Pedicure Safety Tips from a South Park Podiatrist

June 18, 2019

Getting a pedicure is a relaxing way to treat yourself and make sure that your toes look their best. However, if you’re not careful, an unsanitary pedicure can put your feet at serious risk for an infection. In today’s blog post, our South Park podiatrist shares tips to making sure your feet stay as healthy as possible during your trip to the nail salon.

Vet your nail salon carefully

When choosing a nail salon, examine online reviews, ask for recommendations, and study what you see when you arrive for your appointment. A good nail salon should have:

  • Clean nail stations
  • Nail technicians who wash their hands after each client
  • No dirty tools lying around
  • A visible license or certification

If something seems “off”, don’t hesitate to ask staff about their procedures.

Make sure the tools are sterilized between each client

Pedicure tools should always be soaked in a liquid disinfectant before they are used, to kill microbes and fungi that might linger from previous clients. Some salons might use UV lights to sanitize tools, but these are not as effective at sterilizing the implements.

Instruct your pedicurist to cut your nails straight across

Toenails should always be cut straight across, along the natural contour of the nail. Make sure that your pedicurist doesn’t cut your toenails into rounded shapes, as this can cause ingrown toenails. If you already have ingrown toenails, you are vulnerable to infection, and should hold off on having a pedicure until after you see a podiatrist.

Don’t have a pedicure after shaving your legs

When shaving your legs, the razor creates tiny tears in the skin, which can allow bacteria to directly enter the body and lead to serious infections. You should always wait at least two days after shaving your legs before having a pedicure.

Need professional foot care? Visit our South Park podiatry clinic today

As long as you follow the above safety tips, you should have a relaxing appointment and happy, healthy feet. To take care of your feet even more, be sure to schedule an appointment with our South Park podiatry clinic here.