It doesn't feel like it's been that long since your last pedi, but when you go to put on a pair of open-toed shoes, you can't help but gasp, “The horror!” Has it really been that long? Is there a standard amount of time to wait between pedicures, and if so, how long? In this article, we’ll tell you exactly how often you should get a pedicure and provide a list of signs indicating your feet are ready for some TLC. Plus, we’ll even give you tips on how to make your pedicure last as long as possible. Read on for happy feet!
This article is based on an interview with our professional nail artist, Marta Nagorska. Check out the full interview here.
Things You Should Know
- Aim to get a pedicure about once a month, whether you’re going to a salon or treating your feet yourself.
- Schedule a pedicure if you notice cracked heels, ingrown toenails, corns, overgrown nails, cuticles, and chipped polish.
- Extend the life of your pedicure by regularly exfoliating your feet with a pumice stone and applying a clear top coat over your original polish.
Steps
Signs You Need One
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Your current nail polish is chipped. Keep an eye out for chipped toenail polish when you go to take a shower or bath. If your nails look worse for wear, it might be time to make an appointment for a pedicure or paint them yourself.
- Your toenail polish doesn’t have to be chipped to want to swap it out for something else. Pedicures are an opportunity to have fun and express yourself.
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Your nail shape is uneven, broken, or grown out. Few things are as frustrating as having a snaggle nail that catches on your socks and sheets. If you notice your toenail shape looking too long for your liking, broken, or uneven, it may be time for a nice trim and buff. [4] X Research source
- If you’re giving yourself a salon-style pedi, be sure to sanitize your cuticle/nail clippers and file with alcohol between uses.
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Your cuticles look untidy. Dry skin builds up quickly around the nail bed, resulting in overgrown cuticles. If your cuticles are taking up most of your nail bed or are cracked and ripped, a pedicure might be just what you need to get back to looking your best. [5] X Research source
- Use cuticle remover to slough off excess dead skin around your toenails during an at-home pedicure.
- A cuticle is the clear layer of skin that’s located at the bottom of your finger or toe, which helps to protect the nail bed.
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You have cracked heels, calluses, corns, or ingrown toenails. It’s easy for the skin on your feet to get dry, especially during the summer months. Take a moment in the shower to feel your feet for dryness, cracking, or calluses. If you have any of those foot conditions or a painful ingrown toenail, a pedicure can help. [6] X Research source
- Get your ingrown toenails treated as soon as they arise to avoid needing surgery later.
- Calluses and corns are hardened, thick layers of dead skin that build up on your foot and can cause pain.
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Ask your salon about what additional treatments to add to your pedicure, like special oils, waxes to nourish your skin, or special polishes like shellac to make your pretty nails last longer.Thanks
Warnings
- Avoid getting exfoliating pedicures too often (more than once a month) or over-exfoliating (more than once a week) at home. Your feet should never be scrubbed raw or painful to the touch.Thanks
- Avoid pedicures if you have diabetic foot issues, have toenail fungus, are immunocompromised, or have recently injured your foot to avoid potential complications, such as infection. [11] X Research sourceThanks
References
- ↑ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/beauty/why-is-a-pedicure-necessary/articleshow/69579418.cms
- ↑ https://youtu.be/_dM1TU4VTWY?t=30
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/foot-hygiene.html
- ↑ https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.torn-or-detached-nail.sig256776
- ↑ https://lesalon.com/blog/benefits-of-pedicures/
- ↑ https://lesalon.com/blog/benefits-of-pedicures/
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ug2408
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6994637/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5297015/