Our feet are one of the most overworked and under-appreciated parts of the human body and though we use them every single day of our lives, many of us forget to take care of them.
One of the most affordable and easiest ways to give your feet some tender love and care is by treating yourself to a pedicure. We have written this article to tell you a little more about what a pedicure is and how often you really should get one.
We also include how much a pedicure will cost you, what it incorporates and how it can benefit you in the long run. So what are you waiting for? Let’s jump right in!
The Pedicure
Let’s start by taking a look at what the pedicure is. It is a cosmetic spa treatment that targets the feet and toenails. It is used as a form of foot therapy and cares for both the skin and the nails on the foot.
It usually involves cleaning the foot thoroughly, followed by exfoliating and moisturizing the skin, then cutting down the cuticle and trimming the nails. A foot massage is also offered and you can get your nails beautifully painted at the end.
The origin of the pedicure comes from the Latin name, Pedi. This means ‘of the foot’. It then is combined with the word Cura, which means ‘care’. The treatment is designed to give health benefits to the foot as well as relax the whole body.
They have been around since ancient times and date back to 2300 B.C. in Ancient Egypt. In the last couple of decades, they have soared in popularity and with all the benefits they provide, it’s no wonder why.
The Pedicure Process
Wherever you decide to go for your pedicure, you will find the process is similar at each spa. You always start by a relaxing soak in warm water filled with delightful oils, soaps, and moisturizers that feel like heaven!
We promise it’s like a mini bubble bath for your feet.
After your soak, your pedicure specialist will start scrubbing away all the dead skin on your foot using an exfoliation tool before clipping and shaping the nails.
You might also find they will give your foot and lower leg a massage and this is finished with them moisturizing the lower legs and feet, and adding some nail polish if that is something you were interested in.
Some places offer you the chance to sit in a chair with a relaxing automatic massage running in the background too.
After you have soaked your feet for 10-15 minutes, your specialist will help you remove your feet and dry them thoroughly. Thye will then trim your cuticle, calluses, and toenails.
If you have not heard of the term, calluses before, they are rough skin that grows on the heels and soles of your feet.
If you are an athlete, you may have slightly more calluses than others and though it is natural and not harmful, you will be able to feel a difference after you get them removed.
Your feet will automatically feel a lot more soft and silky and many only notice this after crawling into bed and feeling the soft sheets on their feet.
The Pedicure Vs The Manicure
Though they may sound the same, these two treatments are very different. The pedicure focuses only on the feet, whereas a manicure focuses on the hands.
Some people like to book both treatments at the same appointment for the ultimate spa day that will guarantee to relax and rejuvenate you.
It’s also a good idea to schedule them for the same appointment if you are going on vacation or have a big event coming up you want to look your best in!
Some people prefer pedicures over manicures however as they are easier to maintain. Shoes and socks keep your feet protected and so unless you are running a marathon every day, your pedicure should last a lot longer than your manicure.
The Cost Of A Pedicure
Across the country, the prices of pedicures range. However, you usually find you pay around 25-35 dollars.
If you want extra services at your treatment, you might end up paying slightly more, but if you are worried about extra costs or how much the whole treatment will put you out of pocket, simply check the salon’s website for their updated list of prices.
This is also good practice to check out competitors and get the best deal! Don’t forget to ask about discounts for students or military/public service.
When it comes to tipping, 15-20 percent is usually customary but if you have had outstanding service, you could even give slightly more than this to show them how satisfied you are and how pleased you are with the service.
When Should You Get A Pedicure?
Here is the question you’ve been waiting for. With pedicures being so affordable, relaxing, and beneficial, we know after your first one, you’ll only want to keep going back for more. But it is important to only get them when you need them.
Everyone will have to wait different times between getting pedicures, depending on lifestyle and body type, but generally, you should aim to get a pedicure at least once a month.
However, if you want to prevent ingrown toenails, it might even be an idea to stick to bi-monthly pedicures.
If you are trying to budget, you could try giving yourself a pedicure at home after visiting the salon a few times first.
Or even have one professionally, and then one at home and alternate between this every month so you are saving dollars but still getting that professional treatment when you need it.
Will A Pedicure Last Long?
Similar to how the waiting times between pedicures differ between each person, how long it will last also differs depending on the person’s preferences and lifestyle.
If you get a good quality pedicure for a pedicure specialist, you should expect it to last at least 2-4 weeks, but there are ways to extend how long your pedicure lasts.
Nail varnish takes 12-24 hours to completely harden after application so be careful with this and follow the following steps to prolong the life of your pedicure, as well as get the most out of your pedicure treatment.
Bring flip flops to wear after your pedicure as they are easy to slip on. If you forget and you have had your toenails painted, some technicians carry cheap flip flops and they can send you on your way with a pair of disposables.
If your toes are still drying, be cautious when you climb in your car to drive home.
Avoid showering, swimming, or saunas right after your pedicure, especially if you have nail varnish. If you do go swimming, rinse off the chlorine immediately afterward, and don’t forget to moisturize! This is because chlorine dries out your skin and ruins your pedicure pretty quickly.
Apply a top coat of nail varnish for extra protection and don’t forget to apply cuticle oil. Dry cuticles can lead your nail polish to crack.
Schedule your pedicure when you are off work. This means you don’t have to worry about not making your appointment because of work, or canceling if you need to work late.
If you don’t feel like chatting to your pedicure specialist, take something to entertain you like a phone, earphones, a book, or a friend to chat with. If not, you can simply close your eyes and feel the relaxation take over.
Benefits Of Pedicures
If we’ve not yet convinced you to get a pedicure yet, you might be wondering what all the extra benefits are.
First of all, they can help identify multiple health issues in your feet. Your pedicure specialist will be able to identify these problems and tell you about treatment for them right away.
They could be as minor as warts or more life-threatening like melanoma. Someone working with feet every day of their lives sees these issues often and therefore they can spot them easily and help you bring your foot back to health again.
Moreover, the pedicure itself can promote better health. The feet are a pathway to remove toxins out of the body after being soaked deep in water. Soaking the feet promotes blood circulation and gets rid of pathogenic energy in the body.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the human foot is compared to the root of a tree. When they are not cared for, the rest of the tree suffers from poor health. Moreover, having a pedicure regularly helps keep your nails healthier in the long term.
It reduces the chances of ingrown toenails, infections, or fungus. Healthier feet will also mean you’ll have better posture and be able to walk better with fresh feet.
Not only will you have healthier feet, but they’ll also look better. You’ll be confident enough to wear open-toed shoes with that new nail polish, perfect nails, and moisturized skin.
The moisturizers used in a pedicure will leave your skin looking and feeling super silky when wearing shoes again.
If the feet’ benefits aren’t enough, a pedicure is also a chance to completely de-stress and relax. Taking time out of our workday and busy schedule for a pedicure is a great way to reset your mind and calm your body down.
Ingrown Toenails And Pedicures
Pedicures are a great way to prevent ingrown toenails. To prevent ingrown toenails, however, you should make sure you get a bi-monthly pedicure if you are prone to them.
This means you will be getting a pedicure every 2 weeks and will ensure your feet are getting cared for as they should.
If you’re unfamiliar with what an ingrown toenail is, simply it is one of the most common toenail problems people suffer with. It can cause unbearable pain, bad infections, and sometimes results in the whole toenail being removed.
It usually happens when the toenail grows downward and into the skin again. It’s common to happen to the big toe and when the skin integrity is compromised, people then suffer from infection too.
Ingrown toenails can be caused by a range of different factors. They include:
Cutting the nail at an angle
Tight shoes or tight stockings – this is especially common with narrow high heeled shoes or running shoes that don’t fit properly
Cutting your nails too short
Genetics
Too much running
Too much activity that is weight-bearing
Being overweight or obese
The removal process of an infected toenail can be painful and though the medical professional tries to administer a lidocaine shot to the toe to stop nerve pain, this sometimes is not as effective as promised and means the patient undergoes a significant amount of pain.
This is what makes pedicures therefore even more important!
When To Avoid Getting A Pedicure
As with all treatments, there are times where you might have to cancel your pedicure appointment and sometimes seek medical attention. If you have any of the following conditions, avoid the salon for a bit and make sure you get treated.
Eczema
Toenail color change
Painful warts or bumps on your foot
Blisters
Psoriasis
Wounds to the foot
Recent surgery
Fungi like Athlete’s foot
Broken bones in your foot
Diabetes or similar immune-compromising disorders
You will also want to reschedule your pedicure appointment if you have recently got a new tattoo or you have shaved, had laser hair removal, or waxed your feet on the same day as your appointment.
When you get to your appointment, you also need to check your pedicure specialist is sterilizing their tools. You can ask the specialist yourself or check the salon website for this.
If you want to play it safe, you can bring your own tools but check your salon allows this first.
You also need to keep an eye on your specialist’s preparation.
They need to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water or change their gloves before they begin any kind of treatment on you as the previous customer could have had something contagious on their feet.
It is good practice to research the salon you are heading to before you turn up to your appointment and read some reviews to make sure you are going somewhere professional and hygienic. Remember, the cheapest option is not always the best option.
Your feet deserve the best, so sometimes it’s better to spend a little extra money to get customer satisfaction and a high-quality pedicure.
Different Types Of Pedicures
We now know all you need to know about your standard pedicure, but what if you wanted something different? A unique experience? Or something to shake things up slightly? Luckily, a lot of salons can now offer you this from double pedicures to fish pedicures.
What Is A Double Pedicure?
A double pedicure is exactly what it sounds like. Simply taking your partner, or your bestie along to your appointment with you and having a double relaxation date. It’s a great way to spend time with loved ones and do something that you will both enjoy!
Make sure you call your salon to check this an option and that they have the capacity to treat you together at the same time.
A lot of places offer this type of treatment so it’s worth checking out. Some places even offer 2 for 1 deal so you can relax with a loved one whilst also saving money.
What Is A Fish Pedicure?
A fish pedicure is a unique pedicure experience that has soared in popularity over recent years. It might sound a little weird, but we promise it will leave your feet feeling smoother and silkier than ever before.
Fish pedicures involve hundreds of toothless carp fish called Garra Rufa. They are sometimes known as ‘doctor fish’, but don’t worry, we promise they’re tiny!
They are also more than happy to remove any dead skin from your feet by simply nibbling it away in a pain-free, unique whilst still relaxing experience.
After the fish have finished nibbling, normal pedicure steps will resume. It usually takes around 15-30 minutes for them to finish and then your pedicure specialist will take over.
The procedure is said to have originated in North America and Europe over the last decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Should A Pedicure Treatment Last?
The entire pedicure treatment usually only takes around 45 minutes to an hour and is therefore manageable to book after work one night, or even during your lunch break.
If you want extra treatments such as gel polish, hot stones, paraffin wax, salt scrubs, reflexology, or aromatherapy, this will take a lot longer, so bear this in mind.
Can Men Get Pedicures Too?
We’re smashing stereotypes with the answer to this question and telling you of course you can be a man and get a pedicure- they are not just for women! It’s not only acceptable for a man to get a pedicure, but it is also highly appropriate.
Men work their feet just as much as women and nail salons encourage men to get pedicures, just as much as women. There are even plenty of male nail technicians.
Like women, men should get pedicures at least once a month and everyone regardless of gender deserves to be pampered once in a while.
What Equipment Do I Need for an At-Home Pedicure?
If you are on a budget and want to create that salon-style pedicure at home, you need to make sure you have the right equipment.
This means you need to be equipped with a nail polish remover, an emery board, a nail buffer, nail clippers, cotton pads, a cuticle pusher, a foot file, a basin, foot cream, a pumice stone, a base coat of nail polish, nail polish, toe separators, and a high-quality clear topcoat.
We know this sounds expensive at first, but if you are committed to at-home pedicures, it will be an investment, and you are still able to treat yourself to a professional pedicure every so often to remind you of the basics and change things up a bit.
Final Thoughts
We hope by reading this article, you have learned a little more about pedicures, how long they last, how often you should get one, how much they cost, and why they are so beneficial!
Your feet carry you around every day and it is important to take care of them because of this.
Make sure you choose the right place to get your pedicure to get the most out of your treatment and if you’ve got a big event or birthday party coming up, this could be the perfect time to relax and prep for it at the same time.
You could even get a gift certificate for that friend or family member for their birthday whilst you’re there to share the experience and give them a little treat of their own. Now get those flip flops on and head to your nearest salon now!
Hi, my name is Miranda Cole, and I’ve been working in the makeup industry for the last 10 years. I began my journey as a beautician, and now I specialize in both makeup and hair.
Over the last 10 years, I have watched as the latest trends change, and have seen the evolution of beauty and makeup in particular. As a result of this, I have a good knowledge of different makeup products, and hairstyles that will suit specific complexions or face shapes.
I want Fabulyst to be an extension of my day job, so that I can help educate others on everything they need to know about fashion and beauty. From the latest style pieces to wear, to the best hairstyles, I will be covering everything there is to know.
