Black Toenail After a Pedicure: Causes and Treatments

Getting a pedicure for many people can be a way to pamper themselves or to practice self-care. Unfortunately, sometimes a pedicure, even with good intentions can cause problems. One of the problems that can be seen after a pedicure is a black toenail.

Reasons Why Your Toenail Is Black After A Pedicure

1. Blood under your toenail

The most common cause for a black toenail after a pedicure is blood under your toenail.

This is called a hematoma, or a subungal hematoma. A hematoma is bleeding somewhere inside of your body. For a black toenail, this bleeding happens under your nail. Even though the bleeding has long since stopped, and the blood is usually dry, the nail can look black, purple, or dark red.

The reason why blood pools underneath your nail is also a nail injury, also known as nail trauma. Unfortunately, if the nail tech was too aggressive during your pedicure, a black toenail can be seen after the fact.

How Long Will Blood Be Under My Toenail?

The answer for this depends on how severe the bleeding was, and also how far back the black spot on your toenail is.

If this black spot is further back of your nail, it will take much longer for your nail to grow out. Blood stains toenails, so unfortunately the toenail will remain purple, black red, or yellow while it grows out, and new nail grows in.

Toenails also grow very slowly. For your body to replace a big toenail for example, from your cuticle to the tip of your nail, it can take 9 months to about one year.

How Do I Heal A Toenail Injury?

Many toenail injuries do not require any treatment, especially if the black part of your nail is small. If more than 1/2 of your nail is black, it is a good idea to see a foot doctor in your area.

At this visit, a foot doctor will be sure to do a thorough exam, and be sure that there aren't any other issues going on with your toe, like a cut or laceration to your nail bed, or a broken bone to your toe.

At times the foot doctor will recommend that this nail be removed, for your nail bed to be treated, and for a new toenail to grow in.

2. A nail infection

Unfortunately, many nail salons do not sterilize the instruments that they use on their clients. Because of this, the risk of catching a nail fungus or bacterial infection in your nail from many of these salons is much higher.

To be sure that a black spot on the nail is fungus or bacteria, a sample of your nail will be taken by your foot doctor and sent to a lab, to see what grows. Once your foot doctor has the results, treatment can begin.

Treatment can include medicines to take by mouth,or even laser therapy if this black spot is caused by nail fungus, to clear the infection.

Before & after with Keryflex Nail Restoration

How long it can take to treat nail fungus or a bacterial infection of your toenail again depends on how severe the infection is, but expect anywhere from 6-18 months for the nail to be clear again. While the infection is being treated, a temporary cosmetic of your toenail, called Keryflex to be applied to give the look of a healthy toenail immediately.

3. Melanoma

While most black toenails after a pedicure are caused by bruising or fungus, it’s important to know about a rare but serious condition: subungual melanoma. This is a type of skin cancer that develops under the nail. It often appears as:

• A dark streak or stripe that runs vertically along the nail

• Pigmentation that spreads onto the surrounding skin (cuticle or nail fold)

• A spot that doesn’t move or grow out with the nail over time

Because subungual melanoma can look similar to a bruise or fungal infection in the early stages, it’s important not to ignore a nail discoloration that doesn’t improve.

When to Seek Immediate Care

Not every black toenail is an emergency, but you should see a podiatrist right away if you notice:

• Severe pain, swelling, or throbbing under the nail

• Bleeding or pus coming from the nail

• A dark spot that keeps growing, changing shape, or spreading onto the skin

• A nail that repeatedly bruises after pedicures, even when you’re careful

• Discoloration that lasts longer than 4–6 weeks without improvement

Getting a professional evaluation can give you peace of mind—and if treatment is needed, starting early leads to better results.

Key Takeaways

While many black toenails after pedicures are harmless and fade with time, some require closer attention—especially if the discoloration doesn’t improve or keeps spreading. The safest step is to have it professionally evaluated. With the right care, you can find out whether it’s just a bruise, a fungal infection, or something that needs immediate treatment—and take action quickly for your peace of mind.

Schedule Your Appointment At Direct Podiatry Arizona

Are you looking for a podiatrist in Phoenix for a black toenail after a pedicure? My name is Dr. Tarr, and I am the owner of Direct Podiatry Arizona in Tempe. To learn about your treatment options from laser therapy for toenail fungus, Keryflex, and more, feel free to book a free 15-minute consultation here.