Nail Salons and Nail Fungus - A Dangerous Mix?

If you love to have your nails done, but you are prone to nail fungus, you'll want to continue reading.  Unfortunately, nail salons are a leading provider of fingernail fungus and toenail fungus.  These locations are ripe with bacteria, as they have tools being used on many customers each day.  Similarly, they have many customers coming through, some of whom might be carrying the infection already.  So, do you give up on your beauty regime and quit going to the salon?  Perhaps.  But, in addition to this idea, here are other recommendations to make your time at the salon safer and to prevent nail fungus from occurring.

Help At the Salon

In some ways, going to a nail salon can help to prevent nail fungus.  One of the best ways to prevent fungus is to keep your nails well groomed and cut evenly.  Your nails should not be cut too short, and they should not go into the nail bed.  At a salon, you'll undoubtedly get your nails cut more evenly than you are able to do at home.  They take great pains to ensure that they don't cut the nails too short, and that they don't cut into the skin at all.  These are very important preventative measures, and ones that can help to keep your nails clean and safe.

Check Out Sterilization Procedures

Make sure that you only visit reputable nail salons and that you see their updated certificates.  When employees go through training, they learn about sanitation and these certificates should help you to verify if you're at an appropriate salon.  In addition, when you go to the salon, arrive early and watch their sanitation process.  Do they sanitize each instrument in between clients?  They should be sterilizing all tools and using new razors and other items for each client.  Don't be shy about asking questions and leave the salon if you are not satisfied with what you see.

Avoid Nail Polish and Artificial Nails

Ironically, the main cause of fungus in finger nails is from wearing fake nails.  Fake nails are glued on to the actual nails and they create a space for moisture to get in and for fungus to begin to grow.  Whenever possible, avoid having fake nails put on, and certainly avoid them if you already have issues with fungus.  Similarly, although it might be tempting to cover up nail fungus problems with nail polish, don't do so!  Nail polish can trap unwanted moisture between your nail and the polish and can make your infection even worse.

Change Your Patterns

If you've already had recurring nail fungus problems, or you have them now, it is probably best to avoid nail salons for awhile.  You might consider switching salons if you think the salon is the problem.  Similarly, you can continue to go to the salon, but don't have polish put on your nails.  Just have them file your nails, give you treatment with lotions and clean your nails.  You can also try to bring your own tools to the salon and to insist that the manicurist uses these tools.  These are all ways to keep yourself safe and to prevent future problems.

You certainly want to be able to enjoy a manicure or pedicure as you desire; you also want to have healthy nails to look at and enjoy.  Use these tips to select a nail salon that is right for your needs, and to think about the procedures that you want to have done at that salon.