Good salons will make sure that all of its instruments are clean. They will also administer sunscreen to make sure your hands are protected against repeated UV ray exposure. One other solution is to wear gloves with the fingertips removed, thereby shielding your hand from a good deal of exposure.

The staff should take great care in removing artificial nails so as not to damage the underlying nail. Think of the nail like a tree. If you remove its bark and layers, the tree will weaken from having too much taken away. So it is with nail removal, as cracks and thinning can occur if care isn’t taken when stripping away the outer layers.

Be wary of nail workers who are aggressive in trimming your cuticles, which serve as a barrier to the outer environment. Your health may be damaged if too much is stripped away.

It’s probably a good idea not to go more than twice a month to the nail salon. And even do-it-yourself nail kits for home use should be used prudently. While they offer less powerful UV exposure than salons, the chemicals used differ in their formulas and may require more time under the UV lights.

While it’s clear that the nail business in the United States will continue to grow, the number of discount houses and fly-by-night small operations should give those partaking of their services pause. We don’t tend to think of our hands as sensitive, but they are part of the skin that covers your body. Any exposure or damage to it could have ramifications for your health and well-being, so be cautious in your patronage of nail salons and make sure they are taking proper care and precautions against the industry’s dangers.