DETROIT – You would assume that hair and nail salons would be inspected regularly. But that's not what the Local 4 Defenders found.
According to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, salons are inspected when they open -- and again only if a complaint is filed.
The Defenders dug into documentation from the state to find out which metro Detroit salons had recent complaints filed against them.
At Hair Craft on Garfield Road in Clinton Township, a recent state inspection found that it "practiced fraud or deceit in obtaining a license or registration," along with "no ventilation for chemical vapors."
"It can actually cause a lung injury or a mucosal injury, where the eyes or the nose become irritated, because the fumes are so powerful and potent," Local 4's Dr. Frank McGeorge said.
One of the cosmetologists at Hair Craft was also cited for not washing shampoo bowls.
Hair Craft was fined $500 and the cosmetologist $250 -- and has since corrected the problems.
Salon De Joie on Warren Street in Dearborn Heights received several violations for failing to keep the establishment safe and sanitary, and for not cleaning dryer hoods.
"If someone has an infection on their scalp and you ran a comb through it, and it had MRSA on it, and then someone else had a small cut on their scalp and used that same comb, you can potentially transfer that dangerous bacteria to the next guy. That's why it's really important to keep these things clean," McGeorge said.
Salon De Joie paid a $500 fine and corrected all the violations.
Nail Art by Christine Dao on Telegraph in Pontiac was also visited by inspectors, who found no clean towels or linens and an unlicensed person performing cosmetology services. The business was fined $1,500 and has since corrected the violations.
Violations were also found at Bayside Salon in Clay Township.
Inspectors found no ventilation for chemical vapors and licensing issues. Bayside was fined $1,000 and has corrected the problems.
"Most people have a friendly relationship with their stylists, and I think asking them whether things are clean if you have a concern is completely reasonable," McGeorge said.
Anyone who has a concern about the safety of a salon can file a complaint with the state. Call 517-241-9202 or download the complaint form here.
You can also search the state's website to verify a license/registration.