Picking the Perfect Place for a Pedicure

Firstly, we assume by you being on our blog that you already know the importance of seeing a podiatrist, this is not something that has changed. It is still imperative for you to see us to ensure that the maintenance of your feet is upheld and any pain or other conditions can be treated, even if you regularly go to a pedicurist. But, we all love a bit of a pamper and there is no reason (unless stated by a podiatrist at your appointment) for you not to be able to go and get a pedicure between your podiatry appointments. 

We can't actually provide the names of different nail salons, but instead can give you general advice on what to look out for and what to check before your appointment. So, let's get started!

Firstly, whether you go to a pedicurist or do these at home, there are some great benefits to having a pedicure between appointments.

Exfoliating and moisturising your feet are great ways to keep them soft and maintained between podiatry appointments. We would usually recommend moisturising your feet at least once a day, but, understand that exfoliating them can be a bit trickier depending on your mobility. If this isn't something that you can do yourself then you may benefit from seeing a professional. Please do check with your podiatrist if you are thinking of exfoliating as this is not suitable for everyone and may be a health risk.

Nails grow at different speeds for everyone and sometimes faster than we expect. It is important to keep nails at a manageable length between appointments to avoid causing pain or discomfort. A podiatrist gets your nails to a length that is more manageable and can advise on how best to maintain these at home, but again we are aware that this may be hard for some. Should this be the case and you do not need more regular podiatry appointments, this can be done by a nail professional. Seeing someone regularly to maintain nail length can also help in the identification of nail infections and a properly trained nail technician should be able to spot these and refer you back to a podiatrist for treatment. 

Prefer some colour on your toenails? There are some brands out there that offer 'breathable' nail varnishes that also include vitamins to provide your nails with beneficial ingredients helping to promote nail health. Before going to get your nails painted ask them which nail varnishes they use, research them, and ensure that they are brands that give a breathable finish and are as natural as possible. 

When booking your appointment check the price, if it is too cheap, it may be due to cheaper product use, or undertrained or untrained staff all of which can be dangerous when attending an appointment. 

When looking for a pedicurist to visit, don't feel that you can't ask them about the cleanliness and hygiene of their salon and tools. Correct aseptic technique and thorough sterilisation of tools using a machine called an autoclave is imperative to avoid cross-contamination. This helps fight the possibility of spreading bacteria and fungus between other clients and you. It is also important to ask the qualifications of the beautician you will be seeing, untrained professionals may not have the knowledge of the dangers of incorrect and sometimes harmful treatments of the feet and can increase the risk of ingrown toenails, the possibility of the spread of bacteria and more.

On entering the salon, check the cleanliness and hygiene of the area and the technicians. Does everything look organised and clean? Are the technicians/beauticians themselves wearing clean and tidy protective clothing? Have they put on fresh gloves and mask before starting? Are the tools new or in a sterilised pouch, have they been opened in front of you? 

Lastly, check the ventilation of the salon itself, is there a strong smell of chemicals when you enter the building? If ventilation is not adequate this can cause the inhalation of not only chemicals but also nail dust, which can be dangerous for the people working there and also for yourself when sitting in the environment. 

We hope that this has helped you know what to look out for when booking in for your next pedicure, and we wish the beauty industry all the best for their reopening!