No, Russian Manicure is not illegal in the United States. But the thing is, the risks associated with it are pretty real, though, you may not have known about this up until now, right? Well, that’s why the confusion is present surrounding this type of manicure in the country. We just advise you to keep on reading for a better understanding of it all, that’s it.
What Exactly Is a Russian Manicure?
Russian manicure, which might be referred to as dry manicure, is achieved by an electric nail file or e-file. To put it in the simplest words possible, in a traditional manicure where nails are usually soaked, this one doesn’t use any water. The technician takes the e-file to the area around the nail and to the removal of the whole cuticle, the thin layer of skin at the base of the nail. What do we get? Nails that are incredibly neat and a nail polish that is of a longer lifespan.
In normal manicures, the cuticle is generally just pushed back or a little trimmed. However, in Russian manicures, they remove it entirely with an e-file. So, that is the point from which the worries arise.
Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
One of the major factors that contributed to the wide popularity of the Russian manicure is social media. And? Well, as a result of it, a lot of influencers and salons present it as the most accurate, clean, and durable method. Nevertheless, the medical professionals and dermatologists disagree with this opinion. How and why? See, in their opinion, the removal of the cuticle in its entirety can cause an infection. The cuticle is the part of the body that serves as a protective barrier between the nail and the skin like without it, bacteria can easily invade.
The Health Risks You Should Know About
Medical professionals have detailed in their records a few situations that have become serious. Like? Among their reports, there is one published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine where a lady suffered from a distressing nail infection that resulted from a Russian manicure. At the end, the nail that was infected separated from the nail bed, like surely, it must have been very painful and is definitely not something anyone would wish for.
Most often, an e-file that is said to remove the cuticle actually removes the layer of dead skin that is covering the live skin, hence the redness, swelling, and pus that accompany the infection of the area. In extreme cases, it can even lead to permanent nail damage. Therefore, it is a piece of good news on the surface only, but the situation may get out of hand if the procedure is not done in the right way.
So, Is It Illegal in the U.S.?
Here is the obvious answer see, it varies from state to state. Are Russian manicures legal? They are not banned across the US, but certain states have limited or prohibited them. Regulations are mainly concerned with the safety aspects and the professionals who are authorized to do it.
It is generally prohibited for nail technicians to take off living skin with an e-file or any sharp instrument in their respective states. This is viewed as a medical operation and is only allowed to be done by licensed medical professionals. Therefore, the words “Russian manicures are illegal” are used in quotes to indicate that authorities may penalize or close down salons that ignore such regulations set by the cosmetology board in the respective states.
Meanwhile, the regulations in other states are not as rigorous, but they still emphasize the same point, you know, safety of clients.
