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Make Sure Safety Is Afoot During Pedicures

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 9, 2008

Pedicures are supposed to be a relaxing, indulgent experience. Dr. Marc Katz of Advanced Podiatry in South Tampa offers these tips to make sure you leave with your feet looking gorgeous, not gruesome:

Take your own pedicure instruments: It's much safer. Wash them with soap and water and rinse them with alcohol or iodine when you get home. Some salons will give you your own kit and keep them for you.

Get a recommendation: Ask people you know who have been going to a salon for a long time.

Check licenses: Don't be afraid to ask to see a license. A licensed salon will be happy to show you.

Ask how the salon sanitizes tools between clients: An autoclave, a device that sterilizes tools with steam and heat, is best, Katz says. That big blue jar you see instruments swimming in may not destroy bacteria or fungus.

If the salon uses a foot bath, make sure you see someone clean the tub: If it has jets, make sure someone circulates the cleaning agent through the jets. Check to see whether screens and filters are changed or sanitized after every customer.

Make sure the nail techs wear gloves when they do your nails.

Don't let the nail tech cut your cuticles: "Cuticles are there for a reason, it's a protection barrier for your nail," Katz says. "When you cut your cuticles, you open them up and expose bacteria to the deeper tissue."

Never allow a tech to use a foot razor or scalpel on your feet: They are against the law in Florida and most states.

Check for general cleanliness: Is there dirt or nail clippings on the floor? This could indicate a lack of attention to cleanliness.

Don't shave your legs 24 hours before a pedicure: Broken skin gives infection an easy in.

If you suspect you have an infection, see your doctor immediately.

Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656 or e-mail ccabrera@tampatrib.com

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