Pedicures are a popular method for individuals all over the world to treat themselves, whether they are getting ready to go barefoot or simply want to be pampered. When we work hard or exercise properly, our feet are frequently the first to become painful, so having them massaged and beautified can seem like a terrific, well-deserved treat. However, as pleasant as they may feel, there are some health dangers associated with pedicures that are sometimes disregarded.
Cross contamination is by far the most serious risk related with pedicures. The variety of tools used in a salon, together with the constant flow of customers, makes the danger of contracting bacterial or fungal diseases quite serious. If anything comes into contact with your feet, it is likely to come into contact with the feet of other customers, and everything from nail clippers to foot baths can be a source of illness. As a result, if you do decide to get a pedicure, it is critical that you go to a place that thoroughly sterilises their tools. Customers are usually able to see the sterilizing equipment, therefore you should be able to watch staff habits while waiting. Don’t be frightened to leave if they don’t automatically disinfect an instrument once they’ve finished using it.
Foot baths, in particular, are one of the most difficult pieces of equipment to maintain clean because they cannot be placed in a UV ray machine or dumped in fluid, and filth can accumulate in the jets out of sight. Although you may be tempted to shave your legs before receiving a pedicure, doing so puts you at greater danger since small nicks in the skin allow bacteria or fungus to enter your body more easily. Even insect bites or small scratches that you may not be aware of could give a site of entry, so if you are concerned about the danger of infection, you should avoid taking a bath.
Although a pedicurist will largely use the same instruments we would use on ourselves at home, the dangers of sharp blades should not be overlooked. Credo blades resemble a cross between a vegetable peeler and a cheese grater, and depending on where you live, they may be prohibited. Credo blades, like pumice stones, are used to eliminate calluses. However, whereas pumice stones remove dead skin layer by layer, credo blades remove large chunks of skin at a time, including good skin. They can easily break through the skin, increasing the likelihood that traces of someone else’s blood will find their way into yours, so don’t think of these as a special, professional-grade tool, but rather as something to be avoided at all costs.
Pedicures may not be the most dangerous practice on the planet, but the risks they entail should not be overlooked. Some people get them on a regular basis, while others save them for special occasions like weddings. Whatever the reason, if you do decide to have a pedicure, be picky about where you go. Choose a renowned salon rather than the cheapest offer you can locate. Alternatively, you may read our blogs on how to care for your nails at home and how to get your feet ready for summer.