Pedicure Mistakes Can Lead to Ingrown Toenails and Infection

For many people, a pedicure offers a chance to relax while caring for their feet, leaving toenails tidy and skin feeling smooth. But improper techniques can turn a beauty routine into a source of pain and infection.

Cutting toenails too short or rounding their corners can encourage the edges to grow into the surrounding skin. Trimming straight across and avoiding cuts deep into the sides can help reduce the risk of ingrown toenails.

Hygiene also matters. Tools and foot baths that are not properly cleaned can spread germs, while cuts or abrasions during treatment can give them a way into the skin.

Aggressive removal of cuticles or hard skin can damage the foot’s protective barrier. A pedicure should not involve painful cutting, and irritated or broken skin should be allowed to heal rather than subjected to further treatment.

Redness, swelling, increasing pain or discharge after a pedicure may signal a problem that needs medical attention. People with diabetes or poor circulation should be especially cautious about foot injuries and seek professional advice on safe nail care.