4:05 June 15, 2008 | All news from "Organic Whole Foods"

ORGANIC NAIL SPA

Stepping into a traditional nail salon many are overcome by the strong smell of perfumes, acrylics, formaldehyde and other strong chemicals.

Research as shown prolonged exposure to such harsh chemicals isn't the healthiest for the customer or stylist.

Because of that, Scottsdale based spa Organicures Nail Spa is heading the opposite direction.

'Many (workers) end up with all kinds of allergies from all the chemicals they use throughout their career,' said Denise Sheldon, Organicures chief executive officer. 'We started to get concerned about the salons we were going to.'

Those concerns culminated when Sheldon's pregnant daughter in law chose to stop getting her hair colored and nails done for fear of health complications.

'Then we thought, if there was an alternative place for these women to go to, there would be demand for it,' said Sheldon, a business developer for 30 years.

After some market research, she and her daughter, Dana Buchanan, opened Organicures, an eco friendly nail spa offering manicures and pedicures.

Since opening June 1, appointments have been steadily flowing in. Two weeks into the business, at 9689 N. Hayden Road, more than 60 appointments had been made.

The departure from the typical nail salon is evident.

For starters, digits are no longer soaked in a bowl of chemicals. That reduces the possible risk of infection from bacteria thriving in reused bowls.

Instead, salon workers apply a mask rub and organic oils onto the hands or feet then wrap them in a liner and warm towel made from 100 percent organic cotton. The oils are then allowed to soften cuticles and calluses.

The traditional method of soaking the hands or feet has also been shown to dehydrate the skin, Sheldon said.

'Within an hour or two, the skin dries out and the tissue contracts and the nail polish starts to buckle,' she said. Organicures' method is 'actually pumping up, re-hydrating and sealing in that moisture.'

A refrain from soaking also conserves water.

Nearly everything about the shop is environmentally sound, from the flooring to the walls. A high-grade HEPA filtration system clears the air of any pollutants and smells associated with the spa.

'For me, the organic, eco friendly aspect is huge for us,' Sheldon said.

The shop's technicians are licensed and fully trained manicurists and pedicurists. They are also trained in Organicures' methods using surgical grade sterilized utensils.

'It's really safe now to have a worry free manicure and pedicure. We've taken the worry out of it,' Sheldon said.

Manicures cost $50 and pedicures $70, by appointment. Together each run $100.

Sheldon plans to open additional shops throughout the Valley, with a new store every six months. Though the location of a second store hasn't be named, she is considering north Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Gilbert, Glendale and Peoria.

By Nathan Gonzalez

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