Why haven't they done anything about NSS?

[Violet Star]

Hi Geeks,

This may be going over old grounds not sure? But im wondering why anyone hasnt done anything about NSS salons i.e shut them down?

Isnt there anything we can do as beauty therapists or talk to anyone to get them closed down or to up their standards at least?

As we all know they charge less than us as they use cheap and nasty products and dont keep upto level with hygiene (sp?) so at this time of creditcrunch people are trying to look good for less and this includes people having their nails done at NSS. I feel like almost everyone i speak to goes to NSS salons (my area is full of them) and its hard to talk round them to get them to come to me or another higher standard therapist all they are thinking about is the price they are paying!

I worry as im spending over 1000 on training for the nail industry and im thinking is it worth it? As people dont seem to care what brand or product you use its more about the price that you are charging, and the products i will be using - CND including my efforts i cannot afford to charge 15.00 for a full set!

Isnt there anything we can do? At all?

 

[del3]

Sadly at this moment in time there's nothing being done about it.

I had a H&S inspection last week by the local council this is how it went.

Inspector walks in and shows me her ID and says 'I'm here to do a H&S inspection.
ME; ok what would you like to see first
HER; oh no it's ok I'd like to ask you a few questions first.
Me;ok
HER; do you have a fisrt aid kit
ME; yes. would you like to see it?
HER; no, it's ok
HER: do you have an up to date fire certificate?
Me; yes, would you like to see it?
HER; no thanks
HER; (tick boxes on sheet) ok you've passed your inspection and as the nail industry is classed as LOW RISK you wont be seeing us for another 4-5 yrs

No wonder the NSS gets away with what they do

Knowing my luck now they will read this and be knocking my door down on monday :lol::lol:

 

[chocolatepickle]

Sorry to sound stupid...but what does NSS mean!? (forgive me i'm new!)

 

[del3]

NSS = non standard salon
I.e salon employing nail techs with very little or no proper training,uses poor quality products (sometimes MMA) and very poor hygine standards.
HTH
:hug:

 

[thinkpink2008]

the nss by me charge between £20 and £25 for a full set then extra if you want them painting! its ridiculus, i charge £25 including paint and am fully qualified, alot of people go because they dont take bookings, you can just walk in

 

[Missy G]

Ive often thought about doing a protest outside one of these nail bars,but wondered if it would actually solve anything,and how could I be sure they are NNS/MMA users.

Most peeps that have come to me from NNS, say they will never go back ,they are put off by them.Unfortunatly one of my old clients did go back..because they were quicker...she said!!People like this seriously need their heads testing, the damaging doesnt seem to bother them ,but this is obviously the reason they will keep going back.BECAUSE THEY ARE QUICKER:!:

But how would you know a nail bar was NNS/MMA untill you actually try it out for yourself?? I certainly wouldnt want to go there to see for myself, and could only assume from their ex clients from what they say about them,that they actually are,ok we can reconise a possability of MMA being used on someones nails when they come to us,but we will never know if they were an NNS salon...(hope that makes sense.)

 

[Violet Star]

Sadly at this moment in time there's nothing being done about it.

I had a H&S inspection last week by the local council this is how it went.

Inspector walks in and shows me her ID and says 'I'm here to do a H&S inspection.
ME; ok what would you like to see first
HER; oh no it's ok I'd like to ask you a few questions first.
Me;ok
HER; do you have a fisrt aid kit
ME; yes. would you like to see it?
HER; no, it's ok
HER: do you have an up to date fire certificate?
Me; yes, would you like to see it?
HER; no thanks
HER; (tick boxes on sheet) ok you've passed your inspection and as the nail industry is classed as LOW RISK you wont be seeing us for another 4-5 yrs

No wonder the NSS gets away with what they do

Knowing my luck now they will read this and be knocking my door down on monday

My god thats ridiculous! They make it too easy for people. x

But how would you know a nail bar was NNS/MMA untill you actually try it out for yourself?? I certainly wouldnt want to go there to see for myself, and could only assume from their ex clients from what they say about them,that they actually are,ok we can reconise a possability of MMA being used on someones nails when they come to us,but we will never know if they were an NNS salon...(hope that makes sense.)

I would send a friend into the NSS salon seen as my friends do use them instead of me!! And tell them to look out for certain things etc

I would protest but i would be protesting every day for 2 weeks around my area seen as there are so many x

 

[nora525]

I think part of the problem is, when we talk about them in here, we obviously understand the down falls of these salons.
However, if you talk to a general public about MMA, they go "What????"
The key is education.
More people know about pros and cons, then more likely they are to choose the healthy option.
However, having said that, there are always people who don't care and who just want to have a set of nails......even if they have been warned of possible problems.
And they do konw their way to NSS salon.

 

[VHunter]

Personally, I feel that it's up to "US", the quality techs, to do something about it.
If we make noise, and push the 'Leaders' of the industry to make even more noise.. something will change.

Consumers won't make noise because most of them are ignorant of what NSS is... and don't realize what's going on.

The harder 'WE' work together at informing the public, and making demands of our government, demanding more of our schools in terms of education, demanding more from our distributors, etc...... the more likely things will change.

But if we continue to sit and complain - all the while doing nothing - then exactly nothing is going to happen.


"Seek and you shall find. It is always so in life".
A very wise person said that, and I've held onto it for years, seeing the truth of it many times over.

One person alone can't make the change, but form a strong enough group..... all sorts of great things can happen.

(PS: for the record, I have been quietly working on making 'noise' in my own neck of the woods.... and will be approaching local government very soon)

 

[Vetty]

Personally I think we should all concentrate on being the best Nail Tech we can be and leave the dross to it. Clients are not as stupid as we assume and the discerning will look at NSS nails and think 'there must be a better way of doing this' and then seek out other tech's (you and I). By moaning about or slating them we run the risk of it looking like professional jealousy (which trust me I know it isn't).

In an industry that is unregulated (in the UK and Canada and Aus(?)) I don't believe we can change anything at the moment. How long have hairdressers been around? A long time. But, their industry is not regulated either.

Again personally, I don't regard the NSS as my competition. People who want quick, no appt necessary and the cheapest service going are not my target market. I want clients who appreciate my skill, respect my training and knowledge and wont jump ship as soon as someone else knocks a quid off their prices.

Focus on doing what you do the best and ignore the dross.

As ever JMHO,

 

[Violet Star]

Very good point V perhaps we should get everyone on here to go to their government and kick up a fuss about these salons.

You see i know and understand that you should try to be the best nail technician possible but sometimes its not enough, sometimes clients want the cheapest price they can find no matter how much you tell them about the damage of NSS they dont care they only have 15-20 pounds to spare that month they know they mostly cant get that with a high standard nail technician so where are they going to go? All they want in pink and whites they all look the same so they will go to NSS salon Despite how good we are.

xx

 

[VHunter]

Personally I think we should all concentrate on being the best Nail Tech we can be and leave the dross to it. Clients are not as stupid as we assume and the discerning will look at NSS nails and think 'there must be a better way of doing this' and then seek out other tech's (you and I). By moaning about or slating them we run the risk of it looking like professional jealousy (which trust me I know it isn't).
I don't want to "moan or slate" them (not that I never, do, I just don't want to). I want to ask my gov't to set the standards and demand for licensing.... That's different.
I don't believe that consumers are 'stupid'... but... I do feel that most are ignorant of how nails SHOULD be done and how they SHOULD look and ignorant about exactly what's going on their nails and the risks posed to them from MMA. If no one tells them that there is better/safer out there... then why would they look for it?

In an industry that is unregulated (in the UK and Canada and Aus(?)) I don't believe we can change anything at the moment.
We may not be able to effect immediate change, but we can start the ball rolling. It IS possible. It can be done.

How long have hairdressers been around? A long time. But, their industry is not regulated either.
It is in some places, Alberta Canada for example. That should be regulated too. Again, we have to ask for it.

Again personally, I don't regard the NSS as my competition. People who want quick, no appt necessary and the cheapest service going are not my target market.
If the other market didn't exist, you'd have them too, increasing your purse.

I want clients who appreciate my skill, respect my training and knowledge and wont jump ship as soon as someone else knocks a quid off their prices.
Which they would, once they learned to appreciate the difference.

Focus on doing what you do the best and ignore the dross.

As ever JMHO,

Love you as much as ever, hun, but don't think we'll ever agree on this one LOL
:hug:

 

[trusim]

Hi all,

Yep we have NSS all over here in Australia, and all we can do is educate our clients. But having said that some still go, then come back for an infill and say "Oh I do know why I went there?", But they are so fast.

I felt like screaming, even though we do educate them, and we have further training, it is frustrating.

The last visit to Sydney, I went into a NSS, and all were wearing masks, only 2 spoke English, 4 had just arrived the day before to Australia, and I asked for an infill, well they don't file / or / drill the old, they were pushing this little metal thing between my acrylic and natural nail, lifting them, I kept saying "ouch, why are you doing that", they would only say "oh sorry", but to cut a long story short, they took (ripped) them all off, only stuck on white tips, and bam they were done, no prep, no files, only this metal thingy (never seen one before), and the acrylic L & P, in clear bottles, no labels, nothing.

I will admit, I had rings of fire, I had very sore nail beds, and I ASKED QUESTIONS:

1 what brand of liquid is that?
2 what brand of powder is that?
3 where do you get your products from?

and I was told "it comes in big drums", and "don't know where it comes from", then someone boss lady said something to her in their own language, so she would not talk to me anymore.......

But not once did I see any tools, or files, or implements or benches washed or sanitized. NOT ONCE.

That was it, within 35 mins I was in and out, all for $25.00



I cant do a set for that sort of $$$$, it is a joke.

The regulations here in Australia are very relaxed, and unfortunately we train hard, spend thousands on training, and in the end, we will come out on top.........Hopefully.

Ps.........and I hate white tips.. I even said, "i don't like white tips, can you sculpt instead to be more natural?" She just kept her head down
...I looked liked like a person with fake hands....lol

 

[sknight]

We have a few in my area too and from what I hear, people here are more bothered about the time than the cost.

My sister in law's friend asked me to do her nails in her lunch break, I said it may take up to 2hrs and she said "WHAT?! *** (nss) only take 40 mins maybe you should go work there and they can teach you!" I politely replied "I could do them in 40 mins too if I shaved off the top few layers of your nail" How rude

The way I see it is, it isn't going to get better anytime soon so I just concentrate on my work and let them get on with theirs.

 

[littlegrohl]

Hi all,

Yep we have NSS all over here in Australia, and all we can do is educate our clients. But having said that some still go, then come back for an infill and say "Oh I do know why I went there?", But they are so fast.

I felt like screaming, even though we do educate them, and we have further training, it is frustrating.

The last visit to Sydney, I went into a NSS, and all were wearing masks, only 2 spoke English, 4 had just arrived the day before to Australia, and I asked for an infill, well they don't file / or / drill the old, they were pushing this little metal thing between my acrylic and natural nail, lifting them, I kept saying "ouch, why are you doing that", they would only say "oh sorry", but to cut a long story short, they took (ripped) them all off, only stuck on white tips, and bam they were done, no prep, no files, only this metal thingy (never seen one before), and the acrylic L & P, in clear bottles, no labels, nothing.

I will admit, I had rings of fire, I had very sore nail beds, and I ASKED QUESTIONS:

1 what brand of liquid is that?
2 what brand of powder is that?
3 where do you get your products from?

and I was told "it comes in big drums", and "don't know where it comes from", then someone boss lady said something to her in their own language, so she would not talk to me anymore.......

But not once did I see any tools, or files, or implements or benches washed or sanitized. NOT ONCE.

That was it, within 35 mins I was in and out, all for $25.00



I cant do a set for that sort of $$$$, it is a joke.

The regulations here in Australia are very relaxed, and unfortunately we train hard, spend thousands on training, and in the end, we will come out on top.........Hopefully.

Ps.........and I hate white tips.. I even said, "i don't like white tips, can you sculpt instead to be more natural?" She just kept her head down
...I looked liked like a person with fake hands....lol

Please please PLEASE dont think i am targeting you because i am not (NOT)
I just have to ask.. why would you allow them to do this to you?? I cannot understand why you did not get up and walk out!!
An old client came to me with damage to her NN from an NSS drill.. she said it was very painful when it was done, and yet she sat there through the whole set.. because she didnt want to be rude!!!

anyway..

Everyone one of my clients "old and new" has horror stories about NSS.. (whether they be first habd or second) I honestly answer there questions and educate them on what they need to know and hope to god they never go back.. but sadly the 40 min lunch break jobbie will always be a draw card..
The thing i notice is they "seem" cheaper.. but then when the client has been suitably "enhanced" (cough) they charge ridiculous prices for the zing and the bling.. which in my opinion says it all.. Its about getting the client in with the price and sending them off with the illusion that they have been pampered!

When you get a client.. Talk to her.. pamper her.. make her feel lovely and they will come back to you, not some NSS.. and in so we will start to see change.

 

[trusim]

Please please PLEASE dont think i am targeting you because i am not (NOT)
I just have to ask.. why would you allow them to do this to you?? I cannot understand why you did not get up and walk out!!
An old client came to me with damage to her NN from an NSS drill.. she said it was very painful when it was done, and yet she sat there through the whole set.. because she didnt want to be rude!!!

anyway..

Everyone one of my clients "old and new" has horror stories about NSS.. (whether they be first habd or second) I honestly answer there questions and educate them on what they need to know and hope to god they never go back.. but sadly the 40 min lunch break jobbie will always be a draw card..
The thing i notice is they "seem" cheaper.. but then when the client has been suitably "enhanced" (cough) they charge ridiculous prices for the zing and the bling.. which in my opinion says it all.. Its about getting the client in with the price and sending them off with the illusion that they have been pampered!

When you get a client.. Talk to her.. pamper her.. make her feel lovely and they will come back to you, not some NSS.. and in so we will start to see change.

Hi, yes I can see your point, but I had never been to one before, I had walked past, I had even sat in one whilst a friend was having a set done (we were away), so I thought I know what they use is wrong, but I wanted to experience this for myself, I had a camera, I took photos, I felt like "a spy", but yep I did need to experience so that I too can say I know what happens etc.

It is amazing ..........but in the end you are just a number.

I felt like I should not of been there the length of time I was, it was a horrible experience, but yet some people love them, regardless of what does or can happen.

So yeah Chels, I can see your point. We do need to pamper our clients, and treat them as though they are the only ones who are there, and we do, I make sure of that.

We don't have any of these NSS near us, but they are scouting the surrounding areas, I believe our local coucils are actually tougher than the major cities eg: Sydney etc.

When we have inspections by the council & health dept, they check everything, which is excellent. Their visit can last up to 45 mins, which is wonderful.

To us our Clients are people not numbers. We pamper them, get to know there likes / dislikes, to us they are our friends.

 

[littlegrohl]

Hi, yes I can see your point, but I had never been to one before, I had walked past, I had even sat in one whilst a friend was having a set done (we were away), so I thought I know what they use is wrong, but I wanted to experience this for myself, I had a camera, I took photos, I felt like "a spy", but yep I did need to experience so that I too can say I know what happens etc.

It is amazing ..........but in the end you are just a number.

I felt like I should not of been there the length of time I was, it was a horrible experience, but yet some people love them, regardless of what does or can happen.

So yeah Chels, I can see your point. We do need to pamper our clients, and treat them as though they are the only ones who are there, and we do, I make sure of that.

We don't have any of these NSS near us, but they are scouting the surrounding areas, I believe our local coucils are actually tougher than the major cities eg: Sydney etc.

When we have inspections by the council & health dept, they check everything, which is excellent. Their visit can last up to 45 mins, which is wonderful.

To us our Clients are people not numbers. We pamper them, get to know there likes / dislikes, to us they are our friends.

ahh ok.. your braver then me :lol: I did sit with a girl who had booked an infill at a "salon" just after i did my first course.. I too was a bit uncomfortable with the way they were ripping the acrylic off the nail.. It is not till now though that i realise how bad it actually was.. and cringe at the memory.

BTW I wasnt actually telling YOU to pamper your clients as im sure you do.. just saying that THAT is the best way to seperate US from THEM.. by giving them the best care we can.:green:

 

[mollylolly]

At the beginning of 2008, there was an article in Scratch magazine inviting all Nail Techs to write in or to e-mail an MP called Phylis Starkey with their views, and any experiences that had had regading NSS. I e-mailed my views, and stated the damaged nails that I have have seen caused by these nail bars.

Phylis Starkey contacted me saying that she was making a proposal in the House of Commons and would I mind if she used my comments and would I be prepared to meet up with her which I did. She told me that she had a 10 min slot in the House of Commons at the end of March to put forward her proposal to try to make it that all Nail Techs/Salons were Licenced. This would hopefully make it hard for the NSS to operate and in time they may shut down or be shut down.

She didn't get very far, and told me that she didn't hold out much hope that this proposal would go ahead. I have heard nothing more, so I assume this to be the case.

I did suggest at our meeting that I thought that there should be a Government Health warning on the dangers of using these NNS, as we all know that there is a big health risk with them. A small leaflet that could be placed in all the places where ladies/young girls use, i.e.Health centres, family planning centres, schools, chemists etc. Sort of like a Health warning on a packet of ciggies. Unfortunatley, I think this would be an expense that the Governement would not want to pay out for.

I now have produced my own which I hand out at every available opportunity, and never give up promoting.

I do think that it is a loseing battle, as some of you ladies have said, they are quick, you don't need an appointment and they are cheap.

 

[del3]

At the beginning of 2008, there was an article in Scratch magazine inviting all Nail Techs to write in or to e-mail an MP called Phylis Starkey with their views, and any experiences that had had regading NSS. I e-mailed my views, and stated the damaged nails that I have have seen caused by these nail bars.

Phylis Starkey contacted me saying that she was making a proposal in the House of Commons and would I mind if she used my comments and would I be prepared to meet up with her which I did. She told me that she had a 10 min slot in the House of Commons at the end of March to put forward her proposal to try to make it that all Nail Techs/Salons were Licenced. This would hopefully make it hard for the NSS to operate and in time they may shut down or be shut down.

She didn't get very far, and told me that she didn't hold out much hope that this proposal would go ahead. I have heard nothing more, so I assume this to be the case.

I did suggest at our meeting that I thought that there should be a Government Health warning on the dangers of using these NNS, as we all know that there is a big health risk with them. A small leaflet that could be placed in all the places where ladies/young girls use, i.e.Health centres, family planning centres, schools, chemists etc. Sort of like a Health warning on a packet of ciggies. Unfortunatley, I think this would be an expense that the Governement would not want to pay out for.

I now have produced my own which I hand out at every available opportunity, and never give up promoting.

I do think that it is a loseing battle, as some of you ladies have said, they are quick, you don't need an appointment and they are cheap.

Ther's more chance you'd get a Goverment health warning on a tube of Smarites.
Good on you for trying but the goverment are not going to spend on something that doesn't make them big money.
Remember I was told by my H&S inspector when she 'inspected' my salon that nail bars are LOW RISK.

Until something really drastic goes wrong or the nail industry starts costing the NHS money I doubt very much that anything will be done...the same as with hair and beauty.
Think about it, did you ever see a speed camera inplace before a serious accident took place??? And do you think they were then put there for our safety, ****cks they were :!:

As it's been said, we should concentrate on making our industry the best we can by doing our work to the highest standards.
I love my job and enjoy pampering my clients and if that takes an extra 30 mins then so be it...I've never heard of anybody say ''I was in and out of the hairdressers for a colour and cut in 35mins'' AND THEN SAY ''oh yes I'm really happy I'd go there again,so what if my hair is trashed under the colour'':lol:

I don't want the clients that don't care about their natural nails...they are the ones that will go around afterwards saying ''acrylics ruin your nails'' and then give me a bad rep:!:
:hug:

 

[geeg]

For years I have been saying that people go to discount salons because they are QUICK ... it is about time not money etc etc.

Why do you all think I bang on about PopIts ??? EH?? I haven't made it clear enough?? The clients who are wanting a quick service that you cannot provide by hand are BEGGING for PopIts!! Why turn them away. You can easily do a quick 40 minute service using PopIts and they will love the result. These clients are the ones on whom you should be using them. PopIts can be your secret weapon when it comes to providing the speed that some (not all) clients want. I think anyone who does not learn how to use them is just plain nuts really. You can compete with the speed of discount salons and you can do it safely.

By the way. Not all discount salons use MMA and not all discount salons do bad work either .. in fact some do very good work. Not all discount salons use cheap products. They are learning very quickly what clients want and in a very short time, you will see these ones getting better educated, buying better products and opening up salons that are run differently. They will take more time and charge more money too just like you. Legislation will not get rid of the discount salons it will inspire them to do things better and they will still be FULL.

It has all happened in the USA .. you have an example there of what will happen in the UK and other places (over 70% of licensed professionals in the USA are oriental).

Concentrate in your own back yard instead of others. Spend your energy doing beautiful nails in a faster time without sacrificing quality. It can be done. If others can do it you can do it too. You don't need drills you need techniques. Concentrate on technique and your times will drop dramatically.