Skin Health Skin Health Basics

Manicure & Pedicure Hazards

Summary & Participants

A trip to the nail salon: Time for the toes to take center stage. But those pretty nails can come with a price.

Medically Reviewed On: July 15, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: It’s sandal season, time for the toes to take center stage. For many women, that also means a trip to the nail salon. But those pretty nails can come with a price.

ANDREA CAMBIO, MD, DERMATOLOGIST:Getting a manicure or pedicure puts you at risk for developing skin allergy, either from the glues or some of the chemicals or developing a skin infection.

ANNOUNCER: While the risks sound intimidating, there are common sense ways to protect yourself.

ANDREA CAMBIO, MD, DERMATOLOGIST: You want to look and make sure there are no instruments that are dirty lying around. You want to look and make sure that the place is licensed. It’s okay to ask questions to the staff as far as how their instruments are cleaned or what type of chemicals are used.

ANNOUNCER: Also, doctors recommend postponing a visit to the salon if you have a cut or a scrape near the nail. And cutting the cuticles is a no-no.

KIM D’AMATO, OWNER, PRITI ORGANICS SPA: We try to encourage you to push back cuticles, because each time you cut, you open yourself to infection. Cuticles are there to protect you. The same with your feet as well.

ANNOUNCER: You might even want to bring your own instruments to the salon. Some doctors say that’s a way to avoid infection. If you don’t, make sure the tools are properly sterilized, and anything that’s not metal is used only once. Finally, if you notice a problem on your hands or feet, be sure to see your doctor. Above all, play it safe.

ANDREA CAMBIO, MD, DERMATOLOGIST: We need to really try to do things that eliminate our potential risk of infection and allergy.

ANNOUNCER: Thanks for joining us on today’s Once Daily.