A pedicure infection can become a very serious thing and any unusual symptom noticed immediately after a pedicure should not be taken lightly. In recent years many people have had amputations and even died as a result of infections contracted while receiving pedicures. Yes, it’s that serious!

Although pedicures can be very beneficial to your feet, contracting an infection while getting one can be very detrimental to your health. If the pedicure tools used are not properly disinfected, most notably vessels used to soak the feet, bacteria can be allowed to build to dangerously high levels.

The bad part is that any break in the skin can help harmful bacteria get into your bloodstream. It could be a scrape from scratching a bump too hard, a nick from shaving or even an insect bite. All of these can lead to a pedicure infection by allowing germs to enter your body.

It is very possible also, to contract bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. The usual kind of bacterium associated with pedicures that is resistant to antibiotics is MSRA or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This strain of staph bacterium is resistant to all of the penicillins and as a result is extremely difficult to treat.

If this strain is contracted, the infected area may have to be amputated in order to save the rest of the body from an untreatable infection. If left to progress and spread too long, it will most likely lead to death.

Symptoms of pedicure infection include, small red bumps (resembling spider bites), (deep) pus filled boils, rashes and usually fever. If you notice any of these symptoms after getting a pedicure, please see your doctor immediately!

It is so important that when receiving a pedicure that all equipment and implements used are properly disinfected, especially foot soak vessels that circulate water. Units that circulate water usually have crevices for bacteria to hide and build up.

If someone else is performing the pedicure don’t be afraid to ask them what they used to disinfect the equipment. Also don’t be afraid to ask them to disinfect everything in the front of you and show you the cleaning agents they are using to disinfect. If you’re not sure if a pedicure tub or other pedicure tools have been properly cleaned and disinfected – don’t use them or let them be used on you!

The best way to disinfect pedicure equipment, is by using an EPA registered fungicide bactericide and viricide. Look for this designation on the label of cleaning agents used to disinfect equipment used on you. Also, if you have any nicks or scrapes on your legs or feet, its best to wait at least 24 hours before getting a pedicure that involves soaking the feet. And remember to always use the proper methods of how to do a pedicure .

Following this advice could literally save life and limb!



By: Christophe Roberts

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It is a beauty treatment for the toenails and feet and it usually involves soaking the feet, applying lotion, filing and shaping the nails and applying nail polish. There are also special types, like French pedicures. This helps in keeping the feet in good condition making the skin soft and smooth. Pedicure also helps in improving blood circulation, nourishes the skin and the leg and foot muscles and discourages foot ailments. It usually involves soaking the feet, applying lotion, filing and shaping the nails and applying nail polish. All that is needed are a few simple tools and knowledge of the procedure that professional pedicurists follow. A Pedicure cart contains all the supplies that are required to give you a special foot care treatment.

It is always best to select professional equipments and treatments as this will help prevent bacterial infections that can develop when using poorly sanitized tools. It is possible to create your own professional manicure sets including those pedicure machines for those who want all the manicure and pedicure sets and tools. These treatments can be mastered with adequate practice and there are many items available in the markets that can make our work easier like white nail polish pens. There are many different types of Pedicure carts and some even have special massage chairs installed on them.

A large folded towel is placed on the floor in front of which the footbath filled with water and a few drops of liquid soap, nail scrub, oils or salts is mostly used. Even pedicure socks are available which can be worn without covering the toenails. The basic requirements of this treatment will include a tub of warm water, nail polish remover, orangewood stick, a hand towel, nail clippers or scissors, clear nail polish, cotton pads, finger brush, nail file or emery board, massage lotion, pumice stone. The nails are to be dried before wearing shoes.

Pedicure socks are also available which can be worn without covering the toe nails. These beauty treatments help in keeping the condition of the feet good, making the skin smooth and soft. It improves blood circulation it enriches the skin of the legs and foot muscles and discourages numerous ailments and are an easy way of preventing painful problems like ingrown toenails, calluses, foot cracks and even infections. These pedicure machines involve pedicure chairs, carts and stools that can be customized according to the various spas.

A pedicure cart is similar to a pedicure station with wheels has 2 way adjustable footrests, with a deep drawer and side compartments for bottles. They are endowed with thick cushions for comfortable seating which is mostly available in black but almost all professional colors are available for order. They have a good storage space in which the bottles and equipment can be stored generously and they are available in a decorated laminated construction that can be customized to suit the spa.

Models that possess full size removable trays with pockets in the front face and at the back, along with a comfortable footrest supported by tubular steel stands, with alot of leg space thereby preventing straddling are mostly in demand. The pedicurist seat cushions are made pretty efficient according to the needs of the pedicurists. A few carts even have luxurious seats made of padded vinyl!



By: Muna wa Wanjiru

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A pedicure is a novel procedure to enhance the appearance of the feet, and the look of the nails. Pedicure is a procedure that is similar to manicure. The origin of the word pedicure is the Latin words cura and pes, which mean foot and care respectively.

In order to get a goof pedicure, one can either go to a beauty salon or parlor, or one can get it done with the help of a friend, at home itself.

There are a number of pedicure tools that one will need before they can get started with the actual procedure of a pedicure.

Some of the basic pedicure tools that one would require for the most meager of pedicures are:

Nail cutters or nail clippers-These are required to clip and shape the edges of the nails and are an important part of pedicure tools. Make sure the nail cutter shape is specific for the type of mails you want to cut-fingers, or feet.

Nail filer- The nail filer is used to file the nails and to provide the finishing effect to the nails, by shaping the nails after the clipping is done.

Cuticle cutter- The cuticle cutter is used to cut the cuticles. Always take caution while cutting the cuticles; you could hurt yourself if not.

Cuticle pusher-This is used to push the cuticles back.

Nailbrush- this is used to apply the coats of nail polish and also to coal the surface of the nails with various paints and decorative substances and is also one of the important pedicure tools.

Orange stick – The orange stick is nothing but a small and slightly flat stick, which is round at the end and has a flat tip as well. The orange stick is used for cleansing the nails and also for pushing back cuticles in the absence of a cuticle pusher. It appears like a small tongue depressor, around 4 inches in length and 0.5 inches wide approximately. As the name itself suggest, they are mostly orange in color and are one of the necessary items among the pedicure tools.

An orange stick can also be used for cleaning the under of ones nails, or to buff out and clean the toe of finger nails, or to push down carefully, the cuticle that is growing above the toenail. You can do all these actions without an orange stick as well, but the orange sticks that are currently available are cheap, fit easily in purses, and are just basically useful in the sense of the number of things you can do with one.

Originally, these were made of orange wood, and hence derived their name from their source. Now, they are available in a variety of different materials.

Pumice stones: Another tool that is very important for any home pedicure is the pumice stone.The pumice stone is used as an abrasive, specifically in polishing, in cosmetic exfoliants, and also for stone-washed jean material. “Pumice stones” are also frequently used in parlors and salons for the actual pedicure procedure to withdraw dry as well as excessive skin from the under or bottom area of the foot and for calluses as well.

Moisturizer: The moisturizer is used to sanitize and moisturize the skin of the foot and fingers both before and after the procedure is complete.



By: Muna wa Wanjiru

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