Many of them roam the city’s neighborhoods and bars in search of potential customers. While the services are cheap and accessible to all, the health risks should not be ignored.
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“When I arrived in Ngaoundéré a few months ago, I had my nails cut once by these young men. The service is cheaper and quick,” says Inna, a worker at a company in Ngaoundéré. Like her, residents of Ngaoundéré regularly get their nails cut by these mobile nail technicians.
In the alleyways and bars of Ngaoundéré’s neighborhoods, these beauticians roam
the streets in search of potential customers. Self-proclaimed specialists in manicures and pedicures, these operators crisscross the urban thoroughfares looking for clients in a hurry, offering their services at rock-bottom prices, often 100 CFA francs for all ten fingers and 100 CFA francs for the toes. For 200 CFA francs, the job is done.
Equipped with minimal supplies, including a pair of scissors, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, detergent, and a sponge, they’re ready to get to work. In just a few minutes, the job is done, and with their money in hand, they continue on their way in search of new customers. « It’s quick and cheap, ideal for everyone, » says Frida, a vendor who admits to giving in to temptation. She doesn’t hesitate to compare these mobile beauticians to traditional hair salons. Customers appreciate the convenience and affordability compared to fixed salons, which are considered too expensive.
However, this cheaper practice is causing serious concern. The poor hygiene of the tools, which are rarely properly sterilized, exposes users to severe skin infections. « There is a risk of HIV infection, as well as infection by certain bacteria and yeasts. The tools can transmit hepatitis B, HIV, or fungal infections, » warns Denis Dangné Madoué, a biologist at the Ngaoundéré Regional Hospital. Housseina, a senior state-certified nurse, agrees. According to her, many people sometimes fall ill without knowing the cause. She recommends using a personal nail clipper, which she believes helps limit the risk of infection.
While healthcare professionals warn about the dangers of getting nails cut in unsanitary conditions, people continue to take advantage of these cheap beauticians’ services, jeopardizing their health. Meanwhile, those involved are rubbing their hands together, as daily earnings approach 5,000 francs per person.
