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Dear Childbirth Educator:
I just found out I am pregnant and I know
there are so many things I need to be concerned with that are
obviously more important than manicures and pedicures, but I am the
manager of a large spa and it is important that my nails always
look perfect. I am very concerned about inhaling the fumes in the
nail salon as well as the products used on my nails. The owner of
the spa has said I can limit the amount of time I spend in or near
the nail salon, but I still inhale the fumes regularly when I am
escorting clients or getting my own nails done. I know I sound very
spoiled but it is my job. How can I take precautions?
Lindsey Bratman
New York City, New York
Dear Lindsey,
If it part of your job, you are certainly
not “spoiled” since it is expected of you to look your
best and it may actually help you to look better on those pregnancy
days when you may not feel your best. Your clients at the spa
pamper themselves with all sorts of treatments (and you may want to
suggest to your employer that she consider catering to pregnant
women, a trend many salons are doing successfully here in Los
Angeles) and there is no reason you shouldn’t look and feel
as good as your clients do.
This list should help you when you are
being taken care of at the nail salon or spa:
l. You should be allowed a little extra
time for appointments to accommodate trips to the bathroom (due to
nausea or the ever shrinking bladder) and a few extra minutes of
massaging those swollen feet and ankles, with your
obstetrician’s permission. (Any woman with a history of blood
clots or varicose veins should not have massages.)
2. The salon needs to strictly adhere to
safety practices (sanitation, covering all trash cans, ventilation,
etc.) Each state has regulations for salons which can be found on
line.
3. Since you work for the spa, suggest
they provide extra pillows (with disposable covers), pedicure socks
(a few extra pennies will be well worth it in the long run), and
healthy snacks and non-caffeinated beverages.
4. If your salon has their own line of
products, use those that are appropriate for pregnant women.
(Non-toxic, non-scented) If not, find a line that will work and
bring in your own products.
5. The new safety in nail care products is
for all items to be free of dibutyl phthalates (DBP), formaldehyde
and toluene. Whether allergic or not, avoid any products that may
pose a health threat to yo8u or your growing fetus.
6. Do not allow cutting of the soft tissue
surrounding your nails, as you could develop a bacterial infection
if your skin is nipped and this could lead to a systemic
infection.
7. Soak in cool water instead of hot
water. I know that the hot water may feel really comforting, but
the cooler water will actually act as an anti-inflammatory and help
relieve aching and swelling.
The Bottom Line: Bring your own
Supplies. That way, you have control over cleanliness. Even
blue light sanitizers do little to protect you from the most common
fungus infections let alone Hepatitis or HIV. Go to a salon that
uses disposable liners for their pedicures and ascertain that they
actually do throw them away after each use. Never have a spa
pedicure, as the cleansers used cannot guarantee that all bacteria
are killed in the tub.
Now, go and enjoy the pampering you
receive and your work. Just make sure you get enough down time as
your body grows and tells you that you need a break!
--Leslye
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