vVanity

Perfect Ten

by: Jan Lee | Jun. 27, 2007

 

Mani/pedi season is in full swing! But in order to get fly fingers and toes you shouldn’t put your health at risk.

Before your next trip to the nail salon, follow these tips to make sure your pampering experience is safe and clean.

Skip a day Don’t shave your legs for at least 24 hours prior to your nail appointment because microscopic cuts or tears in the skin will put you at risk of infection from bacteria, fungi and viruses transmitted by unclean tools if the instruments or foot basins aren’t clean.

Read the fine print Celebrity manicurist Bernadette Thompson says, “You can’t just assume that the people doing your nails know what they are doing, because they all don’t.” Make sure that the salon has a state license from the Board of Cosmetology and that your nail technician is licensed by the state Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology. Look for the licenses posted on the wall or at individual stations.

Come prepared Thompson also suggests making sure your salon sterilizes their instruments, but bringing your own nail tool kit to the salon eliminates the worry. Be sure to clean tools between each salon visit. A couple of kit essentials are toe and fingernail clippers, an orange stick, files and a cute carrying pouch. If you need help gathering the right things, just ask your manicurist what you should bring. Enter to win your own nail kit from Creative Nail Design.

strong>Don’t Make the Cut Opt for the pumice stone, foot file or exfoliating scrub to remove calluses instead of the credo blade (or foot razor), which is illegal in some states. This reduces the risk of cutting off too much skin and permanent damage as a result.