Can I wear Polish with Fungal Toenails?

Picture to the right is of a real client that came in with polish applied to what looks like could be thick fungal nails. 

Real client came in with polish on toenails that looked to have toenail fungus.

​This is an actual picture of a clients pedicure that
was done by another Pedicurist

Sandal Season is finally here....yeaaaa! Summer time is when you get the chance to put away those uncomfortable winter shoes and boots in exchange for our beloved flip flops and sandals. This is also the time of  year where everyone is looking to get their feet in shape and this usually means a much anticipated trip to the local nail salon.  People love...love....love pedicures and rightfully so! To be honest there is not to much in this world that can match a really Goooood Pedicure :)

Let's be clear, not all pedicure services are created equal and this often applies to the type of service and the skill set of the servicing professional providing the pedicure service. Most consumers don't really ask the right questions when looking for a reputable and qualified salon for their grooming and salon services. Since the topic is pedicures, this is what we will discuss.  Given the title of this blog post, our focus in particular, is all about polish being applied to fungal nails.  From a professional stand point, any Nail Tech or Pedicurist should always practice and provide service following proper sanitation protocols as provided by each individual state, but aside from that, a true professional service provider should also have a sense of integrity when servicing their customers and interacting with consumers.

Fungus can spread from person to person and can also be spread if a Nail Tech or Pedicurist does not properly sanitize or sterilize their implements and equipment. Pedicures in particular, should be given much attention. The nail care industry is growing and with that said, Pedicures are big business and knowing how to safeguard your clients from potential infection should be a top priority. As Pedicurist and Nail Techs, we often service and care for individuals who already have health compromising situations, which makes it even  more important, as professionals, to use our skill sets, awareness and proper protocol for each client on an individual basis. 

Back to the question on whether or not polish can be applied to fungal toenails. There are polishes on the market that tout having anti-fungal ingredients like garlic extract and tea tree oil to help manage fungus, but typically, it is not suggested that a person with toenail fungus wear toenail polish. Toenail polish can harbor moisture and further advance the growth and spread of the infected toenail. It's also not a good idea to try and "cover" up dark toenails or diagnosed fungal toenails out of embarrassment of what your feet look like.  The best way to deal with toenail fungus is to accept it and put in place good practices to help get rid of the toenail fungus. Covering it up will only cause more issues. As a consumer another tid bit of advice would be to consider the quality of service versus cost. The cheapest pedicure in town may be saving you a few pennies, but, what should be the most concerning to you as a consumer is the skill set and sanitation practices of your Nail Tech or Pedicurist.

Even though Nail Techs and Pedicurist can not diagnose any condition, A practicing professional should be able to recognize advanced stages of fungal toenails and from that point on refer the client to their Physician or Podiatrist. At the end of the day, it is totally at the discretion of the servicing Pedicurist to ensure that they are making the right decisions for their customers and for their business. The client’s best interest and health should always be the primary factor 

Have questions for The Traveling Pedicurst? Send them to: [email protected] OR call: (919) 621-7027