Are Beauty Salon Chemicals Worth The Risk?

The following warning came in an article in The New York Times dated May 11, 2015 regarding manicurists. Below are some excerpts:

“Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ordered emergency measures on Sunday to combat the wage theft and health hazards faced by the thousands of people who work in New York State’s nail salon industry. “Effective immediately, he said in a statement, a new, multiagency task force will conduct salon-by-salon investigations, institute new rules that salons must follow to protect manicurists from the potentially dangerous chemicals found in nail products, and begin a six-language education campaign to inform them of their rights…. “Under new rules, manicurists must wear gloves to reduce the risks of contracting skin conditions, such as fungal infections and warts, and developing burns from handling chemicals. “The plan will also require masks, though occupational health experts say the hospital-style masks that manicurists sometimes wear give only the appearance of safety. Such masks do almost nothing to prevent exposure to chemicals, such as dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde that are used in nail products and have been linked to leukemia and fetal defects. The salons will be required to be ventilated, to reduce the chemical fumes….” Read the full article.

Rev. Malkmus Comments

Thirty-five years ago I was selling a health insurance policy for small business owners when the insurance company I was employed by stopped allowing me to sell a policy to people who worked in a nail or hair salon. They said they were having too many claims coming from people who worked in these salons. That was no problem for me because every time I was in one of these salons, the chemical odor was so intense I could hardly breathe and couldn’t wait to get out. And then there have been the letters coming from people who had developed physical problems from these chemicals and hair dyes wanting to know if the Hallelujah Diet would help relieve their symptoms. My suggestion to you ladies, God made you beautiful just the way you are, and any attempt by you to help make you more attractive through the use of these chemicals can often lead to unnecessary health problems. You can’t improve on God!