You’ve watched the nail technician spray and wipe the pedicure bowl on the jacuzzi style pedicure station. So, you think it is clean, sanitized and ready for your pedicure? NOT EVEN CLOSE! You are at risk for a nasty infection on your feet and legs. Click here for more details and how to avoid a costly or disfiguring infection.
Beware of the Jacuzzi Style
Pedicure Station
You watched the nail technician when he/she is done with a pedicure spray the pedicure bowl and wipe. Do you really know if the spray bottle contains an actual sanitation solution? Ask the nail technician if it is Alcohol, Quats or any EPA-registered hospital disinfectant. If they can’t answer, chances are it may not be filled with anything that is going to sanitize the bowl.
But let’s just say that the spray bottle is filled with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant solution. Spraying the basin or using a basin liner, IS NOT complete protection against bacteria getting on your feet and legs and an infection growing. Think about what else is in that basin and where the water goes. What about the drain, the water intake screen, the hoses and the jets? Basin liners give false hope, they line the basin but don’t stop the bacteria filled water from coating the pedicure basin and the drain, hoses, jets and water intake screen. Bacteria filled water is passing through these parts with every pedicure. The unsuspecting client can be carrying bacteria on their feet and legs without even knowing. That bacteria will grab onto the walls of the hoses, drain, screen and jets and grow into a nasty infection that will pass it onto your feet.
It takes 24 hours for bacteria to grow in order to be passed onto another client. At least once per 24 hours the salon should remove the drain and screens and scrub with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant. Then the jacuzzi pedicure basin has to be filled with hot water mixed with EPA-registered hospital disinfectant, and let the jets roll for approximately 10 minutes in order to kill all the bacteria from that day’s pedicures. Now the basin is safe from infection. Does your salon do that?
The safest pedicure
If your salon is using a non-attached pedicure basin with no jets or no drain, made of an antimicrobial material, you don’t have to worry about bacteria on your feet and legs. Copper, Stainless Steel, Brass and Bronze are all antimicrobial materials. You could throw a raw chicken in these basins and no bacteria is going to adhere to the metal. You know you are safe from infection.
Please ask questions before your next pedicure. If you don’t see these practices happing in your nail salon PLEASE inform the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR of Virginia) at:
(804) 367-8504
www.DPOR.virginia.gov click on the tab to the left: File a Complaint
or write to
Regulatory Programs and Compliance Section Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400 Richmond, Virginia 23233-1463