common complaint amongst the salon community.

Bloody Nose Blowout

Dangerous chemicals aren’t limited to nail products. The ever-popular Brazilian Blowout was revealed to contain formaldehyde, exposing salon workers to large amounts of this compound. Inhaling the fumes can cause respiratory irritation, from nosebleeds to nasal infections.

Even something as innocent as hairspray can cause problems under certain conditions. Imagine that coughing fit you get whenever you’re overzealous with your hairspray. Salon employees have to breathe that cloud of chemicals daily. It’s no wonder hairstylists face an elevated risk of asthma.

Collateral Beauty Damage

It’s not just salon workers who can suffer the consequences of chemical exposure. Studies show their unborn children can be affected.

Babies of salon workers are at higher risk of low birth weight and even birth defects. More troubling still, women who become pregnant while working around all these harmful substances have a higher rate of miscarriage.

As explained on the website operated by Jason D. Mills & Associates, injuries caused by hazardous substance exposure can be traced to the source. If you’re a hairstylist or nail technician, it’s not unlikely to have medical conditions traced back to your work.

Clean Alternatives

Whether you have regular appointments at the salon or work for one, clean options are a safer alternative. Formaldehyde-free variations of nail-polish and hair treatments are becoming more widely available.

The use of non-aerosol formulations can also decrease the dangers of inhaling chemicals. “Green” salons are also becoming a popular choice not just for customers, but for the staff as well.