Posts for tag: Pedicure
Memorial Day signals the beginning of summer, beach days, and wearing sandals. This means that more than ever, your feet are letting loose and showing some skin. What better way to feel confident and comfortable with your feet than getting a pedicure. Not only will a pedicure make your feet look great, it supports proper foot hygiene and can help boost your body’s overall health. The following is a list of Pedicure Do’s and Don’ts published by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). The list is meant to keep you safe while looking good. If you have diabetes or poor circulation in your feet, it is important to consult your podiatrist so they can recommend a customized pedicure plan for optimal foot health.
Do
- Schedule your pedicure first thing in the morning when the salon baths are cleanest.
- Make sure the salon uses proper sterilization techniques to prevent the transfer of bacteria and fungus.
- Soak your feet in warm water for at least 5 minutes prior to using a pumice stone, foot file, or exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin or calluses.
- Use a toenail clipper with a straight edge when trimming nails.
- Use an emery board and file lightly in one direction to smooth nail edges.
- Gently use a wooden or rubber manicure stick under your nails to keep them free from dirt and build-up.
- Apply an emollient-enriched moisturizer to keep your skin moist and soles soft.
- Use a rubber cuticle pusher or manicure stick to gently push back cuticles.
- Use nail polish to paint toenails if they are healthy, but make sure to remove the polish regularly with non-acetone remover.
Don’t
- Shave your legs before receiving a pedicure. Freshly shaven legs or small cuts on your legs and feet may allow bacteria to enter.
- While at the salon don’t use the same tools for a pedicure and manicure. This will help prevent transfer of bacteria and fungus.
- Allow technicians to use a foot razor to remove dead skin. A razor can cause permanent damage if used incorrectly and can easily cause infection.
- Don’t round the edges of your toenails as this increases the chances of developing ingrown toenails.
- Don’t share nail files with friends and be sure that the salon uses a new one for each customer.
- Don’t use a sharp tool to clean under the nails. This makes it easy to puncture the skin, making it suspect to infection.
- Leaving moisture between toes can promote fungal infection or skin cracking.
- Cutting cuticles increases the risk of infection and persistently pushing back cuticles can make them thicker.
- Use nail polish to cover up a thick or discolored toenail. This won’t allow the nail bed to get the necessary moisture and can make the fungal problem worse.
By Dr. Scott Hamilton of Coastal Podiatry Associates, Myrtle Beach SC.