Numerous women have come forward to share their distressing experiences at nail salons, which have culminated in infections and surgical interventions, as reported by ABC.
Monika Jaecksh encountered a minor cut during her manicure, which subsequently led to an infection and the removal of her nail.
According to Western Australia’s Consumer Protection agency, there were ten complaints lodged against nail salons in both 2024 and 2025, with eight complaints already recorded this year.
Following a report by ABC highlighting a woman who suffered from sepsis after a pedicure, more women from Perth have recounted their need for surgery due to adverse reactions to nail salon services.
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Kyla Willcox spent eleven days hospitalized after developing sepsis linked to a pedicure at a nail salon, almost losing her toe in the process. She expressed her concern about the cleanliness of the salon’s tools, as the technician vigorously scrubbed her toe with a pumice stone.
Two additional women have shared similar experiences. Monika Jaecksh suspects that her infection resulted from the technician using shared tools during her manicure. She recalled, “I noticed how busy they were, and while my nails were being worked on, the technician switched to another client without changing her tools.” Despite feeling uncomfortable, she didn’t voice her concerns.
During the manicure, Jaecksh experienced a minor cut, which led to complications. “I bled slightly, and by the following day, I was in considerable pain,” she recounted. After antibiotics proved ineffective, she was hospitalized for further treatment. “It was excruciating; I had to keep my hand elevated. Eventually, they had to remove the entire nail. It was an awful ordeal.”
Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, underwent two surgical procedures after contracting cellulitis, a skin infection, following a pedicure. She described, “A few days post-pedicure, I developed a painful lump on my foot, making it difficult to walk. Despite taking multiple antibiotics, the infection persisted, leading to the surgeries to remove it before it spread further.”
After her experience, she reported the salon to the WA Health Department, which later conducted an inspection and identified significant hygiene deficiencies, including a lack of sterilization and unchanging of water.
Consumer Protection has issued warnings regarding these issues, noting the rising number of complaints about nail salons, which encompass a range of problems from payment disputes to injuries.
Owen Kelly, the Director of Conciliation and Services, advised consumers to thoroughly investigate salons before receiving services. He suggested asking about their sterilization practices, staff training, and overall hygiene standards to ensure comfort and safety.
Kelly also cautioned against unusually low prices, stating, “If a salon offers significantly lower prices, it might indicate underlying issues, such as inadequate training or inferior materials being used.” He encouraged clients to check product labels for potential allergens and to walk away if they have any concerns.
