Pedicuring Season

Now is the time for pedicure services to rise in salons, as women are excited about wearing their strappies, sandals and open toe heels. This is my favorite fashion season, though I do get a kick out of wearing my winter "Diva" boots.

So many of my customers, ask questions about how often to get a pedicure and what type of pedicure is best. In this article, I will describe the common pedicures and how often they should be performed. Additionally, I will shed light on the Do's and Don'ts of pedicures.

First things first, any pedicure will groom and clean toe-nails; from trimming, shaping, cleaning and polishing the toe-nails. A lotion may be applied to the foot and ankles and cuticle oil to the toes. I give a small foot and ankle massage with my basic pedicures, just to help my customers unwind and relax. A Spa pedicure involves treating the skin on the foot and legs (up to the knee only). This will involve ex foliating (gentle removal of dead skin) scrubs and lotions, followed by a full therapeutic massage to the legs (up to the knee only) with a blend of oils or massage lotion. Feet that incur damage like, callouses and corns (not bunions), should be treated with spa pedicuring services, so as to remove as much of the dead skin as possible.

NOTE: IN THE STATE OF OHIO IT IS ILLEGAL TO USE A CREDO BLADE IN A SALON, TO CUT OFF CALLOUSES OR DEAD SKIN. DO NOT ALLOW THIS TO BE DONE TO YOU. USING A SURGICAL BLADE IS AN ACT OF SURGERY AND NO NAIL TECHNICIAN OR COSMETOLOGY PROFESSIONAL ARE CERTIFIED IN SURGICAL PROCEDURES. ONE CUT TO YOUR FOOT WITH A RAZOR CAN BE FAR MORE COSTLY THAN JUST SAYING NO AND USING A MORE PROFESSIONAL TOOL.

I recommend a basic pedicure once per month or every four weeks. On average this kind of pedicure can cost anywhere between, $25 and $45. A Spa pedicure can be performed once every two months or as needed for skin removal. Some women like the relaxing and rejuvenating affects of the Spa pedicure, but it is not necessary for every pedicure. For example, the winter months have been rough and you have developed tough skin around your heels and callouses on the side of your feet or on the ball of your feet just below the toes, and your toe-nails are so long, you can be mistaken for a Hawk, if your shoes are off (a little joke for the light hearted). Your first service should be a spa pedicure.

After four weeks, you should return for another pedicure. At this point, you can decide whether your feet are still in post-spa pedicure condition or if further ex foliation is needed. If not, a basic pedicure is just fine. Spa pedicures can run from anywhere around $45 to $65. Finally, check on whether there are polish changes for the toes and if the cost is the same as for hands. Typically a polish change for the hands run about $10. I have charged $5 more for toes.

Aside from the overall pleasure most of us get from pedicures, the most important consideration is the health and comfort of our feet. If you are a post office worker, standing on your feet all day, with a painful corn, can make the hours tick by slower and slower. As athletes, pedicures should be a regular grooming service, like eating well. To run back and forth on the court or field, an athlete should maintain low trimmed toe-nails and healthy feet, free of fungus. Your speed will greatly improve, once the toe-nails stop rubbing at the front of your kleets and other athletes that share the shower won't be at risk of contracting the contagious athlete's foot fungus.

DO'S AND DONT'S OF PEDICURES

-NO RAZORS OR BLADES TO TRIM OFF CALLOUSES
-DO NOT SHAVE YOUR LEGS 24 HOURS BEFORE A PEDICURE
-ASK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT SERVICES AND WHAT IT INCLUDES
-ASK ABOUT AND LOOK FOR SIGNS OF SANITARY PRACTICES (washing hands, clean foot bath and disinfection procedures, clean tools)
-AVOID ADDING TOE NAIL TIPS AND ACRYLICS TO YOUR TOE NAILS. CRACKING ONE OF THOSE OR JAMMING THE NAIL, CAN CAUSE SERIOUS PAIN AND LONG LASTING DISCOMFORT

To top off a fresh and professional pedicure, ladies can add painted flowers, glitter or art to their toes. Men enjoy a nice spray down of peppermint oil and Witch-hazel.

Written by

Tiffany Hammond, L.N.T.M/I.C., B.A.
Cleveland, Ohio