BIAB Nail question…

[FactFile1]

I’ve been having BIAB nails now for around 6 months. I have noticed that the nail tech that I go to doesn’t seem to use new tools, the drill etc doesn’t sterilise the cuticle clipper etc. Should she be using new / sterilised items? I pay £45.00 each time, she does it from home in her spare room. Her work is really good and it lasts but the hygiene side of it worries me that I’ll get an infection / problems …. Is it quite common practice or should I look elsewhere?

Hi, nail tech here. Yes your nail tech should absolutely be using sterilised equipment as you are at risk of infection etc otherwise.. How do you know she’s not sterilised them? Are they visibly dirty? I wouldn’t imagine she’d have an autoclave if she’s working from home but at the very least she should be scrubbing and soaking her tools in barbicide (a blue solution) Hand files I either give out to clients at the end of a service or keep them in a named envelope for their next appointment.

Ask her what her practices are and also would check that she’s qualified and insured.

Never thought about it. Mine puts some tools into a little glass with pink solution in. But the nail file is just one out of the pot.

Yes she should! My nail tech is scrupulously clean and I would walk right back out of someone came near me with used/unsterilised tools. Mine also works from her home, she's properly qualified and charges me between £45 - £75, depending on what I want.

I once got a horrid infection from a walk in salon when I was younger. I'd never, ever allow someone to touch my nails/cuticles with unhygienic tools again.

Thanks everyone, nothing that I have seen which does worry me. She has a pot of tools which she just gets out and uses and places back in. She is very good at what she does, I’m always really happy with the results but this part of her work does worry me. There is no time between clients either, each time I’ve got there I’m waiting and go straight into the spare room after the previous client so there isn’t any clearing after, she just gets a new tissue roll and swaps that over. I’ve not seen anything but perhaps she gives things a quick spray when she can? Would that be enough? The drill bit end always looks well used too but perhaps that isn’t something that gets replaced each time?

I would like to hope she has more than one pot of tools and maybe swaps them over before the next client.
If she’s been trained for a number of years then I’m sure it was acceptable in years gone by to give tools a quick spray of sanitiser in between clients provided there were no nasties lurking on the fingers of the previous client.
The drill bits being a bit worn isn’t a huge issue, they get replaced when they are deemed less effective at the job. Provided they’re clean it’s fine. Sanding bands should be replaced between each client. They’re the ones that literally look like a bit of sandpaper.

I would not be happy with that at all. My tech leaves room for proper clean up between appointments, nothing looks used and she doesn't just pop things back in for the next client. I'd question her on it definitely, at the very least.