Dr. Zong healthy pedicure tips!

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You know it is just that time again! Time for toes to look fabulous! Like candied eggs even! I happen to give my toes the winter off; once I begin to wear boots and closed toed shoes throughout the winter months, I take my polish off and leave it off!

Then, when the warm weather and opened toed shoes come back in style, I put the pedi on and leave it all summer long until it gets cold again. Then I repeat! I do get a weekly polish change, and due to economy, I don't go weekly to the salon anymore for my pedicure ( boo hoo) though do my own.

Below are some amazing tips from New York City cosmetic podiatrist Dr. Zong: enjoy!

According to most American women, a trip to the nail salon or spa for a pedicure is not just a luxury – it is an accepted portion of their weekly beauty regimen! With so many women including pedicures as routine, it is no surprise that the bar has been raised when it comes to safety standards. According to New York City cosmetic podiatrist Dr. Oliver Zong, “a pedicure is something I recommend to my patients who want to maintain both the health and look of their feet, but I warn them to ‘proceed with caution’ when choosing a nail salon to frequent.”



Dr. Zong’s hesitation is warranted: in October of 2000, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention investigated the first known outbreak of Mycobacterium fortuitum cutaneous infections acquired from whirlpool footbaths. As a prominent podiatrist in New York City , Dr. Zong has seen countless patients who have developed infections in their feet as a result of spa pedicures.



Dr. Zong’s Pedi-Do’s:

•Do ask salon workers how the foot spas are maintained and how often they are cleaned. Take notice of their actions while they are working on clients to see if footbaths are disinfected with each customer.
•Do pay attention to the time spent cleaning footbaths between customers. The disinfectant needs to work for the full time listed on its label, typically 10 minutes, depending on the type of disinfectant. It is worth your health & safety to practice patience at the spa!
•Do check your skin for infection during the days following your pedicure. Open wounds may appear on the skin of your feet and legs and can look like insect bites, but increase in size and severity over time.
•Do visit your podiatrist or primary care physician if you suspect you may have a serious infection.


Dr. Zong’s Pedi-Don’ts:

•Don’t get a pedicure if you have cuts or abrasions on your feet or legs. Microorganisms living in footbaths can enter through the skin and cause infection.
•Don’t shave, wax or use hair removal creams within a day before getting a pedicure
•Don’t get a pedicure if you have bug bites, bruises, scratches, scabs or poison ivy.
Remember: you are beautiful!
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The Flap about Flip Flops

The Flap about Flip Flops and Your Feet

Ladies, in Arizona where I live, the flip flop in its many incarnations is worn throughout the year. Even to some formal occasions I have seen both men and women wearing a version of the flip flop.Pedicure salons abound in the greater Phoenix area because of the demand for well coiffed heels and toes.

I personally, own several pairs of flip flops from the simple black rubbers to the decorated mini heels with flowers hanging off of them. Right now for the summer of 2008, the roman sandal or a multi-tie lace up over the foot and around the ankle is very popular.

Below I have quoted a foot doctor and his professional opinion on foot care and what kind of damage our beautiful shoes do to our feet. I read it and can agree to limit my heel and flop wearing time to a minimum, but let’s define…what’s minimum? If I am not in flip flops, I’m in heels, and only when running my daily 5K am I in sneakers.

"New York City podiatrist Dr. Oliver Zong warns that flip flops and flats may do more harm than good! According to Dr. Zong, “instead of mimicking the movement of walking barefoot and allowing the foot to naturally roll from heel to toe, a soft-soled shoe actually creates more work for the muscles of the foot therefore tiring them out faster.”

During the summer Dr. Zong often sees patients with symptoms of heel pain, plantar fasciitis, or tendonitis of the various muscles of the foot. In fact, a new study published by Auburn University has found that flip flop wearers took shorter steps and their heels hit the ground with less vertical force than when the same walkers wore athletic shoes. According to Dr. Zong, “a soft-soled shoe generally does not allow the foot to naturally roll from heel to toe since it generally has a softer midfoot – and the lack of support will generally cause more injury then good.”


The study also found that people wearing flip flops don’t raise their toes up as much as the legs swing forward to take a step. Dr Zong says that soft-soled shoes call for more gripping of the toes during the gait cycle, and it can cause overuse of the tendons and lead to injury. According to Dr. Zong, to remedy these problems, he recommends patients return to support shoes such as sneakers with a 1-2 inch heel to take the pressure off the plantar fascia (a ligament typically injured and causes heel pain). In the long run, Dr. Zong recommends limiting flip flop use to a few hours a day – the same prescription for women wearing high heels. "

So what’s a gal to wear? What other shoe choice is there really that is fashionable and lovely to look at? Shoes and handbags are my favorite accessory right next to the perfect lip gloss.

I believe, walk softly in the Lord and where a high heel, especially one with a platform. I’ll try to limit my wearing to a minimum…but until it’s boot weather, I think I’ll be barefoot.

Remember, when getting your pedicures to look over the facility for cleanliness, high hygiene practices and use of sanitizers. If you can bring your own personal pedi-tools for use on yourself by the nail technician, you have a better chance of staying fungus and infection free.
All salons have to post their health department inspection list, if there is anything less than an A, don’t use that salon. An “A” rating allows up to 16 infractions. Just think what below an A allows!

Be safe in your barefeet, your flip flops and high heels, just keep it to a minimum!


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