Pedicure Advice

With the warmer temperatures outside, open toed shoes are making their way out of the closet and slipped on underneath beautifully manicured feet. The pedicure season is in full swing!

Unfortunately, not all pedicure facilities offer clean and proper foot care and infections and other foot ailments may arise.  We would like to share the following advice for individuals deciding on a location to receive a pedicure:

• Make sure that the instruments used are clean and sterilized.
• Make sure foot tubs or basins are drained after performing a pedicure to get rid of all the bacteria present.
• Make sure the technician’s hands are clean.
• If you are diabetic, pedicures are not advised. Visit your podiatrist before receiving a pedicure to identify any potential risks.
• Do not allow aggressive cleaning. Nails should be cut straight with slightly rounded edges. If bleeding of calluses occurs, see your podiatrist.
• Discolored or sickly nails should be treated by your podiatrist.
• Since polish hides the nails from the sun and can foster fungus, you may wish to limit the use of polish to special occasions. However, keeping your feet clean, trimmed and skin moisturized for summer sandal wearing is recommended.
• If you have a damaged or short toenail, call our office to get a consultation. You may be a candidate for a new nail procedure that will allow you to apply nail polish to a more normal appearing nailplate.