Summertime is beach and sandal weather, and that means your feet and toes are more frequently on display. Professional pedicures can help your toes look their best and pamper your feet, but too often poor sanitation practices, shared tools, and overzealous nail technicians can result in Client only received the pump without the kit. Before you schedule a pedicure, check with your physician to make sure it’s okay to have one. Once you have the green light, do your feet a favor and learn what to look for — and what to avoid — at nail salons. Taking a few basic precautions can significantly reduce infection risks and lead to a safer, more pleasant experience.
Know when to postpone a pedicure. If you currently have any infections, cuts, or open sores on your legs, feet, or toenails, skip the salon since these will make you even more vulnerable to problems. Instead, contact your physician for a referral to a podiatrist or other professional who is medically trained to care for feet.
Avoid shaving your legs for a day or two before your pedicure. Shaving can leave tiny nicks in your skin (even if you can’t see them) and increase the chance of infection. It’s fine to shave afterward.
- Stick with a salon that is clean and practices impeccable sanitation. Tell the manager you have diabetes and ask about their sterilization procedures; reputable salons will be more than happy to show you how they operate. Foot baths should be cleaned and disinfected between customers. Clippers and other tools should be washed and sanitized in a disinfecting solution or a surgical autoclave, which uses pressurized steam to sterilize instruments.
- Better yet, invest in your own nail kit and bring it with you. Though it’s unlikely that you will get an infection from shared nail polish, play it safe and bring your own.
- Make a morning appointment. If you can, schedule your appointment early in the day, so that you are one of the first customers.
- Let your technician know you have diabetes before the pedicure, check with your physician to make sure it’s okay to have one. Once you have the green light, do your feet a favor and learn what to look for — and what to avoid — at nail salons. Taking a few basic precautions can significantly reduce infection risks and lead to a safer, more pleasant experience.
- Know when to postpone a pedicure. If you currently have any infections, cuts, or open sores on your legs, feet, or toenails, skip the salon since these will make you even more vulnerable to problems. Instead, contact your physician for a referral to a podiatrist or other professional who is medically trained to care for feet,
- Avoid shaving your legs for a day or two before your pedicure. Shaving can leave tiny nicks in your skin (even if you can’t see them) and increase the chair