Whirlpool Foot Spas - Skip the Jets

If your salon doesn’t have simple tub foot soaks and you’re opposed to seeking out one that does, ask that your pedicurist not turn on the whirlpool during your foot soak. The jets in the whirlpool are harder to clean than the basin and can harbor bacteria and fungus. Ask your salon if they run the required minimum 10-minute sanitation cycle between clients on their foot baths or refuse to sit in a chair you know was just occupied by a previous client and not properly cleaned. If you want to be even more safe, you can also look into buying and bringing your own foot bath liners to avoid cross-contamination with previous clients.

Just Say No to Sharing

When you walk into the salon for your appointment, you should look for a business that has their tools soaking in a blue liquid disinfectant (like Barbicide) and make sure that all the soaking tools look like they were properly cleaned prior to being put in the jar. You want to avoid salons that are using UV lights to sanitize tools because it takes much more than that to kill the bacteria and fungus that could be hanging out on them. Further,  any non-metal tools, including nail files, foot pumices and buffers, should not be shared between clients because they cannot be sterilized. Want to be sure that your tools are all your own? You can create a BYO mani/pedi kit by visiting any beauty supply store and bringing your own tools with you to each visit. Be sure that you sterilize them afterward, in case they came into contact with other used or non-sterilized tools at the salon.

Be Careful with Cutting

You need to instruct your pedicurist to cut toenails straight across the contour of the nail and never into the corners, which will encourage the nail to grow into the skin, causing painful ingrown toenails. Rounded fingernails are one thing -- rounded toenails are a no-no. If possible, ask your nail technician to avoid cutting your cuticles altogether and ask that they simply push them back to avoid bacterial infections.