How to Avoid Infection From a Spa Pedicure

Everyone wants fabulous feet. But you can’t go to just go anywhere for a pedicure. If you do, you run the risk of contracting a bacteria or fungal infection. Use this as a guide to help you find the right place to get a fantastic and safe pedicure.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Time to visit a few spas

1. Before you head out for a pedicure, make sure you don’t have any open cuts or broken skin on your feet or ankles.

2. Visit your first-choice spa, preferably at a busy time.

3. Make sure the salon has a current license from your state’s Board of Public Health.

4. Pay attention to what the technician does after completing a pedicure. Is the foot bath being cleaned with disinfectant between each customer? If not, this spa is not safe for a pedicure.

5. Ask the technician what is used to clean the foot bath nail instruments. The answer should be an Environmental Protection Agency-registered hospital disinfectant.

Tips & Warnings

• To help ensure that infection is not passed on to your feet, bring your own nail polish to the salon.
• Some salons are using one set of nail instruments per customer and asking clients to bring the tools back for each visit. If your salon does not do this, considering bringing your own bag of nail instruments for use during your pedicures. Using public instruments, even when sterilized, dramatically increases the chance of infection.
• Do not shave your legs, wax or use removal creams 24 hours before going to get a pedicure. The skin can become irritated or infected by the foot spa water.