The Gross Reason You Should Never Shave Your Legs Before a Pedicure

Shaving your legs before a pedicure seems like a no-brainer. But what may seem like a simple act of hygiene (and courtesy) could actually be setting you up for a nasty infection, according to Georgia-based dermatologist and American Academy of Dermatology fellow Dr. Lauren Ploch.

“Shaving the legs may cause microfissures (like tiny nicks) in the skin, increasing your risk of infection after the pedicure,” Ploch explains.

If bacteria, fungi, or viruses are lurking in an improperly cleaned pedicure tub, Ploch says, they can “take advantage of breaks in our skin barrier” and result in an infection. Worst-case scenario, she says, is that you may end up with a bacterial infection, such as one caused by staphylococcus aureus—which, if not treated with antibiotics, penetrates deep into the skin and finds its way into the bloodstream.

Get our Health Newsletter. Sign up to receive the latest health and science news, plus answers to wellness questions and expert tips.

Please enter a valid email address.

* The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. Please attempt to sign up again.

Sign Up Now

An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Please try again later.

Check here if you would like to receive subscription offers and other promotions via email from TIME group companies.

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Thank you!

For your security, we've sent a confirmation email to the address you entered. Click the link to confirm your subscription and begin receiving our newsletters. If you don't get the confirmation within 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.

Most spa-related infections, however, would be relatively minor if treated early, she says.

Still, “the scary part,” Ploch says, is that you can’t always tell if your salon is cleaning its equipment well. “A basin may look perfectly clean, but it may harbor bacteria, fungi, and viruses,” she says.

To play it safe, both Ploch and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend simply waiting to shave your legs until after your pedicure. You should also stay away from the spa if you have a blister or other broken skin on your feet or lower legs, Ploch says. “I recommend waiting until the skin has healed completely (one to two weeks) or doing a pedicure at home,” Ploch adds.

This article originally appeared on InStyle.com

Contact us at letters@time.com.