Personal recommendations is the best way to judge.
Cleanliness of the place is a must, and then see if they use sterilized nail clippers, etc.

I was worried about getting the staph infection and I asked my beautician if she had pedicures. She did and recommended the place I went to. After each customer is finished they fill the tube with bleach water and run it for 10 minutes. That is important, just wiping it out does not clean the tubes. I have only had it done twice, both times I saw them go through the cleaning routine. They had a lady who did nothing but clean the tubs. the only reason I had it done was because I broke my arm and my toenails needed clipping.

check their health ratings

I take it this is sort of as a treat for yourself? All I can advise is caution. Having had a GF get the nail fungus that took months to cure and I'm not totally convinced it was totally cured (remember the commercials of the gremlin going under the nails?) and a cousin of mine spent 11 days in the hospital with a staph infection a month ago and now has an electrical gadget hooked up to the foot... and had it gone about 2-3 more days my cousin would be facing amputation.

So I'm admittedly a bit biased here but I'm not sure this is something I feel good about recommending in any manner. True, the probability of problems is probably small, but so is the chance of getting STDs from unprotected sex. Yet I don't think I'd advise picking up a hooker without a condom...

Cynic, You sure know how to "put the fear in a body!"
That was enough to make me want to check with my doctor first.
I tend to think if the cleanliness is equal to what the others mentioned there shouldn't be any problem.

My DD wants to take me for a pedicure for a gift, and of course she wants to join the fun.--- Not to mention the fact that it is just too hard to reach them anymore.

Avoid the Asian drop in places because a lot of the time the whole family works under one person's license. Also, ask them to remove the drain cover so you can see how clean the drain is. I have had numerous infected toes from pedicures before I learned these two rules. I now only get pedicures at a cosmetology school or at a salon that I really trust.

OK, now! I did ask one of my neighbors. She told me "never go to one of the schools, because they don't allow them to use metal utensils."

Linda, if you go to a school, did you find that true?

all the shops around me are owned and run by Asians and their health ratings are high

I pay 37 total for mani/pedi, plus tip

Bring your own nail polish and top coat. OPI is one that the salons use.

Think about it, they use their nail polishes on everyone and quite possibly on someone who has fungus. Ewwwww!

I do my own now (after a bout of fungus). But I do like to go to a salon to get my little piggies that coiffed look, but I don't let them soak my feet or file the rough spots anymore. Just the toes, m'am, just the toes.

The place I go to calls it a "mini-pedi", and they charge $10. Not bad (for them) considering I''m only in there for 15 minutes and bring my own polish. But, they look nice.

BJ

Don't shave your legs the day of.

Most podiatrists do nail trims and other common things, and it's covered by Medicare, I think.

I have had regular pedicures for the past 15 years or so, it feels so good! Do make sure that they clean the tubs after each client, and that they sterilize their equipment. Each regular client has their own equipment at the shop I frequent. I had never thought of the polish, I usually do take my own color but not the Nailtiques or top coat.

I pay the same as Glenda.
The shop I go to is owned by a Korean woman, who is an absolute bear about obeying the laws and cleanliness.
The Nail Spa always looks like it was just redecorated, it's that clean looking (and smelling).
She has citizenship or documentation for all her employees at hand and has their state certifications on the wall.

I once went to a podiatrist for an ingrown toenail....and got a fungus from it. Dr's office's are often nowhere as clean/sterile as a good nail salon...i've heard my case is not unusual.

Keep in mind that people can still lie about what they clean and what they don't... If you call and ask if they sterilize the equipment, I'm pretty sure they will tell you yes even if they don't. Also, it's probably hard for you to personally look for cleanliness. Most problems are invisible. I doubt swabbing a table or looking down a drain is going to be feasible.

My best advice would be to use an established company and an established "technician" (or whatever they are called). Ask for recommendations from your friends. Even a chain place might be good because they may be 'more' required and trained to follow the rules. I'd be leary of a new, private place.

I don't know how to get their health ratings, but if you can online, that would be a great idea.

And, think of it this way... You're taking a chance any time you do anything... I would bet odds are greater that you would die in a car accident driving to the salon than you would die from the pedicure itself.

I take my own tools. I recommend that.

Do any of your MD's get their nails done? Ask where they go.

Judy, the school uses metal tools. After having gotten infections in NJ and in Bakersfield when visiting, when I was in Galveston I checked their cleanliness first and was fine. Not all Asian places are bad, but the drop in places are the worst in my opinion. In Bakersfield the Asian drop in place called their DD to come in from home to do my pedicure. Turns out she was a high school student. You have to be 18 to get licensed. After getting an infected toe there, I filed a complaint with the state licensing bureau. I haven't had a pedicure this year.

I agree, if they do not do the procedure right they are not going to admit it. I have been told an extra precaution is not to shave your legs the day you go in because of nicks. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one, it's very difficult to cut my nails. I think I saw the lady open a new file when she did my feet. The place I go is Asian, it's a family business. I don't do the nail polish on my toes, no point in it, I don't wear sandels. My feet get cold even in the summer. I won't even do the nail polish on my hands anymore. I never wear it anyway.

This morning I stopped at two places, possibly at the opposite ends of the pricing. Both seemed to be very clean and have the bases covered.
The PRO place charges $35 to $51.
The school charges $15 to $19. They mentioned the fact that you will take the bottle of polish home, so that answers the re-using problem.

Both places are less than a mile from home.
DD is coming over this PM and we will decide. (actually I already know it is most likely the price that will rule)