There’s nothing like a fresh pedicure to help your feet feel pampered and ready for sandals, especially in sunny Orlando, where open-toe weather is year-round. But have you ever wondered, “Can a pedicure cause or make toenail fungus worse?”

The reality is that improper salon practices or bad at-home pedicure habits can contribute to fungal nail infections or make an existing infection worse. Here’s what you need to know to keep your nails healthy while still enjoying the self-care you deserve in Florida’s warm climate.

How Pedicures Can Lead to Nail Fungus

Nail fungus thrives in warm, moist environments, making salons and foot baths potential hotspots if they aren’t properly cleaned. Here are common ways nail fungus can spread:

  • Unsanitized Foot Baths
    If foot baths aren’t cleaned thoroughly between clients, fungal spores can live in the water and transfer to your feet.

  • Shared Tools
    Nail clippers, nail files, and buffers can spread fungus from one person to another if they aren’t properly sterilized between uses.

  • Aggressive Cuticle Cutting
    Cuticles protect the nail bed. Cutting or pushing them back too harshly can create tiny openings for fungus to enter.

  • Polish Bottles Used on Multiple Clients
    The brush from a shared polish bottle can pick up fungal spores from one person and transfer them to the next.

  • At-Home Pedicure Risks
    Even at home, using dirty tools, soaking feet in reused water, or cutting cuticles too closely can increase your risk.

Once fungus enters the nail, it can be stubborn. A fungus infection leads to brittle, discolored nails that are difficult to treat without professional help.

An individual sitting by the waterfront, inspecting their foot.

How to Enjoy Pedicures Safely

You don’t have to give up pedicures forever to protect your nail health. Here’s how to reduce your risk:

  • Choose a Clean, Licensed Salon
    Look for salons that use hospital-grade sterilization and disposable liners in foot baths.

  • Avoid Shaving Before Pedicures
    Shaving can create tiny cuts on your legs, making it easier for fungus to enter.

  • Say No to Aggressive Cuticle Cutting
    Ask your technician to gently push back cuticles rather than cutting them.

  • Use Flip-Flops in the Salon
    Avoid letting your bare feet touch communal surfaces.

  • Consider Skipping Polish During Treatment
    If you’re dealing with a fungal infection or undergoing treatment, keeping nails bare helps you monitor progress and keeps the area clean.

Pedicure

Pedicures During Laser Nail Therapy

If you’re undergoing laser nail therapy, it’s best to keep nails clean and free of polish during treatment. This ensures the laser light can effectively reach the fungus under the nail. At our clinics, we use the PinPointe™ FootLaser® because it is a safe, effective, and medication-free option that targets the fungus right where it lives: underneath the nail plate. The laser can do all of this without harming the surrounding skin or tissue. Many patients find that laser treatment is the most convenient and reliable alternative treatment compared to oral medications. Especially if you want to avoid harmful side effects or interactions with other medications.

We also recommend:

  • Continuing good foot hygiene, including drying your feet thoroughly and using antifungal sprays or powders in your shoes.

  • Wearing moisture-wicking socks and breathable shoes to prevent reinfection.

A Podiatrist Uses A Specialized Tool To Treat A Foot Ailment after a pedicure

We Offer Free Consultations to Help You Protect Your Nail Health

If you’re unsure whether your nail changes are due to fungus or if you want to explore safe and effective treatment options, we’re here to help. At our clinics in the Orlando metropolitan area, we offer free consultations with our foot doctors, who can:

  • Examine your nails to confirm whether you have a fungal infection.

  • Discuss your pedicure habits and how to adjust them for healthier nails.

  • Explain the benefits of laser nail therapy and provide treatment with the PinPointe™ FootLaser® for clear, healthy nails.

Don’t let nail fungus keep you from enjoying sandal season with confidence.

Contact us today at 800-672-0625 to schedule your free consultation and learn how to safely manage nail care while treating or preventing toenail fungus.