Nail grooming is no longer a luxury, but now a necessity. Getting your nails cleaned, trimmed, buffed, scrubbed, and painted may seem like too much of a pampering. But hey, you deserve it! Your hands and feet are among the overworked parts of your body. It’s only right to care for them regularly.

When it comes to nail grooming, you’ve got two choices: a manicure or a pedicure. A manicure service will get your hands relaxed with a massage and your fingernails spoiled with your choice of nail polish. A pedicure service is similar, only designed to care for your toenails. Here’s more about it:

What is a pedicure?

Simply defined, a pedicure is a full treatment for one’s feet and toenails. This service may include a foot spa, massage, and scrub, along with toenail cuticle removal, cutting, shaping, and buffing. There are many ways to provide a pedicure so it’s important for you to choose the right spa or salon to get the best pedicure service. It is best to go to a salon that can do everything, including nail art and nail extension, in case you decide to have them done too.

What are the benefits of a pedicure?

A pedicure service has several benefits, which is why some people make it a part of their regular therapeutic care rather than treating it as a purely cosmetic service. Going for a pedicure regularly will let you enjoy the following:

• It can serve as supplemental care for people suffering from foot problems such as cracked soles, corns, and calluses
• It offers stress relief as provided by its soothing and relaxing treatments
• It keeps your feet healthy as your skin feels softer, and your feet less sore from walking or standing
• It can help in the early detection of infections caused by bunions or fungal infections
• Pedicure nail arts can get your toenails looking glamorous for special occasions

How often do you get a pedicure?

A standard pedicure treatment with nail polish will last for 1 - 3 weeks. But that will still depend on what type of pedicure treatment you got and how well you took care of your feet after leaving the salon. Gel pedicures may last between 2 and 4 weeks. You may get another pedicure as soon as the nail polish has chipped or every four to six weeks.

Be sure to care for your toenails after getting a pedicure to maximise the lifespan of the nail polish. Wear flip-flops or open-toed sandals instead of closed shoes when going to the salon to ensure that the polish gets to dry fully.

What to expect from a pedicure?

Each salon may follow its procedures when providing a pedicure service to their clients. A pedicure service may last for anywhere from 30 minutes to a full hour. Generally, here are the things that you should expect from it if you decide to get the full service.

• Foot spa – your feet will be soaked in warm water. It’s like giving your feet a bath in a small Jacuzzi where your feet will be cleansed and softened with scented water
• Exfoliating scrub – your feet will get a good scrub using special salts and minerals to remove dead skin cells.
• Foot massage – this is an optional service where the aesthetician will give you either reflexology or acupressure-based massage to relax your feet. Special oils and creams may also be used.
• Nail polish – upon request, you can get your cuticles removed and your toenails cut and shaped. Additionally, you may get your toenails painted with the polish of your choice. 

How much does a pedicure cost?

The cost of a pedicure will depend on the services that you would like to include, as well as the type of nail polish you want to use. A regular pedicure service without gel polish may cost between $45 and $55. The one that includes the application of gel polish could go anywhere from $55 to $70.

Salons may charge higher or lower, but it should be commensurate with the level of service that you’re getting. Go to a salon where you feel warm, comfortable, and welcomed. Remember that it should be a place where you can just relax and while your stress away.

Different kinds of pedicure

Different kinds of pedicures provide you with benefits that match your needs. You’re free to decide which type to get to enjoy maximum pampering for your time and money. Just don’t forget to ask what the entire service includes. Some of your choices are:

• Gel pedicure – this is the most popular type of pedicure service these days. It uses a gel nail polish and a special UV lamp to make sure that the polish will last for two to four weeks.
• Shellac pedicure – this one is like a gel pedicure when it comes to benefits and application process. The only difference is the type of nail polish used.
• French pedicure – for this type, you’ll get your toenails cut and shaped like a square then only the tip will be painted white.
• Spa pedicure – this is the term normally used for a full-service pedicure. It means you’ll enjoy all the bells and whistles, plus other special services such as paraffin wax and hot stone treatments, among others.
• Special pedicure – for this type, there are certain elements that make the pedicure exceptional. A good example is Chocolate Pedicure, which uses warm chocolate for the foot bath and cocoa as the scrub.

Can men get pedicures too?

Absolutely! There are pedicure treatments specially created for men. It may or may not include the application of a transparent nail polish, which would be solely at the client’s discretion. The service will most likely include a massage and other health-related foot care routines.

Podiatrists recommend that men get pedicures regularly, particularly those who lead a very active lifestyle. Doing so will help maintain the health of their foot, and possibly prevent the occurrence of pain that is associated with ingrown toenails, heel fissures, and calluses.

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