Pedicure: 14 Frequently Asked Questions About Pedicures

1. What is the difference between a manicure and a pedicure?

The first and foremost difference between the two is that a manicure is performed on the hands and a pedicure is performed on the feet. You can do either or both at home, or you can go to a spa or beauty salon for these special treatments.

The massaging and special care you will receive with either treatment helps improve circulation and reduce stress. Additionally, the nail and callus care that you will receive with a pedicure can help prevent serious problems such as ingrown toenails and more.

2. Is pedicure necessary?

While the main focus a manicure is beautification of the hands and nails, a pedicure offers many health benefits. Remember that your feet provide the support and foundation for your entire body, so it only makes good sense to take good care of them.

Soaking your feet in relaxing warm water, having them massaged, having calluses removed and the nails properly trimmed provides an array of benefits. The process is relaxing and can help you to walk, stand and generally get through your day comfortably and with ease.

3. What are the health benefits of pedicures?

In addition to stress reduction, regular pedicure treatments can help prevent excessively dry skin on the feet. Cracked dry skin is subject to infection. Good moisturising and regular attention to areas of stress on the feet can help prevent calluses.

Having callused, painful feet can have a negative impact on your gait. This can cause problems with body alignment and lead to complications such as backaches, neck aches and so on. Foot massage (which is an integral part of pedicures) helps improve circulation in the feet and lower legs.

4. How often should I have a pedicure?

It’s a good idea to get a pedicure every couple of weeks; however, if you are unable to do this strive to get a professional pedicure at least once a month. You can always treat yourself at home in between. This is especially easy to do if you have a good electric foot spa.

5. What is the difference between a pedicure and a spa pedicure?

Both involve shaping and trimming the nails and cuticles, sloughing the feet and massaging the feet and lower legs. With a spa pedicure, you get even more pampering services. For example, aromatherapy may be involved. You may soak your feet in milk ore cream to help exfoliate calluses. You may be offered a cup of tea or a glass of wine.

6. What is a fish pedicure?

Source: Flickr.com by Biały

This rather novel treatment involves placing your feet into a tank of small fish (carp or Garra Rufa fish) that will nibble the callused, dead skin away. Fish pedicure is banned in some US states on the basis that is may pose a health risk, but the UK Health Protection Agency confirmed the risk was very low.

7. What is a French pedicure?

A French pedicure is like a regular pedicure except that the crowning touch is the uniquely French application of the nail polish. First, a neutral translucent shade is applied to the entire nail. Next a pure white, thin line is applied along the tip. This gives the impression a very clean, healthy, uniform natural nails.

8. What is a Shellac pedicure?

You may sometimes hear shellac pedicures referred to as gel pedicures. These terms indicate the type of nail polish that is used. A lasting nail polish that is cured using a UV lamp can be called a shellac polish or a gel polish.

9. What is the best way to paint your toenails?

Start with clean dry nails that are properly trimmed and filed. Apply a base coat, which acts as a primer. It’s a good idea to use two coats. Wait until the first coat dries thoroughly before applying the second coat. After your base coat has dried completely, apply colour in thin coats allowing each coat to dry completely before adding more to intensify the colour.

Try to limit the number of strokes you take when you apply each coat. You should be able to cover each nail in three strokes or less. Keep cotton swabs, cotton balls and nail polish remover handy to clean up stray marks as you go. If your toes are close together or overlapped, it’s a good idea to use a toe separator.

10. What are the essential tools for a good home pedicure?

For a good home pedicure, you will need basic manicure tools such as nail clippers, cuticle nippers, orange wood sticks, a nail brush, a nail buffer and polisher and a cuticle pusher.

You will also need tools that are specific to the feet such as a pumice stone, a foot file, fine-grained toenail files an electric foot spa and foot ex-foliating lotion.

For polishing, you will need a set of toe separators, nail polish, polish remover, cotton balls and cotton swabs. Naturally, you will also need to have a towel handy.

11. Is pedicure safe?

Generally speaking, giving yourself a pedicure at home is safe as long as you know what you’re doing. Be sure to treat your feet gently and keep all of your tools and equipment completely clean and in good condition. Be sure the blades of any clipping and trimming equipment you use are sharp, and clean them after every use. Use disposable items such as emery boards only once and then throw them away.

When getting a pedicure at a salon or spa, make certain that the person performing the procedure is trained and qualified and that the establishment has all proper licensing and certification. Be sure that they completely sterilize all equipment between each use, and ask them not to use the bubbles in the foot baths. The reason for this is that the jets may harbour fungus and bacteria.

12. Can I get pedicures while pregnant?

It is safe to polish your toenails and your fingernails when you are pregnant. Be sure to only do so in well ventilated areas. A full pedicure can be very beneficial to you during pregnancy because it helps reduce stress and improves circulation in the feet and lower legs.

Especially true during the third trimester. While some people have expressed concerns about acupressure points in the feet that may induce labour, expert massage therapists say that there is no real need for concern in this regard.

13. Can you have a pedicure with a fungal nail infection?

It is possible to get a pedicure even when you have toenail fungus as long as you go to a salon that is properly equipped with sterilization tools and practices aggressive sanitation procedures.

You must be honest and upfront about your condition right from the start so that your nail technician will be able to take care of you properly.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to go to an establishment that offers laser nail fungus treatment. This type of treatment is very effective in getting rid of nail fungus.

14. Do men get pedicures?

Although many men may believe that pedicures are unnecessary and frivolous, the fact is there are many good reasons why men should get pedicures.

First of all, having a pedicure helps improve the health of your feet and your body over all. A thorough pedicure helps get rid of dirt under the toenails and exfoliates dead skin which can cause serious problems. Among these problems are offensive foot odour, cracked and dry skin and fungal infections.

Additionally, having nails regularly trimmed and shaped prevents the very painful problem of ingrown toenails. Having a pedicure can help a man look his best from head to toe because of the actual active treatment and because of the overall stress reducing properties a good pedicure provides.