Nail salons are everywhere, and generally always at capacity, but should you join the masses and have a pedicure? Whilst the set-up looks the same and the low-cost may be appealing the end result, when compared to visiting a Podiatrist, may be very different. So why should you visit a Podiatrist for your nail and skincare needs?

– Podiatrists have completed 4 years of training: Through this University training, podiatrists have developed the knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose and treat a variety of foot conditions.

– Podiatrists adhere to national infection control standards: Any instruments used on your feet have been sterilised after each client ensuring there is no risk of cross contamination. In addition, blades and sanding discs are single-use meaning you can be confident that your visit will not result in any nasty infections.

 – Podiatrists will deliver a better long-term outcome: The training provided to podiatrists mean they can not only treat the nail or skin issue more effectively, using better equipment, but they also understand why it has happened. This allows for steps to be taken to prevent recurrence through education on footwear, offloading techniques and self-care.

 – Podiatrists can protect your long-term health: Throw-away lines like ‘my toes get numb’, ‘I get cramps in my feet’ or ‘my balance isn’t like it used to be’ can be signs of more serious issues. By visiting a podiatrist semi-regularly they can assess your vascular and neurological status, refer you off for further testing if needed, and formulate an evidence-based treatment plan.

The only thing Podiatrists don’t offer as part of the treatment is nail polish application due in part to our generally terrible application skills!! More importantly, nail polish, due to the various chemicals used in the formulation, can damage the nail plate causing brittleness and commonly a white or yellow discolouration. Whilst they appear the same, this is different to a fungal infection which is commonly transferred from one person to another via poor hygiene and sterilisation practices but can be worsened by using nail polish as it provides an occlusive environment that fungus thrives in. Therefore, if you want to use nail polish we advise you remove it every week, have a few days in between applications to assess the nails for any changes, and look for ‘healthier’ alternatives that are commonly labelled as being ‘3, 5,7 or 10-Free’ which means they are free of the nasty chemicals found in most nail polishes.

If after reading this you still want to get a pedicure I would suggest you follow these steps when deciding where to go:

 – Ensure they use sterile instruments: Make sure you see them open the packaging in front of you

 – Assess the overall cleanliness/hygiene of the facility: This gives you a good idea of what service to expect from the technician and avoid the foot soaks- just replacing the water between clients is not enough to remove any bacteria or fungus in the tub.

 – Don’t let them push your cuticles back: The cuticles are meant to adhere to the nail plate and act as an important barrier in the prevention of foot infections

 – Take your own nail polish: There is nothing wrong in suggesting they use your nail polish and brush to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Typically, day spas are going to have higher standards of service than your shopping centre beauty salons if you want more of a ‘pamper’. However, we strongly suggest you have at least 2 visits to a podiatrist per year so any issues can be addressed quickly and steps put in place to ensure your feet are healthy for years to come.

To book your appointment with one of our Podiatrists call 94805522 or book online via the website

by Mark Whiteside

 

 

 

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