Pedicures can be a great way to pamper yourself. But they can also lead to serious health problems unless salons follow the sanitation procedures required by law.
Lurking in the depths of a foot spa basin may be bacteria, fungal strains, and other dangerous microorganisms that thrive in warm, moist environments. Any break in the skin – like insect bites, scratches, scabs, razor cuts – are gateways for those for those microorganisms to cause infections. Sometimes serious infections.
That’s why we want you to know what to do before you get a pedicure:
- Don’t shave or wax your legs 24 hours before a pedicure. If you have broken skin or lesions on your lower legs, don’t get a pedicure until they have healed.
- Check to see if your salon or cosmetologist has been disciplined for rules violations.
- Ask how the salon cleans and disinfects its pedicure equipment―the response should match the instructions on the health and safety poster provided by the Board and required by law to be displayed on the premises. You also have the right to see the pedicure cleaning and disinfection log.
Wiping out the tub between clients isn’t enough. For example, in the case of whirlpool foot spas and air-jet basins, special disinfectant must circulate through the equipment for 10 minutes between patrons.
If you want to know more about how salons should be cleaning their pedicure equipment, watch the video below.
To learn more about salon safety or to file a complaint, visit the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology’s website.
