Tools for Podologists – Everything Needed for the Job
Modern podology tools help treat nails and skin carefully, reducing the risk of additional tissue trauma. By the way, all the necessary materials and tools for podology can be purchased in the “Nails” section of the Beauty Hunter website.
The basic set of a specialist can include the following tools:
- Curette is used to clean the space under the nail, treat the lateral nail folds, and work with ingrown nails. Thanks to its shape, it allows dirt and keratinized areas of skin to be removed as carefully as possible without excessive pressure on the tissues.
- Podology nippers differ from classic manicure models in the shape of the cutting blade and increased durability. They are used to work with thickened, deformed, and damaged nail plates. A high-quality podology tool should be made of medical-grade steel and withstand regular sterilization without losing its cutting properties.
- Spatula and pusher are used to carefully lift the cuticle, clean the nail surface, and prepare it for further work.
- Orange stick is used to apply products, clean hard-to-reach areas, and work with damaged nails. Using disposable tools helps maintain a high level of hygiene during the procedure.
- In cases of nail injuries, tweezers become an essential tool, as they can be used to carefully work with detached areas of the nail plate, secure dressing materials, or perform additional procedures during nail restoration.
- Bits and e-file are modern podology tools that help quickly and safely remove keratinized skin, treat cracks, clean the nail folds, and work with thickened nail plates. Using an e-file significantly reduces the procedure time and allows for a more precise result.
When choosing an e-file, it is necessary to consider its power, operating stability, and the presence of an overheating protection system. Different stages of the procedure require bits of different abrasiveness and shapes, so a specialist’s kit always includes several types of attachments.
When choosing tools, a podologist pays attention to the quality of the steel, ease of use, and the possibility of regular sterilization without losing their functional properties. A professional approach to selecting materials helps ensure a high level of safety and achieve the most effective procedure result.
Products for Podologists
Professional products used during the procedure play an equally important role. Properly selected products help prepare the skin and nail plate for treatment, speed up the procedure, and make it more comfortable for the client:
- Skin softeners.
Special softening products significantly simplify the cleaning of the space under the nails and the lateral nail folds, as they soften keratinized areas of the skin and prepare them for further treatment. Separate products with more active ingredients are used for foot care and can effectively handle even pronounced hyperkeratosis.
- Cleansing foam.
The foam is used for gentle cleansing of the skin before and after the procedure. It helps remove impurities and cosmetic residue and prepare the treatment area for the application of professional products.
- Skin antiseptic.
An antiseptic helps reduce the risk of infection and provides additional safety for both the specialist and the client.
- Hemostatic products.
Even with the most careful work, cases of injured or damaged nails may occur. That is why hemostatic products are included in the mandatory list of products needed by a podologist. They help quickly stop capillary bleeding and continue the procedure while following all safety requirements.
- Nail prosthetic gel.
Nail plate prosthetics require the use of specialized materials. The gel should be sufficiently flexible to withstand daily stress while walking, avoid cracking under pressure from footwear, and maintain comfort for the client.
Not every modeling material is suitable for podology procedures. When choosing a product, it is necessary to consider its intended purpose, flexibility, and resistance to mechanical stress. Flexible modeling materials with cushioning properties can be used to restore damaged nails. However, the choice of material always depends on the specific clinical case and the extent of restoration required.
Sterilization and Disinfection
Even the highest-quality podology tools cannot guarantee procedure safety without proper processing. A podologist also works with areas that have an increased risk of infection.
Tools must be processed in several stages. Immediately after the procedure, they are placed in a disinfectant solution according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for the product. This is followed by mechanical cleaning to remove residual contaminants, after which the tools are thoroughly rinsed and dried.
The next stage is sterilization. Processing tools in an autoclave is considered the most reliable method. Exposure to high temperature and pressure makes it possible to destroy bacteria, viruses, fungal microorganisms, and their spores. That is why an autoclave is essential equipment.
Before sterilization, tools are placed in special kraft pouches with temperature control indicators. They help maintain the sterility of the tools until they are used and confirm that the procedure has been carried out correctly. If the indicator color has not changed after processing, using such tools is not recommended.
Special attention should be paid to the storage of sterile tools. After processing, they must remain in sealed kraft pouches until the next procedure begins. Any damage to the integrity of the packaging automatically makes the tool non-sterile and requires all processing stages to be repeated.
Regular disinfection of work surfaces, devices, tool holders, and other accessories used during the procedure should not be overlooked either. A comprehensive approach to maintaining sanitary standards helps ensure safe working conditions for both the specialist and the client.
Special attention should be paid to bits used for hardware treatment, as using insufficiently cleaned attachments significantly increases the risk of transmitting fungal and bacterial infections.
A podologist’s work is first and foremost about caring for a person’s health and comfort. That is why high-quality materials, compliance with sterilization requirements, and the use of professional tools are an integral part of a specialist’s daily practice. And on the Beauty Hunter website, you can quickly and conveniently choose high-quality podology tools, professional materials for working with the nail plate, disinfection products, devices, and consumables.
