Kayla Young
Our feet are the most overworked, yet under-appreciated part of our body. Although we use our feet constantly for our morning jogs, walking the dogs, or even rushing from the coffee shop to work, we don’t give them the attention they deserve.
So, what is the best way to care for your feet? A pedicure, of course! And the best part is that the pedicure experience itself is super relaxing and will help you de-stress after a long day.
How Often Should You Get a Pedicure?
It depends on what your goals are, the time of year, and what you’re doing to your feet. But you should get a pedicure every 3-4 weeks if you want happy feet.
In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about how often to get pedicures, depending on what you want to accomplish with your feet.
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How Often Should You Get a Pedicure?
If your feet are already in great shape, you can get a pedicure every 4-6 weeks. But if your feet and nails need work, a pedicure every 3-4 weeks will definitely help improve things.
Most people don’t realize the importance of regular pedicures, but there’s generally no need to get them every week or two.
Basic pedicures are great for the feet, and can usually last you around a month before you need to head back to the nail spa. On the other hand, Paraffin pedicures last longer. If you get extravagant nail finishes like acrylic or gel nails, they will need to be refreshed differently.
Here is how often you should get different pedicures.
For Healthy Feet
If you already have healthy feet and just want to keep your feet in good shape, a pedicure every 4 to 6 weeks is enough for you. This should involve taking good care of your feet at home, too, maybe a good foot soak or massage. And make sure your feet are moisturized and nails filed properly at least once a week.
Also, keep a lookout for how your feet feel as seasons change. Most people end up needing more frequent pedicures during the colder months. But on the other hand, you’re way more likely to show off your toes in open-toed sandals or shoes during the summer months!
For Skin and Nail Improvement
For people facing some challenges with their feet and trying to improve how they look and feel, a pedicure every 3 to 4 weeks is necessary. During each visit, you will notice a slight improvement in your feet’ health. Eventually, they’ll reach the point where you can make cosmetic pedicure appointments less frequent.
Your pedicure specialist might even create a schedule for you to follow as per the treatment required.
For Ingrown Toenails
If you’re prone to getting ingrown toenails, it’s best to get bi-monthly pedicures. This will ensure your feet get the right care to avoid ingrown nail formation and save you the painful task of removing them every time.
For Gel Pedicures
Gel pedicures are getting increasingly popular by the day. They give a gorgeous, polished look and last longer than the normal polish.
If you’re planning on getting gel nails done, bear in mind that they will cost you a little more than the average pedicure. In most cases, gel pedicures need to be refreshed at least bi-monthly to ensure they don’t get chipped or lose their shine.
You’ll also need to consider that they are often dried under a UV nail lamp, which may have some health concerns. LED nail lamps are preferable.
Intermediate Treatments
There are various therapeutic foot treatments you can opt for too. They target specific concerns and offer quick, effective results. Intermediate treatments start at week 0 with a general pedicure. Then, you will need to go back for a special therapeutic treatment at week 2, followed by an extensive pedicure at week 4.
These frequent treatments held over an accelerated time period help get your feet the immediate care they need, especially right before a big event.
What Should You Expect During a Pedicure?
Before leaving for your nail salon appointment, plan to block 45 mins to an hour of your time. That is how long it usually takes for a good pedicure.
Typically the process for a pedicure includes the following steps:
Soak Away
Your nail expert will start by soaking your feet in warm water mixed with essential oils and gentle moisturizers to soften hard skin.
Sit back and enjoy the feeling of giving your feet a well-deserved bubble bath. Aaah, relaxation!
Time to Exfoliate!
Next, they will scrub away all the dead skin cells and calluses building up at the soles of your feet using an exfoliation tool or a pumice stone. Time for another warm soak after, which will soothe the cuticles and soften things up further.
Choose Your Shape
Then, they will clip your nails and shape them in the way you prefer. Often the stylist gives extra attention to any nail breaks or jagged areas.
You can choose between a curve, square, or round shape for your nails. If you need some artificial embellishment, your stylist will likely try one of these fake nail treatments.
Massage
This will be followed by a relaxing foot and lower leg massage that feels like absolute heaven! The pedicure is finished with deep moisturization of your feet and lower legs.
Polish
Typically at the end, you’ll get a nail polish. You may get dip powder nails, acrylic toenails, or standard laquer polish.
Benefits of a Professional Pedicure
Pedicures don’t just make your feet look gorgeous; they are good for the overall health of your body too! Let us show you how.
Foot Massage
Our feet carry a lot of stress – they are strained regularly. They are usually the most-used parts of our body, and have the most bones in them.
When you go for professional foot care, the foot massage helps relax the feet and release all of the stress building up. It promotes blood circulation, which will, in turn, make you more mobile and less likely to develop foot aches.
Cleaned Nails
As we go about our day, our feet are exposed to different terrains and collect all sorts of germs, dirt, and bacteria under the nails. As time passes, these pollutants get stuck under hard-to-reach areas and can be quite difficult to clean out. They make us more likely to get mosquito bites and attract more nasty things.
The pedicure expert has specially designed tools to reach all those areas and clean out the gunk from under your nails. It helps maintain better health and hygiene, not just of your feet but the whole body. It will also keep all those fungal infections and nail diseases away.
Exfoliation
The exfoliation and scrubbing during a pedicure aren’t just super enjoyable; they also serve a greater purpose. Deep chemical and physical exfoliants remove calluses that build upon the soles of our feet due to dead skin and dirt.
By getting rid of dead skin and gunk, you will immediately notice your feet feeling softer and fresher. It will help you eliminate any foot-odor issues and some find that these treatments even help with feet or back pain!
How Often Should Men Get Pedicures?
How about we break out of some stereotypes while we’re here? Yes, men can and should get pedicures too! After all, health and hygiene are essential regardless of gender.
Men should try to get a pedicure at least once every month or so. Not only will it help them relax and spend some me time, but it will also be the perfect way to treat your body – especially if your workplace requires extensive physical exertion.
Also, you should know that most nail salons and bars are judgment-free zones. Contrary to what you may believe, nobody will think it’s strange that a man is getting his feet one. You might even find a male pedicurist or two!
Is There a “Too Often” for Pedicures?
While getting a pedicure feels amazing, visiting the nail salon too much can be bad for your feet.
Your pedicure will include exfoliation, callus smoothing, crack healing etc. These techniques are extremely beneficial for your feet, but can be done too often.
Removing dead skin is great, but over-exfoliation can make things worse. If exfoliation is done too often or too aggressively, it can cause your feet to blister, crack, and even trigger more callus formation.
The worst part is that these results can take up to two weeks to show up, so you won’t immediately know when the damage is being done.
A pedicure every week is probably too often, unless your podiatrist or salon professional suggests you need major intervention.
When Should You Avoid Heading to the Nail Salon?
There are certain instances when getting a pedicure can damage your feet further instead of making them better. If you notice these signs on your feet, you need to make an appointment with your primary healthcare specialist instead
- Eczema or redness.
- Swollen feet.
- Blisters or fresh wounds.
- Change in toenail color.
- Athlete’s foot or other fungal infections.
If you have recently shaved or gotten a new tattoo, it’s best to wait for a few weeks before heading to your nail salon.
Final Thoughts
Getting a pedicure every month or two can really improve your feet. Pair the foot treatment with comfortable shoes and breathable socks that protect your feet from dirt and sun damage, and your pedicures will lead to healthier, more supple, more beautiful feet.
