4 nail salon red flags that can lead to infection — and why you should skip the gel pedicure

New York Post

15-05-2025

UV got to be kidding!
If you're a regular at nail salons, you may be dismayed to learn that your pedicure may be more of a pedi-curse.
'Getting pedicures, especially at a nail salon, can increase potential risks of bacterial, fungal and viral infections — nail salons are hot spots for toenail fungus,' podiatrist Dr. Saylee Tulpule told The Post.
3 Nail salons are hot spots in the summer — and potential hot beds for infection.
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Forget about getting the hot stone massage — because this news is a stone-cold bummer.
According to Tulpule, you should be especially cautious if you get the sense that your technician is…not altogether competent.
'Improper technique by a nail technician can also lead to ingrown toenail infections or skin breakdown, especially if using cuticle nippers or graters to file thick, callused skin,' she explained.
Other red flags to watch for
Technician reuses tools or the tools look dirty — they should come from sterilized packaging
Foot baths are not cleaned properly or a new sterile bag isn't placed for a new client
Use of improper tools, like graters and razor blades, which can lead to cuts
Nail polish appears too old
And we've got some more bad news — gel pedicures may last longer, but they come with their own set of hazards.
3 Clean tools are essential. Use caution if the salon or the instruments look dirty.
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Tulpule says the UV light may increase your risk of skin cancer, while 'thinning or weakening the nail plate prior to applying the durable gel color' can damage the nail.
'Gel polish creates a firm seal, and if moisture or trauma happens to the nail plate, it can increase one's risk of toenail fungus or bacterial infection — I see this quite commonly in my practice,' she said.
If you decide to go the salon route, it's best to BYONP, or polish at your own peril.
'Bringing your own nail polish can reduce chances of fungal nail transmission — fungal hyphae can live in between the bristles of the brush,' she said.
'There are 'cleaner' brands that exclude harsh chemicals, like toluene, DBP or formaldehyde,' she added. 'Clean ingredients can improve nail health.'
3 Podiatrist Dr. Saylee Tulpule explains the health hazards to look for at the nail salon — plus, why you should bring your own polish and skip the gel pedi.
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And while getting your callouses shaved like a chunk of perfectly-ripened Parmesan can be enormously satisfying — Tulpule recommends skipping for safety reasons.
'Improper technique or tools, such as using a grater or razor, can cause skin breakdown and increase one's chances of an infection,' she said.
'If the calluses are shaved down aggressively, over and over again, they may re-grow thicker and harder with time.'
Whether you keep your regular mani/pedi appointment or opt to just DIY at home, it's important to give nails a rest from time to time.
'I always tell my patients to let them breathe during the fall/winter months, when one is more likely to wear close-toed shoes,' she said.
'Generally speaking, remove polish every four to six weeks and give nails a break for one to two weeks.'
Salon horror stories — be it botched acrylics or viral TikToks of green, oozing toenails — are all too common.
One woman was left horrified after she appeared to grow mold under her acrylics.
Another woman lost her toenail entirely after a routine pedicure.
Moral of the story? When it comes to your feet, it pays to tread carefully.