You spend most days on your feet, and more often than not, confining them in shoes. That’s why you should treat yourself to a pedicure every once in a while. People’s reasons to get a pedicure vary, and accordingly, you’ll find nail salons and spas that offer different types of pedicures. This article will help you pick the best treatment for your toes by laying out 11 of the most common types of pedicures and how they’re done!
1. Standard Pedicure
This is the standard, classic-style pedicure. With these types of pedicures, you start by soaking your feet in a warm foot-bath until the skin gets soft. Afterward, you get a foot scrub to remove any calluses and rough skin. Next comes cuticle care, where you remove any extra skin around the nails and get rid of any hangnails. You then get your nails trimmed, filed, and shaped.
In some nail spas, you may get offered a foot massage and moisturizing lotion after the treatment. You can also optionally follow it by nail color application if you want painted toenails.
The standard pedicure is ideal for regular nail care. It’ll have your feet feeling soft, clean, and refreshed. You’ll find that almost all nail salons offer this pedicure option, and you can even do it yourself at home if you get your hands on the rights tools.
2. Spa Pedicure
Feel like pampering yourself? These luxurious types of pedicures for your toes are just what you need. The spa pedicure is an amplified version of the standard pedicure that should leave you feeling ultra-relaxed.
The exact procedure of a spa pedicure may differ from one nail salon to the next. Yet, there are some standards that most nail places apply.
For starters, you’ll get your spa pedicure in a more private and calm setting than other pedicure types. Additionally, you’ll get a lot of other treatments that will leave you feeling gratified.
During a spa pedicure, the special treatments include an essential oil-infused warm foot bath, an exfoliating foot scrub, a hydrating foot mask, and sometimes even a warm towel wrap and paraffin wax dips.
3. Paraffin Pedicure
Are your feet extra dry and your heels cracked? If so, then a paraffin pedicure is your go-to on your next trip to the spa.
Depending on which types of pedicures the nail salon offers, you may find different styles of paraffin pedicures. It can be done by wrapping your feet in a paraffin towel or slippers. Alternatively, some salons offer a variation where you dip your feet in a paraffin wax bath.
After a few minutes, the paraffin dries and is then peeled off your skin, taking any dead skin and impurities with it. The paraffin helps open your pores while providing a thin coating for your skin. It also helps retain your skin’s natural oils, thereby giving you the most benefit.
Furthermore, paraffin has hydrating and healing properties. It deeply moisturizes, leaving your feet feeling softer and smoother.
4. Sports Pedicure
If you play sports, you probably know that having your feet in trainers for long hours can take its toll. In that case, a sports pedicure, otherwise known as an athlete’s pedicure, is the perfect way to give your tired feet some much-deserved care.
The sports pedicure is similar to the standard one; you soak your feet in warm water and get your toenails clipped and cuticles treated.
What sets this pedicure procedure apart from others is the cooling treatment that follows the initial steps. Aromatherapy is used by employing cooling essential oils, such as eucalyptus and peppermint, to help relieve your tired foot muscles.
But don’t be misled by its name; a sports pedicure is also ideal for those who suffer from conditions such as ingrown nails and extreme calluses.
5. French Pedicure
A French pedicure will leave you feeling like “oh la la la”! The pedicure is essentially a standard pedicure, with the difference in the nail polish application.
After cleansing and caring for your nails and feet, the nail technician will then proceed to paint your nails French style. This usually entails a coat of nude-colored nail polish, followed by opaque white nail polish applied on the nail’s tip. Then, she’ll end it by applying another nude-colored coat and topcoat.
This is one of the favorite pedicures among women, as the French tips manicure leaves your nails looking natural and sophisticated.
Recently, there have been some interesting twists on this pedicure style, where customers opt for gold or red-colored tips instead of the classic white ones.
6. Gel Pedicure
Gel pedicures are ideal if you want your nail polish to last longer. This type of pedicure starts with the basics, where you get a warm foot bath, nail clipping, cuticle care, and foot moisturizing treatment. When it comes to the manicure application, that’s where gel pedicure excels.
Instead of regular nail polish, the nail technician will paint your nail using gel nail polish. After applying the first coat, you’ll expose your nails to UV light, which helps the polish get more rigid and stay put for longer. This process is then repeated three times to complete the pedicure.
Gel nail polish is strong and won’t peel easily. It’s perfect if you’re going on vacation, as it can last for up to four weeks!
7. Fish Pedicure
The fish pedicure service is one of the most unconventional pedicures on our list. That’s why it’s only offered in specialized spas.
Instead of a regular foot bath and scrub, you place your feet in an aquarium filled with tiny flesh-eating fish. These fish will then quickly and painlessly clean your feet of any dead skin and impurities.
The fish pedicure will leave your feet feeling super soft and smooth. After the fish treatment, you’ll get the regular nail clipping, filing, and nail polish application services.
No need to worry about harming the fish or yourself during this pedicure. The skin on your feet is actually a good food source for those fish, and they’re so small you don’t feel a thing, except maybe a little tickle.
8. Chocolate Pedicure
A chocolate pedicure is even better than it sounds. It’s a wonderful treatment for your dry feet, as chocolates contain antioxidants that help with moisturizing.
Instead of a regular foot bath, your lucky feet will be soaked in a melted chocolate bath. Not only that but after the soak, you’ll get a chocolate foot scrub and a hydrating chocolate foot mask treatment.
Following this yummy foot therapy, the nail technician will clip and shape your toenails, remove any cuticles, and apply your nail polish.
9. Ice Cream Pedicure
An Ice Cream pedicure is another unconventional pedicure that feels as fantastic as it sounds. It utilizes cold therapy to treat your feet.
You’ll start with a standard warm foot soak, but with ice cream bath balls included. These bath balls contain vitamins and oils that moisturize your feet, leaving them soft and smooth.
A foot buff-and-polish follows the procedure to remove the rough skin, using an ice cream foot-buffer. You can then get a scented foot scrub or go to the final step of a hydrating foot-icing treatment.
Some spas add an extra step to this pedicure, where they finish off by applying red nail polish to emulate a cherry on top.
10. Salt Pedicure
Salt pedicures are similar to the classic pedicures, but with an added dash of salt! Sea salt is added to the warm foot bath, where you soak your feet for about 15 minutes.
Following the salt-infused foot bath, you get a foot scrub using sea salt and rock salt, which help to exfoliate and cleanse your foot and heels. Some salons add lemon to this pedicure, as it helps soften the rough skin on your feet.
Sea salt has many benefits and healing properties, as it acts as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory mineral. This aids in disinfecting your foot and relaxing your tired muscles during your pedicure. It’s also great for helping ease the pain of ingrown nails.
11. Mini Pedicure
Just because you’re in a rush doesn’t mean you should neglect your toes. The mini pedicure is here for those who don’t have the luxury of the time but still want to treat their toes to a pedicure.
Mini pedicure is a shorter version of the classic pedicure, where you get a quick soak, followed by nail clipping and filing. Usually, since this is a quick pedicure, it doesn’t include a nail polish application service.
Wrap Up
Your feet carry you around all day, so they deserve some occasional love and care! Getting a pedicure is one way of doing just that, especially when you get them at hygienic and trusted nail salons.
Choosing a reputable nail spa helps you avoid catching any infections. Just make sure you follow safety procedures when getting a pedicure, especially if you have any chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes.
Your reason for getting a pedicure may range from medical to luxurious, but in all cases, it’s a treatment your feet deserve from time to time! We hope our guide to types of pedicures has been informative!