Proper Pedicure Treatments for Clients with Diabetes

According to a July 2008 study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 8% of Americans or 24 million people suffer from Diabetes. With so many people afflicted with this disease, it is likely some clients who book pedicure treatments in your spa will have diabetes. For a spa owner or manager, a diabetic client will mean a deviation from your spa’s normal pedicure routine in order to treat the client safely.

In general, pedicures and diabetes are a dangerous mix. Some of the complications of the disease - poor circulation, difficulty healing, and decreased sensitivity in the feet due to nerve damage can be exacerbated if the client is diabetic. In order to execute safe and satisfying pedicure treatments for diabetic clients, ensure your staff are equipped and trained to handle special clients. Try these tips in your spa.

· Educate yourself and your staff. Diabetes comes in two forms, Type 1 and 2. Type 1 diabetics are insulin dependent and are more likely to suffer from the physical symptoms, particularly in advanced stages of the disease. Type 2 diabetics produce their own insulin, but their bodies are resistant to it. It is possible for someone to be a type 2 diabetic for several years without knowing it. For this reason it is important for you and your staff to know the signs and symptoms of this disease in order to accurately recognize the signs of this disease in case the client does not disclose the information.

· Conduct a medical history and background evaluation with the client before performing the treatment. Allowing the client to share information about the disease will give you a better idea of what pedicure treatments will be harmful to the client. According to The Salon Professional’s Guide to Footcare by Godfrey Mix a physical evaluation of the feet and legs should be conducted as well. He recommends that the feet, skin and hair growth should look normal as these are all indications of good circulation. He mentions, “if the foot becomes discolored, bluish or deep reddish, when it is on the floor, this indicates very poor circulation.” He also recommends ensuring the client has normal feeling in their feet.

· Consult a physician first. If for any reason you feel hesitant or unsafe performing the treatment in the spa, have the client consult their physician before you begin.

· Be spotlessly clean. Keep in mind that diabetics are much more susceptible to infection than healthy people. Even if the equipment has been sanitized, it may be advisable to do it again.

· Use warm water to soak feet. Water should not be too hot for a diabetic. In his book Godfrey mix suggests that the water stay at or below 100 degrees.

· Avoid using sharp tools or use with extreme caution. In addition to being more likely to get an infection, diabetics heal slowly and occasionally—not at all. Keep metal nail files, nail clippers, and other sharp objects away from diabetic’s feet if you are concerned about causing a small cut or scrape.

If done properly, a pedicure treatment can be very beneficial and therapeutic for a diabetic client. It will create a very loyal client for your business and keep them coming back month after month.

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