Consumer Tips for Nail Salons What should you check and observe when you visit your nail salon? Before you go, check your nail technician’s or cosmetologist’s license through the Division of Professions and Occupations at DORA. Prior to an appointment, you can verify a professional or business license by visiting www.dora.colorado.gov/professions​ and clicking “Search for License Information” to find disciplinary actions on record. This allows you to make an informed choice about the person providing your service. Make sure the person providing services holds the proper license. The law requires that the license is displayed for public viewing. You should see a license displayed on the wall as you enter the salon or an individual’s station. If you don’t see it, it’s okay to inquire about the license. The type of license should be for a cosmetologist or nail technician. Any other license does not cover those services. If someone refuses to talk about a license or won’t produce it, that’s an immediate red flag. It’s very possible the person is not licensed to perform the service. Take a look around. When you arrive at a salon, take the opportunity to observe the person performing the service you plan to receive and the overall activities in the salon. Are employees washing their hands? Are they washing clients’ feet when performing a pedicure? Are areas where services are provided clean and organized? Be responsible for your own health. If something in your health history might trigger a reaction or other problems, be sure to share the information with your nail technician or cosmetologist. These professionals are not allowed to ask about your health information. They perform their services based on what they can see and what you tell them. “Single-use” items mean single use. Items such as paper nail files, orangewood sticks, pumice stones, or foam flip-flops don’t survive the cleaning and disinfection process. If you see that these items are used or dirty, ask for a new, clean item. Multi-use tools that are metal and plastic must be cleaned and disinfected with each new client. If there is an appearance of lotion, skin, hair or anything that shows the tool hasn’t been cleaned or disinfected, it shouldn’t be used. Ask the cosmetologist or nail technician to clean and disinfect the item before it is used on you.

Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t look or feel right, trust your instincts and ask questions. If you become uncomfortable or experience unexpected pain, immediately interrupt or stop the service. Shaving is not recommended. If you are getting a pedicure, try not to shave your legs 24 hours prior to the service. This reduces your chance of infection from a dirty tool or item used during your service. If you have injuries, you may want to reschedule. If you have any cuts, blisters or other injuries prior to getting services, you may want to reschedule your visit. Even minor injuries can increase your risk of infection. Let us know! We educate licensees on rules and requirements by holding classes every quarter. This creates a safer business environment for consumers. However, you are our eyes and ears. If you think something doesn’t look or feel right, report it. We’ll take it from there and investigate. If we find a violation of law has occurred, we’ll post it on our website with any accompanying discipline. Consumer protection is our mission.