The Nail Industry in Los Angeles
Challenges and Changes
By Cheng Li
The nail industry is a milestone of Los Angeles’ beauty economy, contributing thousands of jobs and supporting countless small businesses. Clients also play a role in shaping the industry. Sinong Zhou, a graduate student at the University of Southern California, shared her love for nail art. She appreciates the aesthetic joy of well-manicured nails. “I think doing nail makes me happy because they look beautiful on my hands, and because I'm not really satisfied about my hands, and doing them can make my hands look, you know, more longer and more prettier."
She also values the personal relationships she builds with her nail artists.
Her experience highlights that the significance of the nail industry goes beyond its economic contributions; it also plays an important role in building connections within women’s communities. In nail salons, women aren’t just there for nails, but also for meaningful conversations, sharing personal stories, emotional struggles, and experiences of growth. These interactions transform nail salons from mere service spaces into where women can connect, build emotional bonds, and find support. Men bond by smoking corner, women has their own "nail club"
Of course, nail industry not only have warmth and human connection, it also have many underlying issues that cannot be overlooked. One of the most important concerns is the health risks associated with nail care.
nail photo by Melody Li.
From nail technicians to customers, long time exposure to chemical substances brings potential threats to physical health, affecting not only industry workers but also the safety of clients. Therefore, we must address these hidden concerns, particularly those related to health.
nail photo by Melody Li.
As the chief executive officer of the chemical toxin Working Group TVA Healthy Living Foundation,David Steinman,said that the main chemiclas in nail are formaldehyde, toluene and acetone. They are the primary ingredients in many nail product."women have an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, reduced fertility and congenital malformations of their childhood. It crosses the placenta and can be excreted in breast milk."
nail photo by Melody Li.
He explain more about how other chemicals impact not only women but also men. He said that during the pandemic, a notable baby boom occurred among hairdressers in New York City, reportedly linked to reduced exposure to harmful chemicals like quaternion compounds when salons were closed. Without regular contact with these substances, many were able to pregnancies. Quaternion compounds are just one example of the many hazardous chemicals in the beauty industry. Phthalates, another common group, are known endocrine disruptors that interfere with the body’s sex hormones and fetal development. Their effects can lead to an increased risk of testicular cancer, breast cancer, infertility, and feminized genitalia. In boys, this may manifest as a shorter anogenital distance and smaller penis size, while in girls, it can impair egg production. These findings highlight the significant health risks associated with prolonged exposure to such chemicals.
However, there are still some ways we can protect ourselves.David Steinman also highlighted the importance of protecting ourselves by learning to identify harmful ingredients through product labels. ."So there are ways to look at the label of a cosmetic ingredient and tell if it's safe or unsafe. For you, preferred ingredients are ones that are you should look for products that contain certified organic ingredients that will markedly reduce your exposure, and that's really important. Also, you can look for products that have the simplest and least amount of ingredients. It's a truism for cosmetics that if you can't pronounce the name, it's very likely a toxic chemical ingredient. Also, as I mentioned, look for those marker ingredients on the label, and that will help to assure you that you're not picking out a product that would be bad for you by reproductive health or that could increase your risk for cancer."
Also, ensuring proper ventilation in salons and safer industry standards are critical steps toward minimizing health risks. Finding a balance between beauty and well-being is essential for creating a safer and more sustainable nail industry.
Add to this,not only for the health concerns, but also for the development in nail industry, the new generation nail artists are trying to finding new way to improve the whold nail industry. As one interviewee, Alani Tran，who has 52k followers on Instagram, one of the most popular LA nail artist, highlighted that the industry is shifting towards a greater focus on hygiene and sustainability, with new products designed to minimize health risks. She mentioned about Brands like Opry have introduced systems such as Steel X, which reduce the use of harsh chemicals on the nail bed, and are continually refining their formulas to be free of harmful substances and more eco-friendly. These innovations not only support nail artists in creating designs with ease but also address the needs of clients by reducing exposure to controversial chemical ingredients. Alani Tran expressed optimism about the future of the nail industry, having a continued evolution where creativity, safety, and sustainability work.
Alani Tran's interview about nail industry development
But Alani Tran also express her concerns, With the rise of modern and independent nail technicians, the nail industry has changed a lot, but it has also created challenges for traditional salons and workers. Many immigrant nail technicians work on commission, and if there are no clients for the day, they earn nothing. Some work long hours but make very little money. This problem is common in traditional nail salons and is hard to fix.
At the same time, the pandemic pushed more nail technicians to work independently, such as offering services from home or opening private studios. They use social media to promote their services, connect with clients directly, and earn more stable incomes. However, this has taken away customers from traditional salons, making it even harder for salon workers who depend on these jobs.
The nail industry now faces both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, new technology and independent work give some people better income and freedom. On the other hand, traditional nail technicians, especially immigrant workers, still struggle with low and unstable wages.
The nail industry in Los Angeles stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation. While it serves as a hub of creativity and connection, it also faces challenges such as labor rights, health concerns, and economic shifts. At the same time, the industry’s embrace of modern technology showcase its potential to continually evolve. Balancing these elements—creativity, safety, innovation, and inclusivity—will be key to ensuring that the nail industry not only survives but thrives in the years to come.
