A Stanford Medicine Student Initiative

SHINE Safety & Health in Nail Care Environments

Advancing practical, evidence-informed strategies for UV and chemical safety in nail salons - through education, protective resources, and guidance developed in partnership with salon professionals.

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About SHINE

A Community-Centered Approach to Salon Safety

Nail salons are spaces of beauty, care, and human connection. Beneath this work, however, lies a pattern of occupational exposures that often remains unseen, including ultraviolet radiation during gel services and contact with chemical agents present in routine products.

SHINE (Safety and Health in Nail Care Environments) advances practical, evidence-informed strategies that integrate seamlessly into daily salon practice. Through educational programming, protective resources, and tailored guidance developed in partnership with salon professionals, SHINE seeks to strengthen workplace safety while preserving the efficiency, artistry, and client experience that define the industry.

Community-centered

Developed with and for salon professionals

Evidence-informed

Grounded in occupational health research

Practical to adopt

Integrates into existing workflows

Why it matters

Safeguarding the People Behind Every Service

More than 400,000 nail technicians work in the United States, the majority of whom are women and a large proportion of whom are immigrants. Studies have documented repeated occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds, acrylic dust, and ultraviolet radiation, often over long working hours and many years. These exposures are associated with respiratory irritation, dermatologic conditions, headaches, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and other preventable health concerns.

By focusing on accessible interventions that fit real working conditions, SHINE aims to reduce cumulative risk while supporting the dignity, stability, and long-term health of the workforce that sustains this essential service sector.

Chemical exposure

Routine Products, Significant Implications

Common salon products, including gel polishes, primers, adhesives, and removers, may contain solvents and compounds capable of irritating the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Mechanical filing and product removal generate fine particulate matter and vapors that can accumulate in inadequately ventilated spaces.

Research has shown that concentrations of certain airborne chemicals in salons may exceed recommended occupational limits, particularly during peak service hours. While some ingredients have been linked to chronic health effects, exposure can be substantially reduced through safer product selection, appropriate protective equipment, and effective ventilation practices. Even modest improvements can produce meaningful reductions in daily chemical burden.

UV radiation

Managing Cumulative Risk

Ultraviolet lamps used to cure gel products emit primarily UV-A radiation during each treatment. A single session produces only brief exposure, yet technicians may perform numerous services per day, five or more days per week, over many years. This repeated exposure accumulates across a career.

Dermatologic studies indicate that protective measures such as broad-spectrum sunscreen and UV-blocking gloves can significantly reduce UV transmission to the skin without affecting service quality. Incorporating these measures into routine practice offers a simple, low-cost strategy for long-term risk reduction.

What we provide

Education, Tools, and Sustainable Practice Change

SHINE offers on-site training and ready-to-implement resources designed to integrate naturally into established workflows for both professionals and clients.

Educational Workshops

Interactive sessions delivered within the salon environment, addressing chemical safety, ultraviolet protection, proper use of personal protective equipment, ventilation strategies, and safer product selection.

Chemical Safety Toolkit

Nitrile gloves, protective masks, formaldehyde screening materials, concise safety reference guides, and multilingual educational resources for staff and clients.

UV Safety Toolkit

Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, reusable UV-protective gloves, exposure tracking cards, and clear, client-friendly informational signage.

Ventilation & Product Guidance

Practical recommendations for improving indoor air quality and transitioning toward lower-toxicity products during routine procurement cycles.

Introducing

The UV Safety Step

SHINE promotes the routine application of sunscreen prior to UV curing as a standard component of gel services for both technicians and clients. This brief preventive measure requires minimal time yet offers meaningful protection when practiced consistently over the course of a career.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
- Benjamin Franklin

Our team

Founded at Stanford Medicine

SHINE is led by medical students committed to addressing occupational health disparities within the nail care industry. By working in close collaboration with salon communities, the initiative seeks to advance health equity, support informed decision-making, and foster safer working environments across the profession.

Rania Abdusamad

Co-Founder

Stanford Medical Student MS, Translational Research & Applied Medicine

Nadia Kirmani

Co-Founder

Stanford Medical Student MS, Translational Research & Applied Medicine

Resources

Safety information & educational materials

A growing library of chemical safety guides, UV protection resources, and educational materials for salon professionals and clients.

Chemical safety guides

Quick-reference sheets for identifying and handling common salon chemicals safely.

Coming soon

UV protection tips

Practical guidance on reducing UV exposure during gel manicures for workers and clients.

Coming soon

Educational materials

Multilingual resources for salon staff and clients on workplace safety and health protection.

Coming soon

Get involved

Join the SHINE initiative

Interested in partnering, piloting workshops, or supporting safety kits? Reach out below.

Partner your salon

We’ll follow up with next steps for workshops and toolkits.

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For partners, community members, and supporters.