Indulging in self-care is a common practice, whether through retail therapy or a relaxing spa day. Unfortunately, not every visit to a salon brings joy.
Tales circulate of gossiping salon workers or, worse, painful experiences due to negligence or allergic reactions.
One woman’s experience at Happy Nails in Laguna Niguel, California, left her in tears and feeling ashamed.
Jennifer Dreyer Brown, who suffers from discoid lupus, an autoimmune disease causing skin inflammation, visited the salon on a scorching day for a manicure and pedicure.
Unbeknownst to her, the staff observed and talked about her condition, leading to an abrupt denial of the promised services.
Claiming they didn’t have time, they eventually admitted her skin condition was the issue. Distressed, Jennifer took to Facebook, sharing her humiliation to warn others about the unfair treatment she faced.
In response, the salon’s attorney defended the staff’s actions, citing compliance with the California Board of Cosmetology’s code regarding inflamed or broken skin.
The attorney clarified that there was no discriminatory intent, emphasizing the workers’ dedication to providing services within the bounds of the law.
Despite the defense, Jennifer, once a regular customer, declared she would never return to the salon.
She hopes her experience sheds light on lupus as a disease, preventing future discrimination and raising awareness about the challenges faced by those with autoimmune conditions.