I love getting pedicures, but I’m a bit of a Germaphobe. So I’m always paranoid when I go into a new salon. And my friend and manicurist Erin West at Studio G in South Tampa says I have every reason to be.
Courtesy Studio G
A lot of spas don’t use sanitary practices, so how do you know what to look for?
Me: How do I know if they’ve sanitized the foot bath?
Erin: Just ask. State law requires all foot baths to be disinfected properly with an EPA-registered, hospital-grade bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal and pseudomonacidal solution for at least 10 minutes. (Whirlpool foot spas with screens, foot plates or jets need even more detailed cleaning and are difficult to keep clean.) Just spraying a disinfectant on pedicure equipment is inadequate. Bowls and whirlpool systems need to be soaked, and don’t let anyone tell you differently. I use a pedicure bowl that does not have circulating water and I am required to soak it in a hospital-grade disinfectant for at least 10 minutes in between clients. You have every right to ask manicurists or salon owners to see their disinfection system. I show my procedure and my cleaning products to clients all the time. And don’t forget, metal tools used during manicures and pedicures, such as cuticle pushers, clippers, etc., need to be adequately cleaned and soaked with the same hospital-grade disinfectants.
Me: Can I ask them to use a new nail file just for me?
Erin: You can. Disposable nail files and buffers should be available. I do not share porous elements like these between clients. You get your own. (If a salon does share files and buffers they must be disinfected between clients. Make sure the file can even be cleaned. Some can’t.)
Me: What kind of infections can you get from an unsanitary salon?
Erin: Nail fungus is the most common infection spread in unclean conditions. It can be hard to get rid of but is treatable. Even worse, bacterial and viral infections can be transmitted. If skin is punctured (which shouldn’t be happening anyway) during a manicure or pedicure and nail equipment is not disinfected properly, serious illnesses such as staph infections, hepatitis and HIV can be passed between clients. Keep in mind that infection can be transmitted through unclean metal tools AND foot baths.
Me: They always say don’t shave your legs 24 hours before a pedicure, why is that?
Erin: Right, shaving or open cuts or sores on your feet or legs can leave you vulnerable to infection in an unclean salon. Scrubs and lotions might also irritate freshly shaved skin.
Me: Erin, I know we’ve talked about this before but some of my friends have mentioned going to places that still use razors. This is illegal in Florida, right?
Erin: Yes, they are illegal and should be. It’s not just a sanitation issue. Razors take off too much skin and cause the skin to grow back thicker and quicker. Skin goes into heal mode. (Scrapers and graters also have this effect.) Razors can cause serious injury and lead to serious infection if they aren’t cleaned properly. Disposable abrasive foot files, similar to sandpaper, are a much better option. They will smooth calluses but not remove them. I use a new abrasive pad on each client and disinfect the metal file. By the way, calluses are actually good for you. They protect areas of skin that are damaged during your everyday activities. If they are painful you should see a podiatrist.
Me: Let’s talk a little about green. Many women are looking for environmentally and organic options, what types of products do you use?
Erin: I use Zoya nail polish and nail treatments, which are formulated for natural nails. Zoya has no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP (phthalates) or camphor and is vegan-friendly. Pregnant women are especially concerned about avoiding these toxins. I also use Qtica products (from Art of Beauty, the makers of Zoya) as healing products for nails, cuticles and skin. Their remover is a mild acetone and has a great scent.
Me: Besides being trendy, why is it so important?
Erin: Zoya and Qtica products are designed to not dry out the nail. Formaldehyde and other toxins in many nail polishes are dehydrating to the nail plate and can cause damage. Some people also are concerned about the possibility of toxins entering their system through the nail plate. Zoya polishes provide long-lasting color without those harmful effects. They’ve been featured in magazines such as “Women’s Health” magazine People’s “Style Watch,” and “InStyle.”
Me: Is there anything else customers should know?
Erin: Yes, make sure your nail technician or manicurist has a license! There are unlicensed people working in some establishments. Also, serious foot issues are for a podiatrist, not a pedicurist. We can only keep your feet and hands healthy, not diagnose or treat medical issues. Manicures and pedicures are not supposed to hurt or injure you. Trust your instincts. Leave if you don’t think the salon is clean, causes you pain or won’t answer your questions about their sanitation practices. These services are supposed to make you happy and relaxed!
And oh yeah, if you want to see me for a manicure or pedicure, I’m at 2603 W. Azeele in Tampa, (813) 350-9300. I’ll give you a “Miss Attitude” discount.
Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude
Editor’s note: Erin West and Studio G were one of Miss Attitude’s first sponsors. However, I did not receive any payment, services and/or product for this blog entry. I asked Erin to answer these questions because I think women deserve to pamper themselves, but should stay safe in the process.
Tags: attitude, beauty, erin west, green, miss attitude, pedi, pedicure, Qtica, salon, spa, studio g, tampa, vegan-friendly, zoya
I’m always afraid to go to a new salon. You never know what’s going to be going on. The salon I have visited for my last few pedicures orders the cutest little pedi-kits. all of the tools come wrapped and they open a new one for every client. It’s pretty neat!
Love the places that give you your own kit & slippers! A friend in Tucson got flesh eating bacteria from a pedi…still in litigation for $$. She shaved before her pedi…like the expert said above…don’t do that! She also has diabetes which compounded the issue. Many of us wouldn’t have a bad reax to most bacteria. For her it was a nightmare! Luckily the doc diagnosed it quick and she didn’t loose her leg or life. She just has a huge scar & indent where they took out all the muscle on her lower leg.
You are definitely the real deal!
Awesome blog article.Much thanks again. Keep writing.