
In 2008, Susan Harrison realized her vision to provide the ultimate stylish, sanitary and stress-free nail care experience to Columbia with the launch of Soak Nail Spa, located in the heart of Forest Acres. Susan operates her business with a philosophy of meeting the needs of customers and providing them with the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene and the health protection they deserve. These are the standards first prescribed to her by the dermatologists who treated her for a micro-bacterial infection that she contracted from a whirlpool pedicure footbath at a nail salon. Following this frightening personal experience, Susan dreamed of ways to increase the availability of manicures and pedicures that focus on health, well-being and protection from infection.
Soak takes cleanliness to a whole new level by using cutting-edge and acclaimed hygiene and sanitation practices. Unlike in many nail salons, Soak nail technicians do not use whirlpool footbaths (that have been deemed a potential health hazard and breeding ground for skin-disfiguring micro-bacterium) when performing pedicures. Instead customers are seated at throne-like pedicure stations outfitted with stainless steel sinks that are filled with fresh running water that is never re-circulated. All sinks are then cleaned between each clienbt using hospital grade disinfectant. In further pursuit of what Susan calls “hygiene excellence,” Soak employs autoclaving methods for sterilization in order to disinfect all metal tools used during manicure and pedicure services. Autoclaving is the highest standard in sterilization and the same method used by medical facilities across the United States. Following this process, the sterile instruments are sealed and placed inside individual disposable pouches to ensure they remain bacteria-free. The pouches are then re-opened by nail technicians at the start of each manicure or pedicure service.