What is a pedicure? Pedicure is a therapeutic treatment for your feet that removes dead skin, softens hard skin, and shapes and treats your toenails. Consider it like getting your feet manicured!

I’ll describe what a pedicure is, the various types, what to anticipate, and what to do after a pedicure.

What Is A Pedicure?

A pedicure is a cosmetic procedure for the toenails and feet. There are many types of pedicures that range in method, but a classic or regular pedicure generally takes place in a nail salon rather than a spa. As the customer, you will sit in a comfortable chair and likely receive the following:

• A warm foot soak to help soften and relax the skin and toenails
• A foot scrub to remove calluses and flaky, dry foot skin — usually done with a pumice stone, foot file or another tool
• Moisturizer applied via a short foot and lower leg massage
• A careful trim and file of the toenails
• A nail cuticle treatment that includes the cuticles being pushed back and the application of nourishing cuticle oil
• Optional: The application of a basecoat polish, toenail polish and top coat polish, followed by a quick session under a nail dryer

Depending on your foot health and whether you choose to apply polish, a traditional pedicure can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.

Benefits Of Pedicure

Pedicures are a great way to ensure you look after your feet!

• A regular pedicure can support chiropody if you suffer from foot problems, such as: corns, calluses, and cracked soles. You might not require any additional treatment as a result of this.
• A pedicure can also help your posture — you naturally walk more comfortably on cared-for feet.
• Pedicures can also soothe and relax you when combined with other treatments. Once your pedicurist has massaged several softening and soothing creams into your feet, you may feel you are walking on air!

Different Types Of Pedicure

Pedicures vary depending on the spa and pedicurist, but you can usually find one perfect for you by the description on a spa menu.

• French pedicure: a classic which uses long-lasting nail varnish, whitens the tip and squares off your toenails
• Intensive paraffin wax pedicure: warm wax is rubbed into your nails, feet, and lower legs to moisturize and soften them
• Gel or Shellac pedicure: clear or coloured gel is bonded to your nails with UV light for a long-lasting glossy finish
• Luxury pedicure: a whole-foot treatment usually includes massage, softened paraffin wax and heated towels, or a wrap that warms and soothes your feet as well as softens and hydrates your nails.

What Does A Pedicure Feel Like?

When you’ve never had a pedicure before, it’s simple to picture a wide range of various tactile sensations. In particular, because while some people say the foot treatment is soothing, others claim it is strange and even ticklish. Each person responds to pedicures in a different way, but here’s the typical rollercoaster most people experience during a classic pedicure:

1. Warm and Friendly: The majority of salon staff will smile as they welcome you, ask you to select the color of your toenail polish (if toenail painting is desired), lead you to your chair, and offer you something to drink. The feeling of being pampered begins here.
2. Possibly Goosebumps: After your feet are placed in the warm water bath (the first step of any pedicure), you’ll probably feel incredibly at ease and tingly all over. You’ll likely feel almost sleepy after all of your stress and worries have dissipated at your feet.
3. The removal of dead skin and calluses with a pumice stone or foot file is going to be a little bit ticklish, no matter how cool you are with people touching your feet. Obviously, it feels good. But that tinge of itchiness is always present.
4. Unsure And Hesitant: You might feel the urge to pull your foot back when the pedicurist begins meticulously filing and clipping your toenails. The person in charge of your tootsies, however, is a skilled professional who regularly performs this type of hacking, so you can rest easy. Try to remember that any occasional discomfort now will be completely worth it in the end.
5. Happily Rested: The foot and leg massage that follows the moisturizing step of the pedicure is to die for. THIS is why people put themselves through the earlier “torture” of callus removal and nail trimming. Aaaaahhhhhh …
6. When you look down at your feet and feel insanely impressed, whether your treatment is complete or you decide to move on to toenail polishing, this is the point at which you will realize how well-worth it pedicures are. Your feet feel better than they ever have and are soft, clean, and have a smooth surface.

What To Expect From A Pedicure?

A traditional pedicure begins with a therapeutic foot bath or spa. The skin on your feet is softened by being cleansed and soaked in warm, fragrant water—it’s like having a mini-Jacuzzi for your feet.

An exfoliating rub will slough off dead skin with salts or minerals. Your pedicurist will also remove your cuticles and cut and shape your toenails.

Creams and aromatherapy oils are massaged into your feet to refresh and soften your skin. In order to make you feel more relaxed, many pedicurists will also massage your lower legs and possibly give you an acupressure or reflexology-based foot massage. Hot stones may be employed during some pedicures. Others make use of mud, wraps, and even algae. High quality toenail polish will be applied at the end of your pedicure.

Your feet will look and feel great after a professional pedicure. Show off your toes and make hasty promises to yourself about how much better you’ll take care of your feet in the future!

A pedicure will usually last between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the techniques involved. After that, give yourself some time to gradually stand up again.

What To Do After A Pedicure?

After receiving a pedicure, if you decided against having your toenails painted, you can put your shoes back on and carry on with your daily activities. However, if you decide to have your nails painted, you should wear flip-flops for at least a couple of hours to give your flawlessly painted toenails time to completely dry.

It’s perfectly acceptable to tip your pedicurist, so don’t be embarrassed about it. Simply adhere to this helpful tipping guide for pedicures so that you can leave the salon with a smile on your face.

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