Are you afraid of spa pedicures?

[MerdeCat]

I used to love getting pedicures at spas until a foot doc told me that they are great places to pick up a toenail fungus.

Do you worry about this? I didn't like that doctor anyway.

[laura]

I don't worry about it at upstanding, reptuable nail salons. I would think twice about going to some of those sketchier establishments though...

[Aunt Bea]

I dont go to those places cuz I am afraid of catching an STD. I wont go to those places where you get your nails done either. Dont want to catch STDs

[MerdeCat]

Originally Posted by laura

I don't worry about it at upstanding, reptuable nail salons. I would think twice about going to some of those sketchier establishments though...

I always went to the nice ones. I'm also afraid of the cheap places.

[QueenBee]

AuntBea... you Goof!! You won't catch an STD at a nail salon, just a nice case of nail fungus that can linger longer than an STD and is sometime more difficult to cure hun.

[Aunt Bea]

you mean get a nail fungus on my female parts??? OH NO!!!!

thats terrible! see! thats why I wont go!

[MerdeCat]

Originally Posted by Aunt Bea

you mean get a nail fungus on my female parts??? OH NO!!!!

thats terrible! see! thats why I wont go!

Are you kidding? Just in case, we are taking about toes, not female parts.

[Aunt Bea]

i am not kidding. I am just so afraid of catching STD's. I am actually paranoid of it.

[MerdeCat]

Well, safe sex and not sharing needles should keep you safe.

Most people don't worry about STDs from salons. Maybe it is remotely possible if instruments are not cleaned, but blood is seldom involved in a spa experience, unless you are cut accidentally.

[chai]

I think Aunt Bea is worrying about transferring the blood from one customer to another through the cleaning nail tools...

but I think it's impossible to happen...yes.. infections may occur if the cleaning tools aren't sterilized... maybe that's why your doctor said that because salons used only one foot cleaning materials to all their customers... but I think they maintained it clean and safe..

I also love pedicures...

[anne022196]

this should be done twice a month,
over cleaning can damage your cuticle...
same thing when you are using nail polish..

[chai]

yes your right anne... and it may cause your nails become thinner..

[ricci]

Originally Posted by MerdeCat

Are you kidding? Just in case, we are taking about toes, not female parts.

you are the BEST Merde. Aunt bea, even if we were talking about female parts and you hypothetically did pick up a fungus at a salon.... you could just use a darker polish... symptoms would surely only show on your extremities (unless you are into some wierd wierd stuff that you arent telling us)

[MerdeCat]

Why, thank you Ricci.

[PixieGirl]

Even at nicer establishments you have to be careful. I had been going to a very nice nail salon with my mom for 3 or 4 months and then I developed these little bumps all over my lower legs. The dermatologist couldn't figure out what it was and sent biopsies of it to several different labs and finally one said it was so kind of fungus you usually can only get from nail salon foot baths. I won't stop going to nail salons to get manis and pedis but I definitely make sure they are cleaning their foot baths properly. That was 2 years ago that i got the bumps..I had to take an antibiotic for 6 mths and I still have the scars from teh bumps although they are finally almost faded. The jets can hold bacteria if the nail salons do not clean properly which is why a lot of places do foot baths in a regular tub type thing w/ no jets now. Just be careful.

[MerdeCat]

Ah, but the jets are fun.

I guess stones and flowers might make up for it.

[PrincessOfFabulousity]

I looove my manis and pedis....wouldn't ever give them up. I only go to super duper nice day spas, though. I've seen the girls wash the equipment before and man! do they scrub, scrub, scrub! Very clean..... so I don't worry.

[PixieGirl]

Oh no MerdeCat, I wasn't saying don't use the ones with jets. I still have these little spots on my legs but regardles of that little reminder, I am still definitely going to use the ones with the jets. I hate the spa tubs for pedicures without jets. it makes the pedi sub-par.
PrincessofFabulousity, its great that they scrub the equipment really well but the problem is the jets. Its much harder to clean the water and bacteria that stay inside those jets until it is used again. Just the simple act of flushing water through them won't rid them of bacteria.

[Bad Kitty]

The ultra violet lights are the newest defense against killing bacteria and fungus. The salons in my circle have the handhelds and the little hot boxes for tools. I guess it cuts the tansfer way down. Every little bit helps!