Nail care is not just about beauty but about health

Highlighting the hygiene and educational aspects of nail care services provided in neighborhood beauty salons, Podologist Muharrem Tosun emphasized that podologists focus not only on aesthetics but also on medical care.

Instructor Muharrem Tosun explained, “Podologists are specialists particularly trained in foot health. They deal with problems such as ingrown toenails, calluses, nail fungus, and deformed nails. They can also perform medical foot care. Rather than focusing solely on aesthetics, they prioritize health and apply personalized medical treatments.”

Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services Podology Program Instructor Muharrem Tosun shared his evaluation on hand and foot nail care.

“The number of unlicensed workers is alarmingly high”

Commenting on the training and certification levels of nail care specialists working in local salons, Tosun said, “While some people attend beauty courses and receive basic training, many learn this work entirely through experience. The number of individuals working without certification is alarmingly high. This can pose serious risks in terms of hygiene and health, as those without professional training may lack sufficient knowledge about contagious infections such as fungus, warts, and other skin diseases.”

“These training programs do not include medical knowledge”

Explaining that nail care professionals usually gain competence through short-term courses, Tosun continued, “They typically attend short beauty and care courses covering manicure, pedicure, hand and foot care, and artificial nails. Some receive a certificate after completing these courses. However, these programs do not include medical education, which means they are not authorized to address health-related problems. Their qualifications are limited mainly to aesthetic and cosmetic care.”

“Using sterile equipment and gloves is vital”

Emphasizing that neglecting hygiene rules can lead to serious infections, Podologist Muharrem Tosun said, “Such professionals must use sterilized or single-use tools for each client. The use of gloves, as well as the cleanliness of hands and the workspace, is extremely important. To prevent the spread of contagious diseases such as nail fungus, warts, or infections, they must strictly adhere to hygiene protocols. In addition, if they notice any signs of a medical condition, they should refrain from performing the procedure and refer the person to a specialist.”

“Podologists are experts in foot health”

Reiterating that podologists focus on both aesthetic and medical care, Tosun said, Podologists are specialists in foot health. They address issues such as ingrown nails, calluses, nail fungus, and nail deformities. They also perform medical foot care, prioritizing health over appearance and providing individualized treatment. Podologists not only handle nail care but also provide specialized support in areas such as diabetic foot care, athlete’s foot care, and foot care for pregnant women.”

“Nail care plays a key role in the early detection of health problems”

Podologist Muharrem Tosun stated that podologists carefully examine changes in the structure of nails. He explained, “During care procedures, podologists pay attention to details such as nail color, texture, thickness, and shape to identify potential health issues. They can detect conditions such as nail fungus, circulatory disorders, or diabetic complications at an early stage. In such cases, they work in a multidisciplinary manner and collaborate with medical specialists. By intervening in time, they help prevent serious health problems. During treatment, they follow scientific methods and use medical instruments to provide painless and hygienic solutions.”

“Regular nail care improves quality of life”

Emphasizing that nail care is not only about appearance but also about overall well-being, Instructor Muharrem Tosun said that “Regular nail care is important not just for aesthetics but also for health. Through proper care, unwanted conditions such as nail fungus, thickening, or ingrown toenails can be prevented. Some diseases can also manifest themselves through changes in nail color or shape. In particular, elderly individuals and diabetic patients often experience nail thickening and may have difficulty trimming their nails at home, which can negatively affect their social lives. Proper nail care for these individuals can improve their quality of life and help prevent foot infections.

When podologists notice a health issue during a procedure, they act within the scope of their professional duties and responsibilities. In cases beyond their authority, they know, thanks to their training, which type of specialist to refer the person to. In this way, timely and appropriate intervention is provided, ensuring a holistic approach to health.”

“Use of sterilization equipment is essential”

Reminding that the greatest risk in nail care is infection transmission, Instructor Muharrem Tosun said, “Research has shown that the most significant risk during nail procedures is the possibility of infection transmission. Therefore, all tools and instruments used must be sterilized with devices such as autoclaves. I especially urge everyone to pay close attention to this issue.”