Do nail salons treat toenail fungus? This is a question many people ask, especially if they first notice a nail infection after a pedicure. Nail salons are some of the most common places where toenail fungus can spread. With so many people walking around barefoot, especially in shared spaces like pedicure chairs and foot baths, salons can quickly become a breeding ground for fungal spores. Even though reputable salons do their best to keep things clean, fungi are tough to kill and can linger on tools, nail files, and even polish brushes if they’re not sanitized correctly.
If you think you may have caught a fungal infection at a salon, you may wonder if the salon itself can help you treat it. The short answer is: no. While salons can make nails look pretty, they are not equipped to treat medical conditions like toenail fungus. Let’s dive deeper into why that is, what risks are involved, and what your best treatment options are.
Nail Salons and Toenail Fungus
Nail salons serve an important purpose: they provide cosmetic services. Nail technicians are highly skilled at shaping, polishing, and caring for healthy nails. However, they are not licensed medical providers. They can cover up discoloration with polish or trim thickened nails to make them look better temporarily, but they cannot actually treat the infection.
In fact, trying to treat toenail fungus at a salon can actually make things worse. Here’s why:
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Risk to Others: Fungal infections are contagious. If a salon client has an active infection, they can spread it to tools, tubs, or surfaces, which can then spread it to the next customer.
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Limited Knowledge: Nail techs are not trained to diagnose medical conditions. What looks like fungus could also be another nail disorder, and mistreating it could delay proper care.
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Covering, Not Curing: Painting over an infected nail or applying acrylics may hide the problem for a short time, but it traps moisture and creates an even better environment for fungus to thrive.
For these reasons, any salon that claims to “treat” fungus is going beyond its expertise. At best, they can file down thick nails or camouflage discoloration, but the fungus will still be alive underneath.
Why Fungus Spreads Easily in Salons
Toenail fungus is notoriously stubborn and thrives in warm, moist environments. Unfortunately, salons often create perfect conditions for it:
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Foot baths and pedicure tubs can trap fungal spores in their filters if they are not disinfected between every client.
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Shared nail tools like clippers, buffers, and cuticle pushers can carry spores from one person’s nails to another’s if not sterilized properly.
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Nail polish bottles can become contaminated when applied directly to infected nails and then reused on healthy ones.
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Bare feet walking around on common surfaces, from the bathroom to the waiting area, can also spread fungus.
Even though many salons follow health regulations and sanitize equipment, no process is foolproof. That’s why podiatrists often warn against visiting nail salons if you already have, or are prone to, fungal infections.
Symptoms of Toenail Fungus
Since salons can’t diagnose fungus, it’s important to know what to look for so you can get the right treatment from a medical professional. Common signs of toenail fungus include:
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Yellow, brown, or white discoloration of the nail
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Thickened, brittle, or crumbling nails
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Nails that lift away from the nail bed
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A foul odor is coming from the nail
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Pain or discomfort when wearing shoes
If you notice these symptoms, it’s time to see a podiatrist instead of booking another pedicure.
Getting Rid of Hard and Thick Nails
One of the most frustrating effects of toenail fungus is how it makes nails hard, thick, and difficult to trim. While nail technicians can file them down, this is only cosmetic. Without proper medical treatment, the fungus will continue to grow and thicken the nail again.
Doctors can use specialized equipment to thin out nails safely, which makes them easier to manage at home while you undergo treatment. More importantly, they target the infection at its root instead of just dealing with the surface appearance.
Treatment Options
Toenail fungus is tricky, and over-the-counter creams rarely work because they don’t penetrate the nail bed. Medical treatments are far more effective. The main options include:
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Oral Medications – Prescription antifungal pills can work from the inside out, but they often take months and may cause side effects like liver stress.
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Topical Prescription Treatments – Stronger than drugstore creams, these can help mild infections but require consistent, long-term use.
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Laser Treatment – The most advanced option available, especially the FDA-cleared PinPointe laser, which specifically targets the fungus without damaging surrounding tissue.
Why Laser Treatment is the Gold Standard
The PinPointe laser has quickly become the preferred treatment for toenail fungus. Licensed podiatrists who specialize in nail and foot conditions perform this treatment, unlike salon services.
Here’s why it stands out:
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One Session: Many patients only need a single treatment.
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Safe and Painless: There are no side effects, no needles, and no anesthesia.
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No Downtime: You can walk out of the office and resume normal activities right away.
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High Success Rate: Laser treatment has one of the best cure rates compared to other methods.
In the months following treatment, patients often see new, healthy nail growth, which shows that the fungus no longer exists.
The Bottom Line
While nail salons can be relaxing and fun for cosmetic care, they are not the place to go if you want to treat toenail fungus. Salons lack the training, equipment, and medical licenses needed to safely address fungal infections. In fact, continuing to visit a salon with toenail fungus can put others at risk and worsen your own condition.
If you’re dealing with thick, discolored, or painful toenails, the best solution is to see a podiatrist. Professional treatments like the PinPointe laser offer safe, effective, and lasting results—something no nail salon can promise.
For more information or to schedule a consultation with our nail doctor in Los Angeles, CA, call 1-(800) 672-0625 or visit our website. Don’t just cover up fungus—eliminate it for good.
