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Health

The most popular types of pedicures

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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There are many types of pedicures that serve to clean and beautify the nails. A pedicure often includes cuticle care as well as nail painting. It usually gives a woman or man a feeling of relaxation and attractiveness. This type of treatment and care for the feet and nails can take up to two hours, while a mini pedicure usually lasts about 30 minutes. Many people order a mini pedicure as part of their regular foot care. What is it and what other types of pedicures are there?

Mini Pedicure

The cleansing portion of a mini pedicure usually involves soaking the feet in a small pool or tub filled with warm water to soften the skin of the feet and nails. Most often, this involves a small scrub brush, soap, and essential oils. Once the feet and nails have softened, the feet are dried with a towel and old polish is removed. The nails are then trimmed and filed into shape. The cuticles are usually pushed back with a cuticle stick.

Sometimes, feet are treated with salt or a special scrub. In professional salons, feet are usually wrapped in warm towels for five to 10 minutes during the pedicure procedure. The next step in a mini pedicure is to moisturize the feet with lotion and apply varnish. A base coat and two layers of colored varnish are usually applied to prevent the varnish from chipping. Once the varnish has dried, the mini pedicure is complete.

Peculiarities

Mini pedicures can be done professionally or at home and are often less expensive than a standard pedicure. A standard pedicure usually lasts longer – up to two hours – and involves a half-hour massage of the calves and feet. Some spa pedicures include foot masks with mud or clay inserted into the calves and feet. Spa pedicures may also include hair removal from the lower legs. Other pedicures involve soaking the feet in paraffin, or the technician may wrap them in plastic bags to further soften the feet. Many pedicure techniques may involve reflexology acupressure, which is a technique that involves applying pressure to points thought to be associated with specific organs.

A pedicure can help heal damage caused by walking, standing, and wearing poorly fitting shoes.

Both men and women sometimes need this type of treatment, as it usually provides quick, effective relief from tired and sore feet. The average cost of a mini pedicure ranges from $15 to $50.

Unusual types of pedicure

Some pedicure treatments involve covering the feet with melted wax, while others include massages with oils and hot stone massages (stone therapy). People can also opt for a French pedicure, a fish pedicure, a French pedicure, a Japanese pedicure, or chocolate or wine for healthy feet. A hygienic regular pedicure is one of the most common types. It usually involves soaking the feet in warm, scented water for a period of time. The technician then works to remove calluses and corns with a pumice stone, and the nails are trimmed and painted. Moisturizer is usually applied during the foot massage, and nail polish is then applied.

Pedicure with paraffin

There are also very effective paraffin pedicure procedures, during which paraffin is applied to the feet to moisturize the skin. Paraffin is usually applied after the feet have been washed and polished with pumice. If the pedicure includes subsequent application of varnish, this will be done after the paraffin application and nail treatment.

Before the wax is applied to the feet, it is heated in a small tub. This way, the wax is in a liquid state when it is applied to the feet. Each spa has variations of the pedicure that uses the wax. This method of moisturizing the feet is the most common, the feet are dipped in a tub of wax two or three times, then wrapped in a plastic bag or plastic.

Peculiarities

When wax is used for a pedicure, it is kept warm for up to five minutes. When feet are wrapped in warm cotton towels or special shoes, this allows the wax to retain heat for a longer period of time, which moisturizes the feet and cuticles better. Essential oils or special soothing aromas are then used, which makes the pedicure more enjoyable.

For people who have chronically dry skin on their feet, paraffin wax treatments during a pedicure can be an effective aid. The moisturizing properties of the wax and the heat will help soften and improve the skin on your feet, especially in areas with tough, calloused skin. Paraffin wax pedicures can also help people who suffer from cracked skin on their feet, most common in the area where they wear heels. In cold weather, wearing warm shoes often leads to excessively dry skin, and in spas, paraffin wax treatments help to moisturize the skin during the winter months.

Paraffin pedicures are often more expensive than traditional pedicures. This is because the treatment takes longer and requires additional equipment. Some people who enjoy paraffin treatments but don’t like spending a lot of money on spa treatments may purchase paraffin wax and paraffin heaters to enjoy a special moisturizing pedicure at home.

How to do a paraffin pedicure

During a paraffin pedicure, the feet are covered in several layers of melted paraffin, followed by a thick, nourishing cream. The feet can either be dipped into the wax, or the wax can be brushed onto the feet. Once the wax dries, it is peeled off the feet. Paraffin pedicures are known for being very moisturizing, and people with very dry skin on their feet will find that they are very quickly restored to normal levels of moisture.

Professional pedicure

Women are the most frequent customers for professional pedicures, but many men get pedicures too, just without polish. However, anyone who wants to have their toenails painted is free to choose the type or color; most salons have hundreds of different options to choose from. The most elegant and common option is the French pedicure, where the tips of the toenails are painted bright white and the nail bed is a pink polish. Nail technicians can paint individual images or patterns on the nails either freehand or with an airbrush, which would be quite difficult to do yourself.

If all this is done correctly, a professional pedicure makes your feet very beautiful and well-groomed.

In addition to these benefits, a professional pedicure provides time for rest and relaxation. It usually takes about 45 minutes, perhaps a little longer depending on other services performed by the technician, and gives the client time to simply rest and relax. Massaging the active points on the feet helps relieve stress. For many people, a regular professional pedicure can be a big expense. Therefore, women and men may choose to have such a pedicure a few times a year or on special occasions; others still do it on a regular basis. Generally, the effects of a professional pedicure will last about a month.

Electric or hardware pedicure

This type of pedicure uses electric tools that are purchased specifically to make pedicure tasks easier. These methods can be used by professionals in a spa or for home use. The kit contains a tool with various replaceable attachments that perform specific functions during the pedicure process.

Polishing and cutting discs-applications for electric tools, special cones, including sapphire ones, for filing off parts of the nail, attachments for caring for the outer skin of the legs or hands are used.

These kits typically have safety features such as automatic shut-off if the user presses too hard on the skin or nail.

After trimming and shaping the nails with a disk, a woman can apply a moisturizing nail cream to soften the cuticles. She may want to trim the cuticles with a disk, gently removing rough cuticles on the nails. Depending on the type of nails, a woman may want to use different tools to shape or smooth the nails. Special attachments can help remove cuticles or dead skin while shaping the nail, as long as the woman does not press too hard with the tool.

Before applying nail polish, a woman can use a soft brush to smooth the edges of her toenails. She can then use a buffing tool to add a natural shine to the top of each nail. Buffering the nail helps smooth out its surface, and works especially well after smoothing the nails with a trimming disc.

At the end of the procedure, the woman can wipe the toenails with a damp washcloth to make the surface clean and apply a base coat of polish. She then continues with her pedicure as she normally would, painting the nails and adding a top coat of polish after the base coat has dried. The woman may wish to leave the nails bare or simply apply a clear polish to protect the nails and add shine.

Hardware pedicure and attachments for it are usually sold in a set with various attachments and may include other tools, such as nail clippers or polishing cream.

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French pedicure

French pedicures are also a very popular procedure. They are usually very similar to a regular pedicure, except for the polish and a special color of the nails. Typically, the nails will be either red with white tips, pink with white tips, or white with red tips. The nails are then coated with a clear polish.

A French pedicure is very similar to a French manicure. The only difference is that this particular style is applied to toenails instead of fingernails. This type of pedicure involves covering the nails with two colors. The first color is neutral – a translucent polish that is applied in a peach tone. This first color is applied to the entire nail. The second color is pure white.

The key feature of a French manicure or pedicure is the application of white nail polish in a thin line at the top. This is usually the part of the nail that extends beyond the finger. Depending on the length of one nail, the width of the white stripe at the top will vary.

Peculiarities

Many women prefer a French pedicure at the beginning of the warm season, when their feet look beautiful in sandals and open-toed shoes. Other women maintain the tradition of a French pedicure throughout the year. A French pedicure, compared to a pedicure with brightly colored polish, looks more natural and neat.

In addition to a French pedicure, a number of other foot treatments may be performed. These may include skin polishing, callus removal, and calf massage during a pedicure. It may also include reflexology included in a spa pedicure. Some salons also offer paraffin treatments for clients who have particularly dry skin on their feet. A French pedicure at home is quite difficult. The main difficulty is getting a smooth white line at the top of each nail. There are several kits with tools for a home French pedicure that can be purchased in specialized stores. Home pedicure kits are a good choice for people who want a French pedicure but do not want to pay for a spa salon to perform the service.

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Fish pedicure

Fish pedicure

An unconventional form of pedicure involves treating your feet in a special aquarium full of fish. The traditional type of fish used for this purpose is the garra rufa, which lives in the rivers of the Middle East. These fish are sometimes called toothfish. The fish remove dry skin and dead skin cells from your feet. Many experts claim that these fish do wonders for people suffering from psoriasis and eczema. Fish pedicures are also becoming increasingly popular for those looking for a new approach to the delicate skin of their feet.

Pros and cons

Before attempting this type of pedicure, which as its name suggests is performed by hungry fish, it is useful to know its pros and cons. On the other hand, fans of fish pedicures believe that it leaves feet incredibly smooth, that it is safer than traditional pedicures, and can also be beneficial for those suffering from minor skin conditions, and that the action of a fish pedicure provides a relaxing feeling. Those who are not fans of this procedure claim that it can pose health risks. Although these fish are believed to have been used for centuries to treat skin conditions in countries such as Turkey, the concept of fish pedicures did not become accepted in Western countries until the early 2000s. During a fish pedicure session, fish remove dead skin cells from the feet for 15 to 20 minutes.

Peculiarities

But all the positive qualities attributed to fish disappear when fish pedicure tanks are not cleaned well enough. Critics of this method claim that fish pedicures in dirty tanks actually pose a greater risk of infections and skin diseases, especially if a person has wounds on their feet. In 2009 and 2010, 14 American states banned fish pedicures due to possible health risks.

Environmentalists also raise questions about the health of the fish used for this type of pedicure. In the wild, they explain, Garra rufa fish feed on dead skin only when normal food is not available. By feeding the fish only dead human cells, fish pedicure business owners are denying the fish proper nutrition. During the pedicure, the fish may also ingest toxic substances such as nail polish.

Mobile pedicure

Mobile pedicures are a great way to use professional techniques. Mobile pedicures typically offer the same services as salons, except that the client can receive these services at home or another designated location. Instead of the client going to the spa, the spa goes to the client. Services provided by mobile pedicurists include cutting and shaping nails, buffing them, using massage and foot cream. Mobile pedicures typically offer services that include the application and removal of acrylic nails and pedicures with different painting techniques.

Peculiarities

A mobile pedicure specialist can work with the same tools and materials that are used in a traditional salon. In addition, other factors such as the use of gasoline or gas for the car must be taken into account when forming the price.

Mobile pedicures have their pros and cons. Pros include that clients can book in at any time, even during lunch at the office, without having to spend part of their lunch break visiting the salon, while cons include the possible lack of a dedicated space and the inability to relax in a comfortable spa chair for a pedicure. Additionally, many clients may spend a minimum amount of time on a mobile pedicure, which does not allow for all the treatments that are available in a spa.

SPA pedicure

In most salons, a spa pedicure is a foot and toenail treatment that is typically the most expensive type of pedicure and includes additional services that are not included in a regular pedicure. A spa pedicure typically begins with a warm whirlpool bath. The foot baths are followed by a variety of spa services, including exfoliation, hot wraps, and massage. After these steps, a spa pedicure typically ends with a cuticle and toenail treatment.

Peculiarities

Prices for spa pedicures can vary widely, starting from $25 USD, and the most upscale establishments can charge over $100 per session. Since not all pedicure salons are created equal, it is important for the client to ask detailed questions about what is included in their services, as well as to ensure that the salon has high standards of cleanliness and hygiene. A nice feature of a spa pedicure is the chairs and foot spas.

It is important that the foot bath has a drain rather than recirculating water and is thoroughly cleaned between client visits. Nail spas typically use salt in the foot bath to allow the client to relax for a few minutes while the skin and nails are cleaned and softened.

After the initial soak, the nails should be freed from any remaining polish. Foot massage, reflexology, acupressure, and moisturizing treatments can all be used. Other spa pedicure options include hot stone massage and paraffin treatment. Another benefit of a spa pedicure is the ambiance, as most high-end salons and spas maintain a pleasant atmosphere of rest and relaxation.

Cuticles are not cut during a spa pedicure, but are pushed back with a special wooden stick and removed with a cuticle remover. The nails are given the desired shape, then they are varnished. In reputable establishments, this work will be of the highest quality. The varnish is applied carefully to avoid getting it on the skin, there are no bubbles or unevenness on the painted surface of the nail. The painted nail should be durable, and the paint should last longer than after a home pedicure.

Some salons offer spa pedicures, which are not really that different from a regular pedicure, despite the extra cost. So it's important to know what exactly a spa pedicure at a spa includes before you pay for one.

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