Something fishy about this Pedicure?

Doctor Fish Massage franchises are the goal of John Ho of Alexandria, Virginia. He, together with his wife Yvonne own and operate Yvonne Hair and Nails salon. For the past four months they have been offering fish pedicures. No, I'm not talking pedicures for fish, I'm talking about a footbath filled with tiny fish that remove the dead skin from your feet!
You still get a standard pedicure after the fish are done and the skin is softened.

The hot water in which these toothless fish thrive doesn't support plant or aquatic life, so they adapted to feed on whatever food sources were available—like dead, flaking skin.

State regulations no longer allow the salon to treat the cusomers in a communal pool, where at times the fish would flock to the feet of an individual with a surplus of dead skin, leaving other customers nearly alone.

The Ped Egg

Saw an ad on TV today for something called the Ped Egg. I'm wondering if anyone has tried this and what you thought. It supposedly files dead skin off the rough, calloused areas of your feet. The lid on the unit even pops off so you can discard the "filings". I'm not sure what they mean when they show the translucent "Professional Model Shown" lettering on the screen twice during the ad.

Sister Sandal Pledge. I love this.

Just a friendly reminder; it's that time of the year again. Please raise your big toes and repeat after me.

"As a member of the Faux Pas Sisterhood, I pledge to follow The Rules when I wear sandals and other open-toe shoes:

I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs, and the sides and tops of my feet will not purge out between the straps.

I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.

I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.

I will shave the hairs off my big toe.

I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker,mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place, hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.

I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr.Scholl's if my feet need him.

I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $2.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat, and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.

I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages.

I will promise if I wear flip flops, that I will ensure they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.

I will promise to go my local beauty school at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $15 and worth EVERY penny). I say spend another $15.00 and get an even better one.

I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear...nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals."

The Particulars of a Pampering Pedicure

It's sandal season! Time to get those feet ready for the warmer weather ahead. If you plan on making a trip to a salon for a pedicure, here are some things you should know.
An infection caused by Mycobacterium smegmatis, a rapidly replicating bacterium that responds poorly to medication, is a possibility when you go to get a pedicure. It starts out as a red, swollen toe or looking almost like a bug bite and then gets swollen and turns blue or purple. You're looking at a long course of antibiotics and possibly even surgery to correct the scarring that can occur. One of the most serious mycobacterium infections called fortitum may cause boils on the legs.
While severe infections from a manicure or pedicure are rare, you wouldn't even want to risk getting a minor infection from having a pedicure done. Athlete's foot, toenail fungus and even warts are other potential pedicure dangers, not to mention allergic reactions, loss of a nail, and the spread of staph infections or viruses and, in extreme cases, HIV and hepatitis. A fungus can take hold of your toenail, multiply and cause the nail to grow up to 1/2 inch thick. It's very ugly, it can cause a lot of foot problems. If you're a diabetic, it may lead to infections and even toe amputations.
Some nail technicians recommend finding a salon that does not use whirlpool tubs or any other foot bath that involves plumbing, because the bacteria can sit in the pipes and there's no good way to clean them efficiently and effectively. Chairs specially designed for pedicures have foot baths attached with individual filtering systems. The filters can become clogged with hair, skin and toenails, making an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. The swirling waters then spread the bacteria.
Here are helpful tips for finding a reputable salon to perform a pedicure on you.
Make sure the establishment has a license. It should be prominently displayed in the front reception area. Your cosmetologist should also have a license posted at his or her station.
Leave if the salon appears even the slightest bit dirty. Take a peek at the towels and the instruments and look to see if workers are washing their hands between treatments. Sniff the air, and if you sense a strong odor, that's a bad sign.
Ask questions. How does the salon disinfect its instruments? The cosmetic industry is not required to use sophisticated and expensive machines to ensure a medical level of sterilization. Are disposable items that cannot be sanitized (like emery boards, nail buffers, toe separators, orange sticks, etc.) thrown away immediately after their use?
Cutiekit, Your Professional Manicure Pedicare Tool Kit
Bring your own manicure and pedicure equipment, towels (and disposable foot tub liner, if possible) with you to ensure the supplies will not be used on anyone else. Many people have a set of their own dental tools when they go to the dentist, so having your very own pedicure kit only makes sense. You can find two pedicure kits that I recommend at my website.

Ensure that the person performing the pedicure knows your cuticles are not to be clipped or cut. They are important in that they keep bacteria from getting under the nail bed, and if there's a chance you could be cut and bleed, it could lead to serious infections. In addition, razors, scrapers or graters for calluses must never be used.
Try to relax and enjoy. Just remember to keep on your toes and tread carefully when going for a pedicure.

Katrina Price, also known as the Skin Care Teacher is a ten-year veteran of the skin care and beauty industry. Valuable information can be found at her website http://www.skincareteacher.com and her blog, updated almost daily at http://skincareteacher.blogspot.com