7 red flags to look out for when getting a manicure, according to salon owners

There are a few things clients should look out for before sitting down for a manicure.

ViewStock/Shutterstock Business Insider asked salon owners about the red flags to watch out for when getting a manicure.

Unidentifiable products and overly aggressive techniques can make for a poor experience.

Look for dirty or loose tools and poor ventilation when entering a salon.

Whether you want a Japanese gel manicure or French tips for your next big event, choosing the right nail salon is crucial to achieving the look you desire and preserving your long-term nail health.

That's why Business Insider asked salon owners about the red flags clients should look out for when getting a manicure at a new salon.

Here's what they said.

Check to make sure your nail tech isn’t using dirty tools.

Lipatova Maryna/Shutterstock Patricia Reign, a licensed manicurist and the owner of Traveling Aura Mobile Spa in Florida, told BI that one of the most important things to check for before getting a manicure is that the tools are properly sanitized.

"Tools like nail clippers, cuticle nippers, and pushers should be taken from a clean, sealed packet — which often indicates the salon uses an autoclave, a professional-grade sterilization device," Reign said.

"However, be cautious.

Some salons may use these packets without sterilizing the tools." She added that if the nail technician pulls tools directly from a drawer, they may have been placed there after being used on another client.

Misused sanitization boxes can also be an issue. webphotographeer/Getty Images Amy Ling Lin, CEO and founder of the nail-care brand and NYC salon chain Sundays , told BI that misusing sanitization equipment, notably LED-light sanitization boxes, is just as bad for clients as using dirty implements.

"For salons that use an LED light sanitization box, ensure no paper towels are under the tool plates.