Nail spa boasts medical-based service
BUTLER TWP — For the most part, all nail salons offer the same services; however, they do not all come with a podiatrist on duty.
At The Medi-Pedi Nail Spa located in Point Plaza, Dr. Michaele Crawford and her staff offer a service that goes above and beyond any normal pedicure.
“I'm a podiatrist,” Crawford said. After seeing improper cleaning of nail products at salons, Crawford decided to open a salon that would offer clean and safe manicures and pedicures.
“Mostly it's the same services as the average nail salons,” Crawford said. “The primary difference is the quality of product.”
The salon also differs in the staff Crawford has hired. “We're licensed nail technicians, but also medical nail technicians,” said Patricia Luciana, employee at The Medi-Pedi Nail Spa.
Luciana and Christel Reynolds are medical nail technicians, and perform the manicures and pedicures. They are concerned with the cleanliness of the products and use special cleaning procedures to ensure everything is sterile.
“We sterilize everything,” Luciana said. The salon has an autoclave, which is a sterilizing machine that is also used by hospitals and dentists to sterilize medical instruments.
The tools that they use that can be sterilized and reused are placed in a sterilization pouch and cleaned in the autoclave. The pouches are not unsealed until they are being opened in front of the customer to ensure they are sterile.
The tools that are used during the manicures or pedicures are thrown away after they are used. The cleaning procedures used are especially important to customers with medical conditions.
Diabetics have to pay special attention when they are getting pedicures. According to the American Diabetes Association's website, “Foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage, also called neuropathy, which results in loss of feeling in your feet.”When customers with diabetes have issues with their feet, it is especially important to go to a facility that can accommodate and understand their condition.“A lot of places aren't trained in the medical conditions to know who is at risk,” Crawford said.It is important for all customers to be provided a clean service, but some customers will be more susceptible to infections.“Infections and nerve damage can lead to burns and non-healing wounds,” Crawford said. “We are concerned with foot health.”The medical nail technicians are able to tell if a person is having an issue with their feet. If they feel the condition is serious enough they are able to have Dr. Crawford look at it.“I'm here most of the hours that the salon is open so I can see people if they have concerns,” Crawford said. “I enjoy a good manicure and pedicure as much as anyone else and I want it to be safe.”The employees of the salon are also focused on getting women away from using acrylic nails.“The grinding of the surface of the nail allows for splits and crack, which can let in bacteria,” Crawford said. “We're dedicated to women getting away from acrylics.”The salon is open to the public by appointment only, and offers what it refers to as “PediCare” and “ManiCare” services.“For the most part for a standard trim 6 to 8 weeks, if they are getting their nails painted sooner,” Crawford said. A full list of health conditions and services can be found at their website at www.butlerfootcare.com.Manicures and pedicures might seem like a luxury, but they important in maintaining a healthy body.“You only get one set of feet,” Crawford said. “Take care of them.”
