PUBLIC RECORDS REVEAL . . . that while San Diego County is home to about 3,640 salons—five times the number of local gas stations.—from exclusive spas to discount shops, many are putting customers at risk, according to a San Diego Union-Tribune analysis.

Between July 2003 and June 2008, inspectors cited more than half the local salons for at least one health violation and fined them a total of $1.35 million. The most common problems were failing to throw away dirty items and not storing disinfected tools in clean, covered and labeled containers.
    There is nothing that says how often salons must be inspected, and many go without scrutiny for years.
    The state's Board of Barbering and Cosmetology currently employs 22 inspectors, who are responsible for scrutinizing 44,921 establishments statewide. That's about one inspector for every 2,000 establishments.