Explicit instructions ignored -- repeat injury to natural nails (possible state violations)…read more
I am writing this review to document a serious and repeated nail injury and to warn others -- especially clients with natural nails.
For context, I have been getting my nails professionally done for over 20 years, across many salons and technicians, and I have never experienced this type of pain, damage, or injury to my natural nails until coming here.
Before my service began, I clearly and explicitly told both the nail technician and the owner's daughter that I did NOT want my natural nails filed thin. Despite this instruction, the same nail technician proceeded to over-file my natural nails anyway.
This is now the second time this exact technician has done this to me -- once about a month ago, and again during my most recent visit. Each time, my natural nail beds were filed down to the point of redness, thinning, and pain, indicating damage to live tissue, not cosmetic filing.
The technician used an electric file directly on my natural nail plate instead of hand filing, which in my opinion appears to be a time-saving practice rather than a safe or appropriate technique for natural nails. Over-filing with an e-file on natural nails is widely known to cause nail bed trauma and injury.
Under California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology regulations, licensees are required to:
* Perform services without causing injury or harm to the client
* Avoid unprofessional conduct, including practices that endanger client health or safety
* Use tools and techniques appropriate to the service being performed
Based on my experience, this conduct may constitute unprofessional conduct and unsafe practice.
After my nails were visibly injured, I was still charged an additional $30 just to over file and take off the nail polish from previous visit nails here . When I calmly asked the owner's daughter if I was really being charged after being injured by their employee, she responded "yes, ma'am."
I paid nearly $135 total, even though only my toes were done and my fingernails were left damaged and painful.
I did not argue, yell, or cause a scene. I simply paid and left.
However, I will not return.
If you have real/natural nails and care about nail health, I strongly recommend being cautious or choosing another salon. I also personally witnessed another client experience similar over-filing of her natural nails.
This review is shared so others can make an informed decision.
-- Review for Bloom Nails LA