In 2016, more beauty and grooming salons opened in the UK than any other independent business. Latest figures show that women on average have 10 pedicures a year and spend £994 per annum on beauty treatments. Men are increasingly getting in on the act, spending on average £779 per year. I am not one of those women, but my terrible nails are a good talking point when I go into nail bars to spot signs of slavery and exploitation.

Trio who used trafficked girls to work in nail bars jailed under slavery laws Read more

These visits are part of the work of the south-west’s Anti-Slavery Partnership. Partners from law enforcement, statutory agencies and the voluntary sector come together to investigate businesses in which slavery and exploitation may be occurring. We try to make sure that people who may be victims of exploitation are aware of their rights and that there are agencies out there who are able to help. We know that exploiters and traffickers often keep their victims isolated from the community in which they work in order to exert control over them.

One of those visits led to the UK’s first successful prosecution of modern slavery involving minors earlier this week in Bath, where two people were jailed after forcing children trafficked from Vietnam to work in nail bars.

Budget nail bars have taken our high streets by storm. Cheaper than traditional beauty salons, with no appointment required, they appeal to our insatiable desire for a bargain, need for instant gratification and the modern necessity to feel good about ourselves. And we want all of this without interacting with the person behind the mask providing our treatment.

But this desire for cheap service can fuel modern slavery. The current estimate is that there are 40 million slaves worldwide – and it is often unclear what practical steps an individual can take to avoid using “slave labour” in pursuing our beauty regimes.

The reality is that it is the people using the nail bars who can provide the best information as to what is happening there. Familiarise yourself with the warning signs, report anything suspicious and make informed choices about the beauty salons you visit.

Our purchasing decisions hold power. If more of us are using nail bars, we need to understand the implications of what we are potentially participating in.

Regulation and licencing of nail bars is largely voluntary and, outside of a few London boroughs, this lack of regulation allows exploitative practices to continue. It is suggested that in some budget and discount nail bars no background or training checks of the technicians are conducted. Additionally, some nail bars use chemicals which, while not illegal in the UK, are not considered best practice. Warnings of allergic reactions and permanent damage to nails are concerning – and that is before we consider the potential issues of slavery, trafficking and exploitation among the workforce delivering the treatments.

It may cost more to visit a legitimate salon, but surely it’s worth doing your bit to eradicate slavery, reduce crime in your area – and support businesses who are trying to do things in the right way?

• Kate Garbers is managing director of the anti-slavery organisation Unseen