Manicures & Pedicures

TiggersDoBounce
TiggersDoBounce Member Posts: 408
Okay Ladies, I know on the scale of things small to large, this is trivial...but I am curious.

I used to love getting my nails and feet done, (pedicures and acrylics) but thought I heard we who are going through treatment should steer clear.

Have you all heard that? Now assume I go to someone who uses my own kit (like I used to) and I feel good about the cleanliness of the salon...

Just curious...I really miss it and my hands and feet could use some sprucing up.

Thanks!

Laurie

Comments

  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    Interesting Topic
    Laurie,

    Interesting as we just brought this up at my group therapy this past Monday. I never even thought about pedicures and manicures and using your own supplies. Well when a beautician in our group told us about the pedicures and how they re-used the water, nor truly sanitized the bowels for the manicures, I know why I do it myself. The germs are just floating and no one stops them with anti-disinfectants...so it spreads. We as cancer patients in treatments can't afford to get sick.

    Suggestion was to bring your own supplies, but then you have to assume the person doing the procedure has clean hands too. Sounds to me like a room loaded with germs and in today's world none of us needs to add more issues to our already challenging cancer diagnosis.

    Just my thoughts....
    Jan
  • sallyh
    sallyh Member Posts: 16
    jazzy1 said:

    Interesting Topic
    Laurie,

    Interesting as we just brought this up at my group therapy this past Monday. I never even thought about pedicures and manicures and using your own supplies. Well when a beautician in our group told us about the pedicures and how they re-used the water, nor truly sanitized the bowels for the manicures, I know why I do it myself. The germs are just floating and no one stops them with anti-disinfectants...so it spreads. We as cancer patients in treatments can't afford to get sick.

    Suggestion was to bring your own supplies, but then you have to assume the person doing the procedure has clean hands too. Sounds to me like a room loaded with germs and in today's world none of us needs to add more issues to our already challenging cancer diagnosis.

    Just my thoughts....
    Jan

    I wouldnt worry about it
    Cancer patients tend to get really over paranoid about germs but the truth of the matter is they are everywhere. The keyboard you type on. the mouse you scroll around with, door knobs, chairs, car seats / handles, i can go on an on. Be cautious with certain things but don't get lost in worrying about germs. Remember you are a cancer patient not a cancer prisoner.
  • sallyh
    sallyh Member Posts: 16
    jazzy1 said:

    Interesting Topic
    Laurie,

    Interesting as we just brought this up at my group therapy this past Monday. I never even thought about pedicures and manicures and using your own supplies. Well when a beautician in our group told us about the pedicures and how they re-used the water, nor truly sanitized the bowels for the manicures, I know why I do it myself. The germs are just floating and no one stops them with anti-disinfectants...so it spreads. We as cancer patients in treatments can't afford to get sick.

    Suggestion was to bring your own supplies, but then you have to assume the person doing the procedure has clean hands too. Sounds to me like a room loaded with germs and in today's world none of us needs to add more issues to our already challenging cancer diagnosis.

    Just my thoughts....
    Jan

    I wouldnt worry about it
    Cancer patients tend to get really over paranoid about germs but the truth of the matter is they are everywhere. The keyboard you type on. the mouse you scroll around with, door knobs, chairs, car seats / handles, i can go on an on. Be cautious with certain things but don't get lost in worrying about germs. Remember you are a cancer patient not a cancer prisoner.
  • TiggersDoBounce
    TiggersDoBounce Member Posts: 408
    sallyh said:

    I wouldnt worry about it
    Cancer patients tend to get really over paranoid about germs but the truth of the matter is they are everywhere. The keyboard you type on. the mouse you scroll around with, door knobs, chairs, car seats / handles, i can go on an on. Be cautious with certain things but don't get lost in worrying about germs. Remember you are a cancer patient not a cancer prisoner.

    Sallyh
    Thanks Sally... I agree...

    I will mention it to my Oncologist on the 5th...

    Thanks!

    Laurie
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379

    Sallyh
    Thanks Sally... I agree...

    I will mention it to my Oncologist on the 5th...

    Thanks!

    Laurie

    Germs!
    I agree we do get concerned, but remember when in treatments our immune systems are challenged. We're more vulnerable to germs and our bodies can't fight them off as easily. Just ask any oncologist and they'll agree.

    Now I've been away from treatments for 10 mos and don't feel as crazy about germs but during treatments I was. When my white counts were down and my oncologist wanted me to have a nulasta shot I tryed to convince him not to have shot. His concern, I'm more vulnerable to germs and could end up in hospital. That's enough to scare anyone!!

    Just think before we touch.....:D
  • Northwoodsgirl
    Northwoodsgirl Member Posts: 571
    Mani and Pedis
    I would not get a pedicure or manicure during treatement in a salon. Being immunocompromised, unless the salon sterilized their tools, you could contract any number of bacteria, fungi, viruses (including warts). Also some chemo can create nail problems---there is a term called "chemo nails". I had problems with a couple of nails on my feet while undergoing chemo. Once your immune system has recovered then a mani or pedi would be option but not under treatment. I had a mani and pedi before I started treatment and am thinking about pedi now that it has been 4 months since my last chemo. Additionally if you get facials with like glycolic acid or get eyebrows waxed you need to tell the esthetician. My first eyebrow wax my skin was way more sensitive and my first facial my skin was more sensitive than pre chemo and radiation.
  • aprillorey
    aprillorey Member Posts: 104

    Mani and Pedis
    I would not get a pedicure or manicure during treatement in a salon. Being immunocompromised, unless the salon sterilized their tools, you could contract any number of bacteria, fungi, viruses (including warts). Also some chemo can create nail problems---there is a term called "chemo nails". I had problems with a couple of nails on my feet while undergoing chemo. Once your immune system has recovered then a mani or pedi would be option but not under treatment. I had a mani and pedi before I started treatment and am thinking about pedi now that it has been 4 months since my last chemo. Additionally if you get facials with like glycolic acid or get eyebrows waxed you need to tell the esthetician. My first eyebrow wax my skin was way more sensitive and my first facial my skin was more sensitive than pre chemo and radiation.

    No mater where u go i would
    No mater where u go i would be careful if your undergoing treatment i would not do this now im new to the cancer as u no and just under went the sugery and soon to undergo Raditation well after i was told i had cancer we was at walmart and i watched ( this is not a joke either ) as a random guy picked his butt then he picked somthing up in the food part looked at it and put it down walked off i was so sick to my tummy at how much germs is in our stores we dont no about i get sick easy as it is anyways so of course it made me sick

    i also saw a little kid lick a cuecumber and place it back and the mother was just fine with it didnt say a word

    again making me sick the store manger didnt do nothing about it and left the items there

    we turly most be careful if we go any where i would always take hand stuff with u and make sure you use it i went out tonight and feel very much sick

    its up to you but i dont think i would do it just yet unsure if u have your own stuff

    one ideal is have a friend come over and do it for you ? thats just an ideal that way u can control her washing her hands and no all the stuff is yours and cleaned

    god bless hun
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379

    No mater where u go i would
    No mater where u go i would be careful if your undergoing treatment i would not do this now im new to the cancer as u no and just under went the sugery and soon to undergo Raditation well after i was told i had cancer we was at walmart and i watched ( this is not a joke either ) as a random guy picked his butt then he picked somthing up in the food part looked at it and put it down walked off i was so sick to my tummy at how much germs is in our stores we dont no about i get sick easy as it is anyways so of course it made me sick

    i also saw a little kid lick a cuecumber and place it back and the mother was just fine with it didnt say a word

    again making me sick the store manger didnt do nothing about it and left the items there

    we turly most be careful if we go any where i would always take hand stuff with u and make sure you use it i went out tonight and feel very much sick

    its up to you but i dont think i would do it just yet unsure if u have your own stuff

    one ideal is have a friend come over and do it for you ? thats just an ideal that way u can control her washing her hands and no all the stuff is yours and cleaned

    god bless hun

    Stories
    Germs are everywhere and I agree we need to be more cautious when in treatments or a period of time after treatments. More susceptible to sickness when our immune systems are down.

    You mentioned being in grocery store and what you saw...well I was a corp sales rep for 15 years and called on many grocery chains throughout my territory. I saw a store take the "outdated" meat out of the meat coolers and re-use them in the deli as bbq beef. Or...mice running on the floors & shelves of stores, and store managers called the "sales reps" (me)of each of their vendors to come for a store clean-up. They had us clean off the shelves where so many of the mice were living (love to chew on the glue seal on packaging). If you only knew half of it!!!!

    Another one is FOOD BARS or SALAD BARS!!! People sneeze on their hands and then place them on the areas of food. Note, the plastic shields at top of bars truly don't catch the germs, just look good and make us think they're sanitized.

    Jan
  • Northwoodsgirl
    Northwoodsgirl Member Posts: 571
    jazzy1 said:

    Stories
    Germs are everywhere and I agree we need to be more cautious when in treatments or a period of time after treatments. More susceptible to sickness when our immune systems are down.

    You mentioned being in grocery store and what you saw...well I was a corp sales rep for 15 years and called on many grocery chains throughout my territory. I saw a store take the "outdated" meat out of the meat coolers and re-use them in the deli as bbq beef. Or...mice running on the floors & shelves of stores, and store managers called the "sales reps" (me)of each of their vendors to come for a store clean-up. They had us clean off the shelves where so many of the mice were living (love to chew on the glue seal on packaging). If you only knew half of it!!!!

    Another one is FOOD BARS or SALAD BARS!!! People sneeze on their hands and then place them on the areas of food. Note, the plastic shields at top of bars truly don't catch the germs, just look good and make us think they're sanitized.

    Jan

    Stories
    I believe everything you have said about the grocery store scenarios. I am alway suspicious of meats that are covered with sauces (repurposed meat I call it.) Another germy place is airplanes...tray tables. I carry GERM-X prepackaged hand sanitizers with me everywhere and wipe down everything. I still do this and I am 3 months post treatment.
    Oh yes, and the grocery store cart handles! We definatley live in a hostile environment which we take for granted when we have well functioning immune systems. Thanks for the wisdom.
    Lori
  • aprillorey
    aprillorey Member Posts: 104

    Stories
    I believe everything you have said about the grocery store scenarios. I am alway suspicious of meats that are covered with sauces (repurposed meat I call it.) Another germy place is airplanes...tray tables. I carry GERM-X prepackaged hand sanitizers with me everywhere and wipe down everything. I still do this and I am 3 months post treatment.
    Oh yes, and the grocery store cart handles! We definatley live in a hostile environment which we take for granted when we have well functioning immune systems. Thanks for the wisdom.
    Lori

    YUK to all of that i believe
    YUK to all of that i believe that as well about the stores as for the cart handles i always wipe them down before using them

    also your right we love going to the food bars and i never once thought about how much germs could even be in that place im glad u brought that up i think ill Stay away from that from now on as your right about germs living in there

    i always been a germ freak since i was a little girl so bad my dad would take me to every gas station so i could wash my hands LOL how ever i didnt think alot about some things until i got sick with cancer then i thought even harder on the things i touch with my hands and or put in to my mouth


    ok ladys good advice :)
  • YES You Can, Carefully
    Hello,

    I know the post was a while ago but I wanted to leave a comment in case you (or others) are still curious about this. I work for Compassionate Beauty, (www.compassionatebeauty.com). We are a Canadian company that specializes in improving the self-image of women undergoing cancer treatment -- among the things we offer is aesthetic services (manis, pedis, facials) that are safe during treatment. I would recommend that you do a DIY mani/pedi, but if you are insistent on going to get the spa experience, go to a spa with a high standard of cleanliness and ask your aesthetician to NOT cut your cuticles. This is the part of the process that leaves you most susceptible to infection -- and the part of a mani/pedi that we do not perform as a standard in our workplace. Feel free to email other questions and I can do my best to answer them. Hopefully one day we can help bring our spa to women in America as well.

    All the best to you,
    Jessica
    jessica@compassionatebeauty.com
  • LizGrrr
    LizGrrr Member Posts: 127 Member

    YES You Can, Carefully
    Hello,

    I know the post was a while ago but I wanted to leave a comment in case you (or others) are still curious about this. I work for Compassionate Beauty, (www.compassionatebeauty.com). We are a Canadian company that specializes in improving the self-image of women undergoing cancer treatment -- among the things we offer is aesthetic services (manis, pedis, facials) that are safe during treatment. I would recommend that you do a DIY mani/pedi, but if you are insistent on going to get the spa experience, go to a spa with a high standard of cleanliness and ask your aesthetician to NOT cut your cuticles. This is the part of the process that leaves you most susceptible to infection -- and the part of a mani/pedi that we do not perform as a standard in our workplace. Feel free to email other questions and I can do my best to answer them. Hopefully one day we can help bring our spa to women in America as well.

    All the best to you,
    Jessica
    jessica@compassionatebeauty.com

    Mani pedi ok
    I've asked my onc and chemo nurses and all support Mani/pedi at a salon so long as your are confident in the cleanliness of the salon. As soon as the rest of my leg hair falls out I'm soooooo getting a pedi! I was looking forward to a manicure but alas all my fingernails are broken so something to look forward to

    Separately, ACS has a program called Look Goid Feel Better which offers complimentary makeup lessons for women undergoing cancer treatment. Free samples included - I'm going next week and am looking forward to a pick me up

    Lug in Dallas
  • JoAnnDK
    JoAnnDK Member Posts: 275
    LizGrrr said:

    Mani pedi ok
    I've asked my onc and chemo nurses and all support Mani/pedi at a salon so long as your are confident in the cleanliness of the salon. As soon as the rest of my leg hair falls out I'm soooooo getting a pedi! I was looking forward to a manicure but alas all my fingernails are broken so something to look forward to

    Separately, ACS has a program called Look Goid Feel Better which offers complimentary makeup lessons for women undergoing cancer treatment. Free samples included - I'm going next week and am looking forward to a pick me up

    Lug in Dallas

    the "book"
    At Hopkins, chemo patients go to a class prior to starting chemo. My daughter and husband attended with me. I got a huge notebook with specific instructions of what not to do during treatment when one's immune system is so compromised.....and what to do, as well. Also, food suggestions and practical ideas.

    Here are just a few of the limitations:

    no fresh fruits or vegetables, especially berries. Canned/jarred fruits were okay, or cooked veggies
    limited time around other people, especially in stores
    no fresh flowers or houseplants (or gardening)
    no manicures or pedicures
    no massages (and my massage therapist would not do one, anyway)
    no picking up pet waste

    I was told that I could have a mani or pedi a month after my last treatment, and a gentle massage as well. I go to a nail salon that is meticulously clean. In fact, I was there this morning. With neuropathy as bad as mine, I really need someone else to take care of and check my feet.

    During treatment, I treated my self once a week to a visit to my library. The library keeps track of their peak attendance times and I was able to get that info and time my trips for when attendance was low and there were no children's programs. After getting books, I would go home and wipe them down as well as possible.

    I found that Clorox wipes were my best friends.
  • Sara Zipora
    Sara Zipora Member Posts: 231
    JoAnnDK said:

    the "book"
    At Hopkins, chemo patients go to a class prior to starting chemo. My daughter and husband attended with me. I got a huge notebook with specific instructions of what not to do during treatment when one's immune system is so compromised.....and what to do, as well. Also, food suggestions and practical ideas.

    Here are just a few of the limitations:

    no fresh fruits or vegetables, especially berries. Canned/jarred fruits were okay, or cooked veggies
    limited time around other people, especially in stores
    no fresh flowers or houseplants (or gardening)
    no manicures or pedicures
    no massages (and my massage therapist would not do one, anyway)
    no picking up pet waste

    I was told that I could have a mani or pedi a month after my last treatment, and a gentle massage as well. I go to a nail salon that is meticulously clean. In fact, I was there this morning. With neuropathy as bad as mine, I really need someone else to take care of and check my feet.

    During treatment, I treated my self once a week to a visit to my library. The library keeps track of their peak attendance times and I was able to get that info and time my trips for when attendance was low and there were no children's programs. After getting books, I would go home and wipe them down as well as possible.

    I found that Clorox wipes were my best friends.

    What do you guys/gals think of pedicure chair, new water each time, no scissors and my own organic polish. Rust to remind, my blood results in toilet ;-)
    By this I mean very compromised immune system?
    Sara