More about the International Nail Technicians Association

The International Nail Technicians Association® (INTA) sets high professional standards for nail technicians, to protect consumers from injury or disease when they enter a licensed salon. INTA advocates salons be inspected annually to ensure compliance with state regulations, but the association is not responsible for inspections.

"The International Nail Technicians Association makes every effort to educate nail technicians and salon owners in proper sanitation and disinfection procedures," says Paul Dykstra, CEO of INTA. "We truly believe that education is the key for both salons and consumers. The salon experience is one of the most enjoyable consumers can have. With the proper education of both salon and client, it can be a completely safe one as well."

INTA recommends the following guidelines for consumers having nail services:

• Before beginning any nail service, ask the licensed salon professional what disinfection processes were used for implements.
• The technician's hands must be either washed or sanitized before touching a client's hands or feet for any service.
• Before any nail service, inform the technician if you are diabetic, have a peripheral vascular disease, or are taking any blood-thinning medication.
• Your hands or feet must be either washed or sanitized before any nail service.
• Electric files are legal, but cutting the skin is not. Drill bits should be clean, without any dust or debris, and stored in a sanitary manner. Specifically for Pedicures:
• Do not shave your legs for at least 24 hours before a pedicure or have a pedicure service if you have open sores or nicks on your feet or legs.
• All equipment-including basins and bowls-must be clean and disinfected, before a pedicure.
• Before a whirlpool footbath, ask if the screen is removed, cleaned and disinfected every day. Disinfectant must to be circulated and flushed through the whirlpool system for at least 10 minutes.
• Cutting calluses, ingrown toenails, and living skin is not allowed. Callus razors cannot be legally used in beauty or nail salons.
• In most states, even licensed nail technicians cannot do waxing services in salons. Only licensed cosmetologists and estheticians can perform waxing services.
• You should not have pedicure services if you have any infections (fungus, mold) or communicable diseases (athlete's foot, eczema) or other unhealthy conditions of the skin or feet.

• INTA advocates nail services be done in a state-licensed salon with state-licensed practitioners.
• INTA advocates practitioners post their original licenses at workstations.
• Unlicensed activity is against state regulations and should be reported to the Cosmetology Board.

• The salon and each workstation must be clean and free of dust and debris.
• All tools and supplies must be cleaned before use.
• New disposable files should be used on each client. After use, all disposable tools (orange sticks, sponges, white block buffers, etc.) should be disposed of in a covered trash container.
• Multi-use tools, such as metal instruments, must be cleaned, properly disinfected, and stored in a clean container ready for the next client.
• A clean towel should be used for each client.
• Disinfectant should be on every station and used by the technician throughout the service.
• There should be adequate ventilation to prevent an over-whelming odor from chemicals in service products.
• Products containing liquid methyl methacrylate monomers (MMA) cannot be used in salons.

• Before beginning any nail service, ask the licensee what disinfection processes were used for implements.
• Before touching a client’s hands or feet for any service, the licensee’s hands must be either washed or sanitized.
• Before receiving any nail service, inform the technician if you are diabetic, have a peripheral vascular disease, or are taking any blood-thinning medication.
• Your hands or feet must be either washed or sanitized before any nail service.
• Electric files are legal, but cutting the skin is not. Drill bits should be clean, without any dust or debris, and stored in a sanitary manner. The disinfectant used should be EPA-registered for bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal activity.

• Before your pedicure, all equipment must be clean and disinfected – including basins and bowls.
• Before a whirlpool footbath, ask if the screen is removed, cleaned, and disinfected every day. Disinfectant should be circulated and flushed through the whirlpool system for at least 10 minutes. You can simply ask the technician if disinfectant was circulated for 10 minutes prior to your service.
• Cutting calluses, ingrown toenails, and living skin is not allowed. Callus razors cannot be legally used in beauty or nail salons.
• Do not shave your legs for at least 24 hours before a pedicure or have a pedicure service if you have open sores or nicks on your feet or legs.
• Be aware that even licensed nail technicians cannot do waxing services in salons in most states. Only licensed cosmetologists and estheticians can perform waxing services.
• You should not have any pedicure services done if you have any infections (fungus, mold) or communicable diseases (athlete’s foot, eczema) or other unhealthy conditions are present.
• If an accidental cut should occur, the technician must follow blood spill procedures in their first aid kit.