Aimee Herring
How to Get a Safer Salon Pedicure
Ask a friend. Having your feet done at an unknown place is a big
risk, as unsanitary conditions can cause long-term problems. Jane
Andersen, a podiatrist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, says a
toenail fungus can take up to a year to clear up.
Give the salon the once-over. Examine the floors, the rest rooms,
the towels, and the nails of the people offering you the service,
advises Jeanine Downie, a dermatologist in Montclair, New Jersey.
Ask if the implements have been disinfected in an autoclave (a
machine resembling a toaster oven that uses heat to kill bacteria),
or bring your own nail kit with you.
Watch where you soak your feet. Make sure the tub is cleaned with
a bactericide (such as bleach) after each use. Manicurist Kristi
Marie Jones recommends bringing tea-tree oil and having a few drops
added to your tub — it's a natural antimicrobial.
