The Skin Center 26081 Merit Circle Suite #109
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949- 582-7699
(949) 582-SKIN
Fax (949) 582-7691
DANGEROUS MANICURES and NAIL HEALTH
Manicuring nails has become an increasingly popular routine. As we are all busier and busier, it is often a very affordable luxury to stop off at the neighborhood nail salon and in 20 minutes come out a little merrier and feeling a little more spiffed. Although stereotypically utilized by women, we now see some younger pre-teens and occasional men having outside nail services.
So what can go wrong? Infections, Psuedomonas, cellulitus, fungal nail infections, ringworm, warts, nail loss, bacterial nail infections, and abscess just to name a few. Diabetics, people on cancer medications, and patients with poor or decreased lower leg circulation have a higher risk of poor would healing and increased infections.
If the person who sat in that nail salon’s fancy spa throne chair with the massage before you had athlete’s foot, you have a reasonable chance of picking that up.
While some salons are up to date with antiseptic procedures, the majority are not. Many salons fake antiseptic procedures by having a jar of blue antiseptic on their counter but never putting any instruments in the fluid or if they do not for any adequate amount of time. We recommend purchasing a quality set of nail files, cuticle pushback, nail clipper, and buffer.
General recommendations for salon nail services:
Do’s:
• Purchase a quality set of nail files, cuticle pushback, nail clipper, buffer from Target, Sephora, or Savon
• Take your own nail instruments and files to the salon
• Insist on a disposable liner in soaking tubs
• Keep fingernails short and clean
• Gently push back cuticles after a nice soak
• Gently file down heel calluses with emery board or pumice stone
• Walk away from a nail salon if it doesn’t look right
• Apply a good moisturizer like Aquaphor, Vaselline, or Crisco Vegetable Shortening to cuticles
• Clean any cuts or abrasions with hydrogen peroxide and apply polysporin
• See your physician or dermatologist for discolored or thickened nails
Don’ts:
• Clean aggressively under nails with sharp instruments
• Use the salon’s nail file and buff pad
• Soak in unhygienic salon tubs or basins
• Allow sharp instruments or cutting of heels or calluses
• Cut cuticles aggressively
• Overly wash hands with antibacterial soaps and detergents
• Use harsh skin cleansing products or soaps
• Use acrylic nail tips which can damage your own natural nails
Cutemol
A ultra-rick long lasting moisturizer for dry, cracked hands and feet, frequently washed hands, dry brittle nails and cuticles, and dry skin associated with psoriasis.
DermaNail
Helps prevent brittleness for longer nail growth and helps control chipping and breaking.
Call to Schedule an appointment at (949) 582-SKIN
Dr. Gary Cole and Dr. Nili Alai are Board-Certified Dermatologists.
For more information, please call (949) 582-7699 or visit the practice website at www.lagunaskincenter.com.
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