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Healthy Nail Salon Program

Environmental Health Services

Divisions / Environmental Health Services / Pollution Prevention & Community Programs / Healthy Nail Salon Program

Healthy Nail Salon Program Overview

San Mateo County’s Healthy Nail Salon Program promotes nail salons that are healthier for customers, employees and the planet. The Program supports local businesses by:

  • Certifying salons committed to using less toxic products, safer practices and better ventilation.
  • Providing incentives to San Mateo County residents who are customers of certified nail salons.

The Program was launched in 2013 due to health concerns for nail technicians and customers exposed to hazardous chemicals found in nail salon products. Health impacts linked to nail salon chemicals include cancer, birth defects, asthma, rashes and more.

The next time you get your nails done, choose a Healthy Nail Salon, because “Pretty Shouldn’t Stink.”

What Makes a Nail Salon Healthy?

Safer Products:

  • Nail polishes without the toxic trio (toluene, dibutyl phthalate and formaldehyde) which may cause cancer.
  • Nail polish thinners without toluene and methyl ethyl ketone.
  • Nail polish removers without ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, which irritate eyes and skin.
  • Artificial nails without methyl methacrylate (MMA), which can cause birth defects and rashes.

Safer Practices:

  • Employees wear gloves when working with chemicals.
  • Technicians use ventilation units when providing artificial nail services to remove harmful fumes and dust from the air.

Information For Nail Salon Customers

Show your support for healthier, safer nail salon practices by visiting certified Healthy Nail Salons! Support hard-working local businesses who have committed to safer, less-toxic products and practices.

The Healthy Nail Salon Program promotes nail salons that are healthier for customers, employees, and the planet by:

  • Certifying nail salons that have committed to using less toxic products, safer practices, and better ventilation.
  • Providing incentives to San Mateo County residents who are customers of certified nail salons.

The Program was launched in 2013 due to health concerns for nail technicians and customers exposed to hazardous chemicals found in nail salon products.  Health impacts linked to nail salon chemicals include cancer, birth defects, asthma, rashes, and more.

Find a Certified Healthy Nail Salon

View the list below or the map to find a healthy nail salon.

Daly City

Friend’s Nail & Company
7377 Mission Street
(650) 992-3816

Menlo Park

Lyna’s Beauty Salon
515 El Camino Real
(650) 556-4463

Millbrae

Alpha Nails
1330 El Camino Real
(650) 797-9018

Today’s Nails
18 Hillcrest Boulevard
(650) 697-1838

Pacifica

Ele Ela Nail Salon
1831 Palmetto Avenue
(650) 355-1227

Kim’s Natural Nails
450 Dondee Way, Suite #12
(650) 355-8744

Nails by Lisa
345 Rockaway Beach Avenue
(650) 738-8186

San Carlos

AvantGard Spa
1224 El Camino Real
(650) 591-1498

San Bruno

Image Perfection
1310 El Camino Real #G
(650) 873-1198

San Mateo

Relaxing Nails & Spa
639 S. B Street
(650) 548-9198

7 Sisters Nail Spa
101 W 25th Avenue
(650) 573-8899

Touch of Beauty
13 41st Avenue
(650) 572-9874

South San Francisco

Fantastic Nail Spa – La Bonne Vie
142 Hazelwood Drive
(650) 989-8687

Information for Nail Salon Owners, Managers and Technicians

The Healthy Nail Salon Program certifies nail salons committed to using less toxic products, safer practices, and better ventilation. By becoming certified, you help ensure the safety of your employees and customers and can increase profits by attracting new clientele.

San Mateo County will help certified Healthy Nail Salons:

  1. Attract more clients. Once certified, your salon will be awarded a framed certificate and/or a window decal to display at your store for customers to see. A 2019 resident survey showed 66% of respondents are willing to pay $5 to $10 more for a healthier nail salon service. Customers will seek out your salon because it will be the healthiest option.
  2. Promote your business. Your salon will be listed on promotional materials that will be marketed online and distributed communitywide at no cost to you. Your salon will also be listed on the County’s website.
  3. Create a safer environment in the salon for your clients. Customers will no longer complain about fumes in the air. Ventilation units will be given to new certified salons on a first-come, first-served basis.
  4. Enhance the health and productivity of your staff. With safer products, practices, improved ventilation, and more clientele, your staff can take pride in where they work.

To become a certified Healthy Nail Salon, your salon must:
1. Use nail polishes without the toxic trio – dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde.
2. Use artificial nail products without without methyl methacrylate (MMA).
3. Use safer nail polish removers without ethyl or butyl acetate.
4. Avoid nail polish thinners. If using thinners, do not use those containing toluene or methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).
5. Ensure all nail salon staff wear nitrile gloves when using nail products.
6. Ventilate the salon to improve air quality indoors. Designate a specific area for artificial nail services and property ventilate the area.
7. Install a mechanical ventilation unit within one year of entering the program, if one does not already exist.
8. Train all nail salon staff on safer practices. Training will be provided by County staff onsite.
9. Be committed to trying and adopting safer nail products and practices.
10. Do not allow customers to bring in products unless they meet program criteria.

Safer products and practices will be determined by San Mateo County Environmental Health Services staff on a case-by-case basis in consultation with nail salons.

Healthy Nail Salon Application Form

Interested in becoming a certified Healthy Nail Salon? Start the process today by filling out an application and emailing it to the Program Coordinator, Connie Tran at ctran1@smcgov.org. Questions? Email Connie Tran at ctran1@smcgov.org or call/text (650) 388-2096.