If you’re like me then you are probably pretty uncomfortable about your feet. Especially your toes. But don’t worry because they probably aren’t as bad as you think. In fact, odds are they are no worse than the general population (35 million people have toenail fungus and you think none of them have ever received a pedicure?).

Don’t believe me? Would you believe 3 highly experienced nail techs (with a combined experience of 90+ years) from a 4-star hotel located near the coast of California?

I worked with these nail techs at the spa of this hotel for more than 3 years and was able to gain their insights on this subject. See, I was curious if it was a good idea as a sufferer of toenail fungus to get a pedicure and their responses may shock you.

If you have concerns about whether or not you should get a pedicure due to your feet being gross or looking for tips on how to approach your nail technician then read on.

Should Nail Fungus Stop You From Getting a Pedicure?

Honestly, most people don’t let a fungal infection stop them. In fact, most do not even know that they have nail fungus. This is why some people report getting nail fungus after a pedicure which is most likely caused by improper sterilization.

The three nail techs that I talked to from the spa stated that if a client has toenail fungus or athlete’s foot that its “easily identifiable” and that if they notice this they will take extra precaution to ensure a thorough sanitization of their tools and equipment.

So, what did they say when I asked if a person with a toenail fungal infection should get a pedicure? 

They replied, “Do it, it wouldn’t be the first case we’ve seen”. In fact, they went on to say that they have seen feet and toenails of all shapes and sizes with different types of problems including fungus, calluses, blistering, and rashes. They also mentioned that they “can’t diagnose a health condition” but have podiatrists that they refer clients to.

Conclusively, they also recommended mentioning that you have nail fungus when booking the appointment so they can better accommodate you. Also, so they can follow specific company protocol for sterilization of equipment. In rare instances, a nail salon might ask you to bring your own disposable tools.

Are They Going to Say Something About My Feet?

If they are professionals, they will not say anything negative. After speaking with the nail techs at my work, they said the most they might do is ask their clients about their nails. For example, if a client has a nail that looks like it has fungus, the nail tech might ask the client if they have noticed any changes in their nails.

One of the three nail techs named Kimberly spoke up and said “We’re here for the customer. Were not trying to make them feel uncomfortable”.  She continued, “If anything, I want to educate my clients on how to fix their problems with their nails and provide them with the means to do so”.

As aforementioned, your nail tech may recommend a podiatrist to you if they feel like you need this type of thing. In fact, you could even ask your nail tech if they have any recommendations for you.

Does a Pedicure Help Ingrown Toenails?

You can still get a pedicure with an ingrown toenail but there are limited things your nail tech can do for you. Accordingly to Kimberly, the lead nail tech, stated, “The State Board limits and prohibits us in treating these types of conditions…”.

If you are looking for relieve of an ingrown toenail, do not be persistent with your nail tech because their hands are tied when it comes to this. Instead, go to a podiatrist so they can effectively fix your ingrown nail.

Who’s Feet Are the WORST?

The three concluded unanimously that the clients with the worse type of feet tend to be athletes and specifically runners. If you’ve ever seen the feet of ultra-marathon runners they aren’t pretty… But being self-conscious about your feet shouldn’t stop you from pampering yourself with things such as a pedicure.