Frequently I have patients (mainly female) who come into my office and ask, "what do you think about pedicures?" I respond, "they are fine as long as you are aware of a couple of things."
1: I recommend purchasing your own bits and files to be used. Most nail salons are fine with cleanliness but to safeguard against a contaminated tool being used, purchase and take your own and cleanse them yourself.
2: Open cuts, wounds or sores do not have your foot immersed in water. There is a nasty little bacteria that can exist in communal water sources so exercise caution.
3: Thick callouses should be trimmed by your podiatrist. Callouses can mean an ulcer underneath the thick skin, so it is better to have them parred by a medical professional especially if you are diabetic or immuno-compromised. You can maintain your callouses at home using specially designed skin files or a pumice stone.
4: Nail polish. I advise my patients to wear nail polish only for special events and occassions. Put the polish on the nail the day before or the day of and remove the polish one or two days after. Nail polish can cause nails to become brittle and can also lead to fungal nails.
5: If your feet are dry wear socks. Yes, wear natural fiber socks which helps protect your skins natural oils, especially during the summer, and can wick excessive moisture away which can lead to the loss of these oils.
Also, if you are a man and feel comfortable being seen at a spa with a bunch of beautiful women... then by all means... GO!
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
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