When botox and treatments go bad - at nail salon

In the nail salon

Problem spot: Foot spa

There is nothing more relaxing foot soak in a hot tub, bubbling water or is there? In 2000, 110 women who had pedicures in the same room northern California were infected with a nasty bacteria, Mycobacterium fortuitum, some of the dozens of women have been found in boiled and antibiotics for months. Later, scientists from the Department of Health in California from 30 swabs whirlpool foot spas are 18 nail salons across the state and found potentially dangerous bacteria in all but one.

Since then, California has required nail salons specific procedures for cleaning and disinfection of foot spas, but not all states have the same requirements and not all classrooms follow the rules. In fact, 27 classrooms in California were put on probation for violations foot spa in the first six months of 2008 alone, said Kevin Flanagan, spokesman for the California Office of barbering and cosmetology.

Another foot-spa concerns, fungal infections and warts. "They spread the skin moist," says Carolyn Jacob, MD, director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology.

Protect yourself

Wash your hands and feet with antibacterial soap before any procedure, ask your technician to wash their hands.

Ask to see the foot spa cleaning, said Flanagan. Halls with the highest standards of drainage of all water, waste scrub the walls and run a cycle of disinfectant for 10 minutes between each client-a procedure that is particularly important for older machines pipes that can hold water, a haven for bacteria. Many classrooms are going to pipeless foot spas, which have no place for water and bacteria to build, as it still should be disinfected between customers and the end of the day, and screens filter must be removed and cleaned regularly.

Do not shave your legs the day of your pedicure because even a small cut can provide an entry point for bacteria and other infections caused by tiny bugs. "See a doctor if you have a suspicious spot that does not go away or gets worse after a pedicure," says Oliver Zong, NYC a podiatrist. If your aesthetician has a cut on his hands, to change your appointment, ask a technician, or ask you to wear gloves, a practice that some salons use automatically.

Problem spot: Mani orders and instruments

You do not stick with an instrument at home without making damn sure it was clean, so do not let anyone work on the nails do not. The most dangerous tool in the classroom is the creed of the blade, razor-like device that uses a face to shave calluses. It's illegal in most states, but pedicurists violate the rules, as Stacy Nartker, 25, of Kalida, Ohio, discovered when receiving an inch long Gash's standing sheet Creed. "I did not need stitches, but around hampered by a few days later," she said.

Nartker been easy, as the inspector Jacobs. "People have had a manicure tendons cut because shaving, while one fell callus on the heel," he says.

Even the legal instruments such as cuticle cutters and scissors, have the potential to transmit staph infections, hepatitis B and C, and, yes, HIV even if they are contaminated with microscopic drops of blood from an infected person, says Sonia Badreshia - Bansal, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Danville, California. Much more common for serious errors are annoying, such as fungal infections that can be picked up from contaminated instruments, files, brushes, tools and cuticle. "The best way to deal with fungus is a topical antifungal cream, but some require a prescription-strength oral medication," he says.

Protect yourself

Ask how the salon disinfect its instruments. The device is a more foolproof autoclave, which sterilizes metal instruments overnight. At a minimum, tools must be disinfected between customers, but should be washed in soapy water, then soaked in disinfectant in a covered container. "The solution should read bactericidal, fungicidal, germicidal, virucidal or in it," said Flanagan. Cleaning tools should be stored separately from used. Items that can not be disinfected nail-buffer-blocks, nail brush, emery boards, should be discarded immediately after being used. To be supersafe, bring your own.

Just say no to knife cutting tip and cuticle cutters. "Use of a Credo blade is actually considered minor surgery is not something you want done in a nail salon," Dr. Sekula-Gibbs said. It is easy to cut the skin with cuticle cutters too. "Cuticles actually serve an important purpose, providing a protective barrier to the germs that may seep under the nails with water and cause an infection," he explains. If your cuticles are too long, have the aesthetician gently push back, or do it yourself at home with your own tools.

Manis and pedis Avoid if you are diabetic or if your immune system is compromised because of chemotherapy or a recent episode of a serious illness such as breast cancer. "You're much more susceptible to any kind of infection if your immune system is not working well," says Vincent Dele, MD, chief of dermatology at St. Luke's Hospital, Roosevelt Hospital and Beth Israel Medical Center.