We just like to treat ourselves occasionally. This can be translated into getting our nails done, receiving a soothing massage, or engaging in some much-needed shopping therapy. Sadly, not every visit to the manicure salon ends happily. We have all heard terrifying tales of clients who go to get their nails done only to discover that the technicians are loudly chatting about them in another language, or even worse, of actual unpleasant experiences brought on by product allergies or worker neglect. But a woman in California went to a nail shop, and it broke her heart and made her feel humiliated. Jennifer Dreyer Brown claims that because she has lupus, the employees at Happy Nails in Laguna Niguel treated her inappropriately.
An autoimmune condition is lupus. Skin irritation and rashes are brought on by the condition. Even though there are obvious symptoms left on the skin, lupus is not communicable, despite what some individuals may believe. Jennifer has discoid lupus, a skin condition that aggravates in the presence of sunlight and results in severe rashes. Jennifer chose to attend the salon on what just so happened to be one of the warmest days of the year. Jennifer had on a sundress because the weather was so hot. The staff agreed to her request when she entered the salon: she wanted to receive both a manicure and a pedicure. She didn’t realize at first that she was being watched and discussed. She thought she would just be getting a typical, soothing spa treatment.
It wasn’t until she was getting her pedicure that she realized the staff was chatting about her. Then, when it was time for Jennifer’s manicure, she was taken aback to learn that the staff had only enough time for a fast finish. They gave her the justification that they were pressed for time. After a while, some employees told Jennifer the truth—that her skin condition was the source of the issue. Jennifer was refused service even when she retorted that she didn’t even have scars.
Jennifer posted a video account of the incident on Facebook to alert others to the harsh treatment she received at the manicure salon because she was so upset and ashamed of her public humiliation.
“The one time I choose to go out in a sundress because its 110 degrees people judge me because I have lupus and my skin is broken out. I never felt more like a leper and more judged in Orange County. I just want you to know you need to be nice to people. You don’t know what’s going on with someone on the inside or outside for that matter.”
The salon’s attorney came to the defense of the salon workers by issuing a statement which claimed the salon staff had remained within the scope of compliance with the California Board of Cosmetology’s code:
“We at Happy Nails feel bad for the customer that presented with Lupus disease. We do not discriminate at Happy Nails. The customer interpreted our inability to work on her nails as discrimination. The workers are very hard working immigrants that would want nothing more than to provide the service. However, they must follow the mandates of the law.”
Jennifer has already stated that she has no plans of ever returning to the salon, despite having been a regular customer. Jennifer also hopes that her experience at the salon will help raise awareness about lupus as a disease and prevent any further discrimination in the future.
