Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Babies in nail salons -

80 replies

HellKitty · 06/02/2015 14:16

  • not actually getting their nails done mind Confused

I've just walked past one of those Chinese/Korean nail bars and there were three buggies in there with sleeping babies in while, I assume, the mums were getting their nails done. It's a very small shop, no windows and quite a few (8+) techs working.

These places really smell of chemicals, you can smell it a good few shops away. I've used a place like this in the past for my nails and it takes a good 30 minutes start to finish.

Aibu in thinking it's not the greatest place for babies?

OP posts:
TerryTheGreenHorse · 06/02/2015 14:22

Are you serious.

Original poster
HellKitty · 06/02/2015 14:25

Yep. Serious.
I've worked in salons and remember the worries years ago for pregnant nail techs. I've left the industry and so have no idea of the dangers anymore but can't imagine it's a healthy environment.

OP posts:
MaximumVolume · 06/02/2015 14:26

I agree that there is generally a whiff of VOCs as you walk past those places (never been in one) & I imagine it isn't the most healthy place to be for little lungs.

ouryve · 06/02/2015 14:26

The fumes aren't at all great, but I suppose the mothers could have left their babies out on the pavement Hmm

MaximumVolume · 06/02/2015 14:28

ouryve it's hardly necessary to have your nails done if you can't get childcare, though is it?

Original poster
HellKitty · 06/02/2015 14:30

Argh! I didn't mean they should leave their babies on the pavement. I was just genuinely curious as to whether it's a good idea or not. I have teens, kind of out of touch now. Only just found out you get sleep suits with built in mittens.

OP posts:
BoomBoomsCousin · 06/02/2015 14:31

Even if the dangers to pregnant women were found to be significant, and translate into dangers for babies, and have not been addressed within the working environment, it is different to be in a place for half an hour once a fortnight, off to the side and sleeping, and to work 8+ hours a day bent over the chemicals as you work.

McSqueezy · 06/02/2015 14:31

I've brought my baby in once or twice, in the days where I've had no other time to do it. It takes about an hour at the most.

I don't really care what anyone else makes of that.

ScotsWhaHae · 06/02/2015 14:35

As long as your acrylics were looking good McSqueezy eh?

ouryve · 06/02/2015 14:39

I don't dispute that, Maximum, hence the. Hmm One of those situations where I couldn't work out how to convey the irony of the statement (given that I live somewhere where some people think nothing of leaving babies in prams outside shops with their dogs)

FTR, I've never set foot in a nail salon in my life. I trim them when they break and file them when they're jagged.

Are you wearing your plunge neckline dress, when you get them done, *McSqueezy?

ApocalypseThen · 06/02/2015 14:42

Women should be banned from any environment not proven beneficial to babies. Pregnant, bringing a child with them or not proven pregnant yet, it's a small price.

Keep women on the leash by guilting them about babies, that's what I say.

MrsTawdry · 06/02/2015 14:44

Oh stop being mean to OP. She's bloody right!! I wouldn't take a baby in one of those places. I feel like holding my breath when I walk past ours myself!

if she'd asked on here..."SHould I use a second hand cot mattress" you'd have all said NO!!! ARE YOU THICK!??

dexter73 · 06/02/2015 14:46

Are you wearing your plunge neckline dress, when you get them done, McSqueezy?*

What has what she is wearing got to do with having her nails done? Genuinely confused Confused

meglet · 06/02/2015 14:47

I judge it a little. The smell is pretty potent, I certainly wouldn't set foot in one.

AfroPuffs · 06/02/2015 14:49

The techs wear masks....that says it all really. Not sensible to have babies in this environment!

Original poster
HellKitty · 06/02/2015 15:06

Oh god. What have I started?! Seriously was only asking if it was a good idea or not, afaik you can't pre book in these salons so you go in on the off chance or wait. Baby or not.

And THAT dress will live on forever Shock

OP posts:
BoomBoomsCousin · 06/02/2015 15:06

It might say it all if you're scientifically illiterate Afro, but not if you want to know what the actual risks might be. For instance nail techs could wear those masks for other reasons - like to protect against the dust from filing nails. A hazard which is insignificant if you're just having your own nails done, but much worse if you're filing thousands a year.

Original poster
HellKitty · 06/02/2015 15:13

When I was 19 I worked in a place where resin and molds for sculptures were produced and it stunk but you got used to it. Only a regular customer decided to bring his 9 yr old daughter in to visit one day and she keeled over on the spot. I suppose I'm just going back to that. And DP has (mild) asthma and wouldn't set foot in one.

OP posts:
FightOrFlight · 06/02/2015 15:16

Was it actually necessary to say it was a Chinese/Korean salon? Why not just say nail salon ....

KingJoffreyObviouslyWatchesHol · 06/02/2015 15:16

I don't think it matters what you do as a parent.

Someone, somewhere, will judge you for it.

Wink
Original poster
HellKitty · 06/02/2015 15:20

Fight. Yes I do. The only other nail bars I have see have been one person in a hair salon or a small set up of one or two girls. In my area and my previous area the large set ups in small shops have been all Chinese/Korean. My former boss was Chinese and she also commented on it. This isn't a race row.

OP posts:
EdSheeran · 06/02/2015 15:21

I think YABU because they're not in there for long enough for it be of an hazard.

VegasIsBest · 06/02/2015 15:22

At least they were sleeping! My last two visits to a nail bar have had toddlers dancing around wanting attention. I wouldn't take my own kids to a nail bar and don't want to be bothered by other peoples.

LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 06/02/2015 15:22

You get high just walking past some of these places, there's no way in hell I'd take a baby inside for an hour. I've seen buggies (with babies asleep) inside them too, it's gobsmacking.

HorsesDogsNails · 06/02/2015 15:24

There is no risk to a baby or an adult in a Nail salon. The smell is caused by the liquid used for acrylics evaporating, it is a tiny amount of vapour in the air. There is no risk to pregnant women either. Some Nail Techs wear a mask to protect themselves from dust particles.

Do you really think if nail products carried a risk to human health they would be available for use in salons?! I'm a mobile Tech so I use acrylic and gel products in clients homes..... Oh, and gel products also give off vapours you just can't smell them. Smell alone is not a good indicator of how harmful a product is. Carbon Monoxide is the best example of that.....