Can Pedicures Cause Ingrown Toenails?

Pedicures make our feet look clean and fresh, but yes  sometimes they can lead to ingrown toenails. It doesn’t happen every time, but when the nails are cut the wrong way or the salon isn’t very hygienic, the chances go up. Here’s the real picture.

Why Pedicures Sometimes Lead to Ingrown Nails

1. Nails cut too short or too rounded
   This is the biggest reason. If the technician trims the nail super short or rounds the corners too much, the nail can start growing into the skin instead of straight out.
2. Unclean tools or foot baths
   If the tools aren’t properly sanitised, bacteria or fungus can get into the skin. The infection and swelling that follow can change the way your nail grows  and that sometimes leads to ingrown nails.
3. Wearing tight shoes after your pedicure
   Freshly cut nails + squeezed toes = pressure on the nail edges. This can make the corner of the nail dig into the skin.

A Quick Pedicure Safety Checklist

• Ask the technician to cut your nails straight across, not too rounded.
  
  
• Make sure the tools look properly cleaned (or carry your own).
  
  
• Avoid cutting cuticles too deeply.
  
  
• Wear comfortable shoes with some toe room right after your pedicure.
  
  
• If your toes feel red, swollen, or painful, skip salon visits until they heal.

A Simple Real-Life Example

Picture this: you get a pedicure, and the technician trims your big toenail very short and rounds both corners. Two days later you put on tight closed shoes. By evening, you feel a sharp pain on the side of your toe.
What’s happening?
The pressure from the shoe is pushing that rounded nail edge into your skin  a classic early-stage ingrown nail.
If the nail had been cut straight across and you wore roomier shoes, you probably wouldn’t have felt anything.

What to Do if You Notice an Early Ingrown Nail

• Soak your foot in warm water for 10–15 minutes daily.
  
  
• Keep the area clean and avoid tight shoes.
  
  
• Don’t try to dig or cut deeply at home  that can make it worse.
  
  
• If swelling, redness, or pain increases, see a doctor or a podiatrist quickly.

FAQ

Q: Does every pedicure cause ingrown nails?
No, not at all. Most pedicures are done safely. Problems happen only when trimming is done incorrectly or hygiene is poor.

Q: How soon can an ingrown nail appear after a pedicure?
Often within a few days  especially if the nail was cut too short and your toes were squeezed in tight shoes.

Q: Can a pedicure fix an ingrown nail?
Not really. Salons aren’t trained to treat ingrown nails, and trying to fix it there can make things worse. It’s best to see a medical professional.