A pedicure is a spa treatment to clean, trim, buff, scrub, sometimes paint, and just-plain pamper your toenails.
The benefits of pedicures:
- Infection detection
- Softer skin
- Stress relief
- Pampering yourself
- Keep your feet looking pretty
- Calluses control
- Nails trimmed
- Moisturized
- Deep relaxation
- Removing dead skin
- Foot and leg massages (stimulate circulation)
- Reduces anxiety
- Improves nail health
Types of pedicures:
- Basic pedicure includes soaking your feet, trimming, and filing your nails, pushing back, and cleaning your cuticles, and exfoliating and hydrating your feet.
- Mini pedicure, also known as express (if you are pressed for time), gives you many of the same treatments as a basic pedicure, but in a compressed timeframe.
- Spa pedicure, also known as deluxe pedicure, puts the emphasis on pampering. These vary, but in addition to a regular pedicure, a spa pedicure might come with a longer massage, a paraffin wax treatment, or a hot-stone treatment to ease muscle pain.
- Chocolate Pedicure starts with a foot bath in warm molten chocolate followed by exfoliating the feet with a cocoa scrub. After you scrub away your dry and rough skin, your feet will smell like an indulgent dessert. Your feet are then covered with a chocolate mask. The chocolate mask is extremely moisturizing with the chocolaty aroma of the mask acting as an instant mood booster and melting your stress away within minutes. Your feet are then massaged with a rich cocoa butter moisturizer applied before painting the nails with colors.
- The Fish pedicure, although popular in other parts of the world, can be difficult to get used to at first. You dip your feet into a bath containing special fish that feast on the dead skin cells on your feet. Although these fish are toothless and cannot bite you, this treatment may be difficult to get through if you have very ticklish feet. The result is softened, callous-free feet. Following the fish treatment, your pedicure will continue as usual.
- Athletic pedicures are a great solution if you are on your feet often, if you struggle with ingrown toenails or callouses, or if you put your feet through a beating with regular running or sports. Although this option is similar in many ways to the basic pedicure, some extra relaxation techniques and skin-soothing methods are used to rejuvenate your feet. For example, a peppermint foot scrub rejuvenates and cools your skin, while an extra-long foot massage relaxes tired muscles. In addition, your foot technician may spend extra time working on hardened callouses before applying your nail polish of choice.
- Waterless pedicures are applied once your nails are trimmed and filed. Your nail technician will then mist your feet with a special spray before wrapping them in towels and plastic wrap. This keeps the heat and moisture close to your skin to soften and moisturize your feet.
- French pedicure refers to the way your nail polish is applied following a basic or spa package. With a classic French pedicure, white polish is applied on the edge of your toenails before your nail technician coats each of your nails in a translucent nude or pink color.
The dangers of pedicures:
- Callus removers for some can be dangerous and go too deep for those with thin skin, wounds, diabetes, or poor circulation.
- Unsanitary foot tubs or whirlpool baths: one can come out with health issues from soaking in unsanitary foot tubs or basins.
- Ingrown nails often puncture the skin. It is best to see a podiatrist, since one could be exposed to abscesses or pus pockets.
- Cellulitis is a deadly bacterial skin infection that enters your skin through cuts or cracks in your skin. If your pedicurist accidentally cuts your cuticle or neighboring skin incorrectly, this open wound could be a new entry point for the bacteria.
- Close and personal environment: spa workers or customers can have the flu, colds, COVID-19, or any virus that spreads. Make sure they wear gloves and masks, wash their hands, and wipe down chairs. Make doubly sure their utensils are sanitized.
- Those with foot ulcers and vascular conditions should avoid pedicures. They are at greater risk and should see a medical professional ONLY!
- Do not shave your legs before pre-pedicure. Shaving your legs exposes the skin and creates minor cuts. If the foot tub is not properly sanitized this may cause an infection.
- Dirty tools: some salons do not properly wash or sanitize their tools. If you bring your own, you can be assured they are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
- Soaking: Avoid prolonged soaking, which leads to fluctuations in moisture balance, as well as fissuring, a known cause of cellulitis or deep-skin infection. This is especially true for patients who are prone to leg swelling.
- The jets in the whirlpool can harbor bacteria and fungus. Do not let them turn on the jet or bubbles.
- Avoid pedicure deals or discounted days. Because of crowding and rushing customers through, you may not get proper treatment. Spa workers tend to go too fast and do not use the best sanitation practices. They do not always take their time on your feet. An important part of pedicures is relaxation.You are paying for a service. There should be no shortcuts.
FYI:
If you have diabetes, let the tech know in advance; let them know to be gentle with your feet. It is best to see a medical podiatrist.
Never salon hop.
A manicure is the buffing and shaping of the fingernails and typically includes a fresh coat of nail polish. The technician will push back and trim the cuticles while buffing down any ridges leaving nails looking glossy and sleek even before the color is added.
The benefits of manicures:
- Increased circulation
- Stress release
- Keeps hands smooth and soft
- Relaxation and pampering
- Improves nails health
- Cleanliness and presentation
- Trending and in fashion nail colors
- Reduces the amount of dead skin build up
- Prevent hangnails
- Moisturized
Types of manicures:
- Basic manicure consists of clip and file your nails; clean and trim your cuticles if needed and paint your nails with any color you like (maybe a hand massage also).
- Spa manicure: includes all the steps of the basic manicure plus exfoliation scrub, longer massage, and hydration lotion or cream.
- French manicure describes the way the polish is applied.
- Hot oil manicure: best for dry hands. It entails soaking your hands in heated natural oils. Care is taken to ensure oils are not too hot to prevent scalding.
- Paraffin wax manicure: a lukewarm wax that you soak your hands in up to your wrist. They are then wrapped in a towel.
- Brazilian manicure focuses on the cuticles to expose the nail bed using a special Brazilian tool.
- 3D manicure is on a whole new level. Spa workers clip and file your nails, clean and trim your cuticles if needed, and paint your nails with any color you like.
- Acrylic manicure works by forming a hard layer over your own nails. It acts as a base for your actual nail.
- Hot stone manicure is great for expelling any tension in your hand muscles and helps you to de-stress and relax at the end of a super tough week.
- Mirror manicure involves applying some black nail polish as a base onto the nails, placing a clear topcoat over this, and then adding some mirror powder, which helps you achieve a chrome like reflective look. Lastly, a final topcoat is applied to produce a mirrored look on your nails so real, you can see your face in them.
- Shellac manicure is a combination of gel and normal nail polish. Shellac is known for its durability and the way it reduces the possibility of chipping.
- Reverse French manicure is basically the reverse of the French manicure you add the color to the base of the nail.
The dangers of manicures:
- Dirty tools (bring your own).
- Contaminated soaking dish. Bring your own.
- Sharing tools.
- The spread of bacteria.
- Dirty towels.
- Close and personal environment (the workers or customers can have the flu, cold, COVID-19 or any virus that spreads). Make sure they wear gloves and masks, wash their hands, wipe down chairs, and that their utensils are sanitized.
- Avoid manicure deals or discounted days. Because of crowding and rushing customers through, you may not get proper treatment. Spa workers tend to go too fast and do not use the best sanitation practices. They do not take their time on your feet; part of pedicures is relaxation that you paid for.
FYI:
Learn the proper procedures of manicure and pedicure, i.e. what tools are used and what for, what products are used. You will know if spa workers are cutting corners and you can call them out on it. You are paying for their services and there should be no shortcuts.
Bottom line:Nothing is wrong with pampering yourself but be safe about it. Pay attention to your surroundings. When entering salons, take note of cleanness, how they clean after each customer, the tools, etc. Chose a salon that takes pride in what they do and your health and safety. Also, never get a pedicure or manicure if you have any cuts, corns, wounds, scrapes, open sores, swollen feet, or hands. Seek medical attention right away.
In between services to keep you nails and toenails up try Essence Of Nature LLC Nails & Cuticle Rescue.
References:
https://www.thehealthy.com/foot-care/pedicure-dangers-that-could-land-you-in-the-er/
https://www.wellbuzz.com/dr-ozs-advice/dr-oz-nail-salon-dangers-of-manicures-pedicures-fungus-bacteria/
https://www.groupon.com/articles/what-is-a-manicure-guide
https://www.groupon.com/articles/what-is-a-pedicure-guide-to-cost-tips-and-types
https://www.salonrates.com/types-of-pedicures/
https://www.thehealthsite.com/beauty/try-a-delicious-chocolate-pedicure-for-soft-and-supple-feet-t0316-382985/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pedicure-health-risks_n_4992820
https://www.toolboxstudiosalon.com/5-reasons-you-may-need-a-manicure/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CA%20manicure%20is%20a%20beauty%20treatment%20for%20the,steps%20that%20results%20to%20clean%20and%20healthy%20hands.%E2%80%9D
https://www.bebeautiful.in/all-things-makeup/nails/5-manicures-millennials-are-loving
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4672596/Dermatologists-reveal-dangers-manicures.html