SPRING 2022 BEAUTY SALONS Play it safe in the salon Whether you offer nail extensions or tanning, there can be dangers if you dont follow the rules The teeth-whitening industry has seen a huge surge in business, but only registered dental professionals can provide whitening treatment, regardless of the products used As spring gets under way and summer approaches, demand for salon treatments will increase as people start thinking about holidays in the sun. Whether you offer nail services, sunbeds or teeth whitening, however, there are some important messages to remember to ensure your clients and staff are safe. Some of the ingredients used in beauty products can be highly irritating to the skin even causing dermatitis so adopt good working techniques to minimise contact with harmful substances, and avoid leaks and spills. For some tasks, you may need to provide personal protective equipment, such as gloves and aprons. If contact is made with a harmful substance, remove the contamination promptly, wash and dry hands thoroughly, and moisturise. Some ingredients such as liquids and powders used in acrylic systems for artificial nails can cause skin allergies and asthma. Dust filings from artificial nails can also cause wheezing, chest tightness and asthma. Acrylic fumes can be a problem for some clients, causing headaches, dizziness and nausea. Always ensure the workplace is well ventilated and provide an extractor hood or down-draught table for nail work. The controls you need will depend on the task or treatment. If you own a tanning salon where sunbeds are available for use on the premises, or a business - such as a fitness centre or hotel - where sunbeds are provided and under your management or control, the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 applies to you. The act recognises that young people are at greater risk of developing skin cancer from over-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, so a sunbed business is legally required to prevent sunbed use by children. Make sure you are up to date with the latest detailed advice. The teeth-whitening industry has enjoyed a huge surge in business in recent years, but only registered dental professionals can provide whitening treatment, regardless of the products used. Credit: Sarah Noonan Trading Standards officer Image: Black Lollipop The maximum strength of hydrogen peroxide a dentist can use in providing cosmetic tooth whitening is 6%. Products that contain or release less than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide can be legally sold in Europe, but that does not mean unregistered individuals using them to provide tooth-whitening treatment are legal or safe. Make sure you know what the law states and what constitutes an offence. For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service