Stay Hairy or Skip the Leg Massage

Those leg massages that come with pedicures have many women grabbing the razor before heading out the door so that our legs don’t feel like pine trees, but it can increase the risk of infection. Small cuts can allow bacteria to be introduced into breaks in the skin, causing cellulitis or MRSA infections. Doctors recommend waiting at least two days after shaving before going in for a pedicure or you can ask your pedicurist to skip the leg massage altogether.

Avoid Door Buster Deals

Group coupon sites and promotional discounts for mani-pedi specials are incredibly tempting for those of us who want to work some luxury into our monthly budgets. These deals, however, can lead to crowded salons and quick turnover, which can mean that sanitation procedures are subject to cut corners or missed steps to accommodate the salon’s bottom line. To minimize your risks, you should try to schedule a pedicure on a weekday morning when possible, when food baths have been freshly sanitized and have not been used by multiple clients already.

Following the above-outlined steps can minimize your risk of contracting an infection during your next pedicure. Most of all, use common sense. If the salon you walk into doesn’t look like it’s up to code or if you’re asked to sit at a station where you know a foot bath hasn’t been properly disinfected, speak up and say no.

If you have a procedure done and notice that you have redness around any cuts in your skin, especially redness that’s accompanied by streaking that radiates out from the wound, visit your doctor immediately to deal with what might be cellulitis or another infection. Early treatment is key to a quick recovery with antibiotics and will prevent the infection from spreading or becoming serious.