WHAT IS PEDICURE?

The fatigued feet after day’s long workout need relaxation and the feet soothing techniques relieves weariness, tension and stress. If feet are relaxed, the whole body goes into an easy mode solacing the stiff muscles. Moreover, feet are considered the grid station of many human organs and relieving the feet means sending relaxing signals to the whole body.  

Pedicure is a combination of two Latin words as ‘pedis’ means foot and ‘cura’ stands for care or nurture. The feet can be described as the launching pad because on feet we go wherever we want so these are most used organs and hence require equal level of care and treatment or pedicure which helps the feet look pretty, clean and healthy. In the process, the nails are trimmed, shaped and buffed, the calluses are prevented and it keeps the feet skin smooth and silky. The massage relaxes the feet and legs of stress and tension.

BENEFITS OF PEDICURE

Pedicure improves blood circulation as it moisturizes feet with filing of nails          and massaging of the feet.

2. It ensures healthy and strong nails as it helps protect toe nails from fungal and other types of infections.
3. A good pedicure relieves of tension, lowers stress level and relaxes muscles and is highly beneficial for good mental and bodily health.
4. Pedicure moisturizes the feet which is necessary to prevent calluses.
5. Pedicure involves exfoliation of the feet which helps in removing the dead skin cells, calluses and dry patches.
6. A good pedicure provides relief in foot pain or discomfort.
7. Regular pedicure helps in detection of ailments like brittleness, splitting, peeling and early signs of corns, bunions and fungal infection.

The pedicure has many types and some of them are as under;

CLASSIC PEDICURE

Classic or basic pedicure is a routine procedure that leaves very positive effects on the feet as it involves soaking of the feet in the lukewarm water, scrubbing, and clipping and shaping of the nails and moisturizing of the feet with nail care, massage, nail polish removal, cuticle care, exfoliation and it usually ends up with polishing of the nails.

GEL PEDICURE

Gel pedicure resembles the manicure in many ways as it relates to clipping the nails, lightly soaking the feet, managing the cuticles, cleaning the feet thoroughly with callus treatment, scrub and massage of the feet. Afterwards, three layers of coats – base, secondary and top are applied and later, the coats are hardened by putting them under UV light. Gel pedicure is long lasting and beautiful but can be irritating and harsh on sensitive nails.

FRENCH PEDICURE

French pedicure lends elegance and uniqueness to the feet and is meant for special occasions. In the process of French pedicure, white stripes are added to the tip of the toes after doing classic pedicure and later, sheer nude or pink colour on the base of the nail is applied. It also involves treatment of cuticles and callouses. Afterwards white tips are fixed on the nails. The nail polish removal, cuticle and callous removal, scrub, massage and French polish application are performed in the French pedicure. It helps prevent nail fungus and other foot infections, keeps feet clean, attractive and well-cared-of and toenails appear natural and vibrant after French pedicure.

SPA PEDICURE

Spa pedicure is luxurious involving high level of professionalism as it leaves deepening effects of delight and satisfaction. It is longer in time than the regular pedicure as additional services are provided like foot soak, massage, exfoliation, hot towel rub, paraffin wax dip with cleansing of feet, cutting, filing, shaping of nails, cuticle care, moisturization and polish application.

PARAFFIN PEDICURE

Paraffin wax pedicure is beneficial for the feet as much as face mask is useful for the face. It is a type of treatment in which warm paraffin wax is used to soften dry skin, soothe sore muscles and joints and improve blood circulation in the feet. It has many features which are useful with regard to health and beauty as the warm wax serves the purpose of heat therapy to better feet health. The paraffin wax dips are highly hydrating as it opens pores and moisturization goes deep into the skin. The hardened paraffin wax is gently peeled off showing soft and silky feet. It also relieves cracked feet, swelling due to arthritis and its warmth soothes aches and reduces inflammation. Other than bodily relief, it also acts as a stress reliever.

MINI PEDICURE

In the time constraint and run off solution, mini pedicure is the best choice. It is a short form of the classic pedicure in which feet are soaked for a short time followed by a quick scrub then cuticle work is done and nails are shaped and buffed. At the end, the nails are polished. It is the best for the feet in between the full sessions.

• ATHLETIC PEDICURE

Athletic pedicure or sports pedicure is highly beneficial for the athletes, sportsmen or those who spend busy day with hectic physical and walking activity. This soothing and relaxing type of pedicure involves deep cleansing, exfoliation and revitalization of the feet through massage. It is like a spa day for the fatigued and achy feet as it relieves stress and tension and develops toenails.

• STONE PEDICURE

In stone pedicure, hot stone massage is performed on the legs and feet which not only relieves pain, ensures good and sound sleep but also makes the recipient feel rejuvenated and fresh. The hot stone is used to hit the pressure points of the legs and feet and this practice blows away tension. Moreover, certified organic products, nourishing oil, refining mask, therapeutic message, polish and exfoliation are used in this type of pedicure.

• CHOCOLATE PEDICURE

Chocolate is not merely meant to eat but has some other purposes such as pedicure. This type of pedicure is highly luxurious as one feels elated when one’s feet go deep down into the warm chocolate giving soothing effects. It involves a chocolate sugar scrub, a chocolate moisturizing lotion followed by cocooning layer of warm chocolate to nourish the feet showing silky and smooth skin.

• FISH PEDICURE

The fish pedicure as apparent from its name, is a treatment done by the fish as small fish called Garra rufa is used to nibble away at the dead skin on the feet. The feet are dipped in the basin of water filled with fish Garra rufa which is also called doctor fish because it removes the dead skin from the feet revealing smooth, callous-free skin and clean cuticles. The fish pedicure is popular in Turkey and Middle East because Garra rufa is native to these regions.

• MARGARITA PEDICURE

Margarita pedicure is really a fun and a relaxing experience as it involves a frothy margarita scented foot soak with moisturizing and softening components and lime essential oils. The margarita pedicure includes a lime-soaked foot soak, a salt scrub and a moisturizing massage.

• WATERLESS PEDICURE

Waterless pedicure involves all the procedures done in regular pedicure as only dipping feet in water is not required and the feet are softened by using the hot towels. The process involves trimming, filing and buffing the nails and scrubbing the feet among other things done in the classic pedicure.

n the nutshell, there is a whole world of pedicures with never-ending line of options ranging from professional pedicure to simple or classic one at home or the most luxurious to the simple techniques. However, it is a decided factor that the pedicure is the affluents’ cup of tea because the less privileged never think of going to the spas and beauty salons for the purpose. The best option is soaking of feet in lukewarm water mixed with a small amount of the salt. Afterwards the feet skin may be exfoliated with hands or a pumice.

FAQs (Frequent Asked Questions)