MashaJF
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 9, 2010
- 246
- 119
Summer's the ideal time to pamper yourself with a manicure and pedicurea bright fresh polish looks great when your feet are on display. But before you stroll into your neighborhood nail salon, take these smart steps to avoid the unpleasant: a fungal or bacterial infection.
Do a cleanliness check
Of course the salon should look well-scrubbed and neat, without dirty tools or used paper slippers lying around. But take a sniff at the door: A strong chemical smell may signal that the salon needs to be better ventilated. Also, ask if foot-soaking tubs are cleaned between clients; I'm always really relieved when they wipe mine down right in front of me. You can even bring along your own bleach wipes and ask a salon employee to pass a wipe or two over the tub and any other spaces where you will be putting your bare feet.
Make sure tools are sterile
Ask how nail implements are sanitized between customers. The ideal answer: With an autoclave, which heat-sterilizes them. UV light boxes and chemical sterilization with germicide and fungicide can also do the trick.
Tote your own kit
If youre a frequent salon visitor, think about purchasing an inexpensive drugstore manicure kit (with tools like an orange stick, nail buffer and nail file) to bring with you. Ask the salon if theyll store it for you between appointments. If not, try this do-it-yourself kit-cleaning step: Soak your instruments in a solution of one part bleach to four parts water for 15 minutes.
Say no to the foot razor
Dont let the manicurist scrape callused skin off your heels; this can put you at higher risk for an infection. Let a podiatrist handle any calluses you have. He or she can treat them and pinpoint possible causes which can include a bone abnormality or shoe-fit problems that may point to the need for an orthotic.
Skip the clip
Its fine to let the manicurist gently push cuticles back after theyve been softened by a good soak, but cutting cuticles can expose you to infection.
Know the signs of infection
If you have a red, inflamed, swollen or tender area around a nail, contact your doctor right away. Infections under and around toenails can quickly become urgent; youll probably need antibiotics and/or an office procedure to relieve swelling. Report unusual nail discoloration yellow, green, blue or black as well. This can signal infection too.
3 Ways to Love Your Toes
Head Off Ingrown Toenails
Square-shaped nails are certainly the style these days. But make sure the manicurist leaves you with just a slight roundness at the outer edges of your toenails. That will cut the likelihood of painful ingrown toenails, which are more likely to occur when the corners of your nails are wide and square.
Do a Between-Pedicures Check
If youre changing your polish, take a minute to examine your nails for brown spots. Ive had a number of patients with melanoma under their toenailstheir manicurists spotted it and saved their lives. Also, check for streaks of color under the nail; this can indicate trauma to the nail bed. If you spot either, see your dermatologist.
Give Nails Time to Breathe
If your nails are yellowish, you might be concerned about nail fungus (onychomycosis). But more often than not, the yellow hue is the result of using nail polish too consistently. Nail polishes can literally suffocate the nail, causing changes that can lead to yellowing. To get rid of the yellow tone, skip manicures and pedicures for six months.
Ellen Marmur, M.D., is chief of the division of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and co-author of Simple Skin Beauty (Atria, 2010).
From our sister publication, Remedy's Healthy Living (Summer 2011)
Source: Manicure and Pedicure Health and Safety Tips - Ingrown Toenails - HealthCommunities
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 21 Jun 2011
Reviewed by:
Last Reviewed:
Last Modified:11 Jul 2011
Do a cleanliness check
Of course the salon should look well-scrubbed and neat, without dirty tools or used paper slippers lying around. But take a sniff at the door: A strong chemical smell may signal that the salon needs to be better ventilated. Also, ask if foot-soaking tubs are cleaned between clients; I'm always really relieved when they wipe mine down right in front of me. You can even bring along your own bleach wipes and ask a salon employee to pass a wipe or two over the tub and any other spaces where you will be putting your bare feet.
Make sure tools are sterile
Ask how nail implements are sanitized between customers. The ideal answer: With an autoclave, which heat-sterilizes them. UV light boxes and chemical sterilization with germicide and fungicide can also do the trick.
Tote your own kit
If youre a frequent salon visitor, think about purchasing an inexpensive drugstore manicure kit (with tools like an orange stick, nail buffer and nail file) to bring with you. Ask the salon if theyll store it for you between appointments. If not, try this do-it-yourself kit-cleaning step: Soak your instruments in a solution of one part bleach to four parts water for 15 minutes.
Say no to the foot razor
Dont let the manicurist scrape callused skin off your heels; this can put you at higher risk for an infection. Let a podiatrist handle any calluses you have. He or she can treat them and pinpoint possible causes which can include a bone abnormality or shoe-fit problems that may point to the need for an orthotic.
Skip the clip
Its fine to let the manicurist gently push cuticles back after theyve been softened by a good soak, but cutting cuticles can expose you to infection.
Know the signs of infection
If you have a red, inflamed, swollen or tender area around a nail, contact your doctor right away. Infections under and around toenails can quickly become urgent; youll probably need antibiotics and/or an office procedure to relieve swelling. Report unusual nail discoloration yellow, green, blue or black as well. This can signal infection too.
3 Ways to Love Your Toes
Head Off Ingrown Toenails
Square-shaped nails are certainly the style these days. But make sure the manicurist leaves you with just a slight roundness at the outer edges of your toenails. That will cut the likelihood of painful ingrown toenails, which are more likely to occur when the corners of your nails are wide and square.
Do a Between-Pedicures Check
If youre changing your polish, take a minute to examine your nails for brown spots. Ive had a number of patients with melanoma under their toenailstheir manicurists spotted it and saved their lives. Also, check for streaks of color under the nail; this can indicate trauma to the nail bed. If you spot either, see your dermatologist.
Give Nails Time to Breathe
If your nails are yellowish, you might be concerned about nail fungus (onychomycosis). But more often than not, the yellow hue is the result of using nail polish too consistently. Nail polishes can literally suffocate the nail, causing changes that can lead to yellowing. To get rid of the yellow tone, skip manicures and pedicures for six months.
Ellen Marmur, M.D., is chief of the division of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and co-author of Simple Skin Beauty (Atria, 2010).
From our sister publication, Remedy's Healthy Living (Summer 2011)
Source: Manicure and Pedicure Health and Safety Tips - Ingrown Toenails - HealthCommunities
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 21 Jun 2011
Reviewed by:
Last Reviewed:
Last Modified:11 Jul 2011
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