It's a delightful indulgence to head to the nail salon, but how can you be sure your pampering routine is safe? Former salon owner Nancy King has tips to make your mani/pedi the stress-free experience you deserve.

Get a recommendation for a good salon. "Ask your friends, ask people you know that have been going to a salon for a long time," Nancy suggests. "Ask them, 'Have you been going there long? Do they use good things? Would you recommend this to your own mother?'"

Make sure all manicure and pedicure tools are cleaned after use and kept in a clean place. "You need to see that they're using a liquid disinfectant," Nancy says. "When they pull them out, they should be clean."

Check for manufacturers labels for all products used. Salons may buy bulk sizes and store hand creams, cleaners and other lotions in smaller jars at the manicure stations, but they should make it clear what's in those containers. "They're supposed to keep that label around so that they can say, 'This is what's in here.'"

Look for a disposable foot file. "Pumice stones are not OK," Nancy says, "because they are difficult to clean." She suggests that you keep an eye out for salons using disposable foot files. And, she adds that razors should not be used on your feet for stubborn skin.

"Don't ever let anybody shave your feet or cut into you," she insists. "Razor blades don't beautify or enhance -- they slice. This is medical. Go to a doctor and get your feet cut. Don't go to a salon."

Don't shave your legs 24-hours before a pedicure. Broken skin could be susceptible to infection.

Given all of these concerns, Rachael asks, "Should you just go ahead and learn to do your own nails?"

Not so fast, says Nancy. Sanitary salons can be found at every price point, and there's a reason they are the pros. "You can't do anywhere near the job that a professional manicurist or pedicurist can do," she says. "There are a lot of safe services that happen every day where people don't get infections, but it's because the techs do the right things."