You Can Be At Risk

• According to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, bacterial infections and nail fungus are sometimes the outcome of receiving a professional manicure or pedicure. When you have a manicure or pedicure, the skin around the nails (the cuticles) is cut and this leaves an opening through which fungus can infect the nail.
  
  

MMA Dangers

• When methyl methacrylate (MMA), which is an acrylic nail sealant, is used, this makes the nails unbreakable and causes the nail bed that is under the acrylic nail to disintegrate.
  
  

Acrylic Nails

• If water gets underneath the acrylic nails, this can cause a fungus and mold to develop. Water gets through cracks in the acrylic nail and causes the nail bed to burn.
  
  

Pedicure

• When getting a pedicure you place your feet into foot baths, which can be a breeding ground for various fungi and viruses. You are especially at risk if you have a cut on your foot.
  
  

What To Do

• Before getting a manicure or pedicure ask if new and clean instruments are used for each customer and how the equipment is sterilized. Some salons are demanding that customers buy their own packet of instruments which they bring with them to the salon.