What Are the Health Risks of Pedicure? How To Avoid Them?

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Spring has finally arrived, which means it’s time for pedicure season.

When the weather heats up and you start leaving the home sockless with your toes out for all to see, you might reconsider wearing those peep-toes.

Because some of us aren’t that flexible, we wouldn’t be able to pedicure ourselves as frequently as we do manicures and nail art.

It’s hard to think of anything more peaceful than lying back in a massage chair while your nails are pampered and polished.

Unfortunately, your wonderful pedicures may be harmful to your health, but who would have thought it?

Pedicures may still be enjoyed safely if you take the time to think about a few simple measures.

The risks of professional pedicures

Public places, with their high volume of visitors and staff who may be too busy to adequately clean equipment and instruments, are breeding grounds for pathogens including bacteria, yeast, and viruses.

Who should not get a professional pedicure?

Diabetes patients with weak circulation should not get pedicures. Anyone else doing so does so at their own risk. Check to see whether the nail salon has a sterilization license and that all the devices in the salon are as clean as possible.

How to stay safe when getting a pedicure (Precautions)

1. Safety in the Bathtub for Your Feet

Bacteria and fungi lurk in even the most meticulously cleaned foot baths. Taking a dip in the warm water is OK, if the jets are turned off. Infected wounds and scratches on your foot are a potential entry point for bacteria trapped within.

A foot tub lined with disposable liners is something you want to look for when choosing a salon. Avoid contamination and infection with the individuals who received the service before you in this manner. The use of plastic liners is an absolute must.

If the saloon doesn’t use them or don’t keep them upon request, or don’t allow you to bring your own – please think about changing the salon.

2. Sanitization

Ensure that footbaths are fully drained, sanitized, and rinsed by salon staff before each use.

When your feet are submerged in water, bacteria and fungi may enter the body, especially if you have a nick, cut, insect bite, or scrape.

Dead skin and germs may accumulate in the foot bath’s hard-to-clean water jets even if the tub itself is cleansed.

3. Bring your own tools (If Possible)

Think about carrying your own items for maximum security. I suggest that please keep a personal and dedicated set of equipment and supplies to be used in the saloon since diseases may spread via dirty instruments.

The equipment includes emery boards and pumice stones because these equipment can’t be sterilized because of their porous structure. Some salons give out individual pedicure kits to their customers, who are asked to bring them back each time.

Purchase your own materials if you don’t have any on hand. Make sure to contact ahead to ensure that your request will be honored.

4.Toenails Shaped in a Rounder Fashion

An ingrown toenail is more likely to occur if the nails are shaped in this fashion. Don’t scrimp on the details and stick to square forms. A few warm waters soak a day may help cure ingrown toenails at home, but if the discomfort or damage spreads, or if you have poor circulation (diabetes, peripheral vascular disease), you should contact your local doctor.

5.Nail Salon with a good reputation

Nail salons should be certified to disinfect their equipment or use brand new tools from sealed packages for each client. You may also bring your own tools to the salon if that’s more convenient.