Health

Is it better to perform pedicures with or without gloves?

September 01, 2010 | Bookmark +

I would like to know if it is better to perform pedicures with or without gloves? What types of infections or skin disorders can a nail technician get on her hands from infected clients?  Is soaking with an antibacterial, antifungal, cross-contamination-preventing soak enough to protect our precious hands?

Answer

Simply wearing gloves is not enough. What would your next client think if she discovered you had just finished working on a client with an infection, but you wore gloves? Do you think it would make her feel any better? But more importantly, nail professionals are required to turn away a client with an infection and not perform any services until the infection has completely healed and disappeared. Nail professionals are only allowed to work on healthy nails and intact skin with no visible signs of disease or infections. Professional nail services are for beautification and nail technicians are not allowed to diagnosis, prescribe, or treat any type of infection or other medical condition. Only a qualified medical professional can properly and safely deal with these issues.

Don’t be fooled: There is no such thing as a foot soak that will prevent cross-contamination from an active infection. Antibacterial/antifungal foot soak products cannot prevent the spread of infectious organisms in the salon setting. That’s why following proper salon sanitation practices are essential. — Doug Schoon is chief scientific advisor for CND.

Bookmark +

What’s the cause of the pinkish-red oval area on the pad of my client’s toes?

I have a client who has a recurring problem with her fourth toes during the winter months. Both of her “ring finger” toes develop a pinkish-red oval area on the pad. Then a month later, when I see her again, the skin has become dry and hard like a callus, with the layers of skin peeling away to reveal a deeper, dark epicenter.  It’s extremely painful for her and, needless to say, we do not touch it. But it clears up in the summer when she’s wearing open-toed sandals, so I suspect it has to be due to the boots she wears in the winter. Plus she never puts lotion on her feet or uses a foot file in between visits. What do you think causes this?

We respect your data and privacy.
By clicking the submit button below, you are agreeing with Bobit’s Privacy Policy and this outlined level of consent.

Bookmark +

What are the big white spots on my natural-nail client’s nails?

I have a client who has been with me for about two years. She used to wear acrylic nails but has been a natural nail client for eight months or so. She has these white spots on her nails — big spots that are dry, but not flaky, right in the middle of the nail. I did try to buff them lightly but they do not come off or grow off. I had a new client come in last week who had the same on her toenails. She said it started after she had a pedicure done at another salon. Can you help?

Load More
a Bobit media brand

Create your free Bobit Connect account to bookmark content.

The secure and easy all-access connection to your content.
Bookmarked content can then be accessed anytime on all of your logged in devices!

Create Account