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Debbie Dujanovic Reporting An Eyewitness News Investigation is raising awareness over the health risks of pedicures, and consumers are asking, "what can we do to be safe?" Our investigation uncovered an alarming amount of contamination inside pedicure tubs.
We did not set out in this investigation to tell you exactly which salons are safe and which aren't. That isn't possible, given there are more than 900 salons in the Salt Lake Area.
We tested five chosen at random, and four came back with serious contamination -- a ratio that health officials say should convince consumers to be careful wherever they go for a pedicure. Now, we show you how.
We asked veteran nail technician Leesa Myers to show us what your pedicure salon should be doing before you stick your feet in the water. Here's what she teaches new nail techs.
Leesa Myers: "You want to scrub like you're scrubbing your bathtub. You want to make sure that you're scrubbing everything, rinsing it out and disinfect it."
She uses bleach to disinfect between appointments, and says before you get your pedicure:
Leesa Myers: "Look at the tub itself when you're sitting down, and if the tub looks like it has standing water in there, question it."
In light of our investigation, the Salt Lake Valley Health Department issued safety guidelines to help minimize your risk. They reiterate you should ask how often pedicure tubs are cleaned.
Diane Keay, Salt Lake Valley Health Dept.: "We are certainly wanting these foot baths to be cleaned and sanitized between each use, then an extra heavy cleaning on at night or on weekends. We're finding that may or may not be happening."
Technicians should wash their hands with soap before working on your hands or feet. Tools should be washed in soapy water, rinsed, then disinfected. Disposable nail files should be used only once and thrown out. And if it hurts, the technician is doing something wrong.
Diane Keay: "Doing nails and pedicures should not cause trauma to your fingers and toes. There should not be any pain."
Remember, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions.
Diane Keay: "I think the facilities that are doing it right are very proud of what they're doing and are more than happy to answer those questions."
Leesa Myers: "Use your gut feeling. If you don't feel it's safe, your health is more important than what the service is."
The health department warns that shaving your legs before a pedicure can also increase your risk.
Also, our investigation may have alerted salon owners to a problem they didn't know they had. Several salons called the health department and KSL to find out how they can test their own water.
