Men's manicure and pedicure: how to take care of nails for a modern man

From this article you will learn:

How do men's manicures and pedicures differ from women's?
What tools are used for men's manicure and pedicure?
How can a man do a manicure and pedicure on his own?
How to care for your hands and feet after procedures

Today, representatives of the stronger sex often think about the beauty and health of their nail plates. It's no secret that any respectable, successful and self-confident man strives to look brand new. This applies not only to clothes, accessories, hairstyles, but also to manicure and pedicure. More recently, most men had a negative attitude towards the services of the beauty industry, believing that they were intended only for the fair sex. However, now this phenomenon is observed less and less often, because a healthy and charming appearance is the key to success. That's why men's manicures and pedicures are especially popular today.

How does a man's manicure differ from a woman's?

Today, caring for men’s nail plates is comparable to the services of a nail artist for the fair sex, but there are still some nuances. It is also worth noting that the technique of performing a man’s manicure is no easier than a woman’s. In addition, ladies love to go to the salon for such services and get pleasant emotions from the process, unlike the stronger sex, who, on the contrary, quickly get tired and look forward to the end of the procedure.

The main difference between men's manicure and women's manicure is precisely the reluctance of clients to sit in the master's chair for a long time. Young people are not inspired by going to a beauty salon; for them, the most important aspect is how long it takes a specialist to complete his task (the less, the better). At the end of the work, the nail plates, as a rule, have a healthy and attractive appearance, which lasts for a month.

Among other things, women, for the most part, tolerate pain more easily than men; they perceive the master’s unpleasant manipulations as uncomfortable, but tolerable. Young people often experience pain when cutting cuticles or filing the nail plate.

It is also worth noting: the stronger sex has harder nails, so men's manicure requires, oddly enough, a longer stay in the salon than women's. Moreover, there is no identical nail plate shape for all young people, so when cutting nails, experts focus on the fingertips. This allows you to give the client’s hands well-groomed.

For such a service, representatives of the stronger sex most often visit men's manicure and pedicure salons, choosing specialists in their field. The work of a master, done in the best possible way, is often more expensive than the same service for a woman.

So, from the above factors, the difference between manicure services for both genders becomes clear. Firstly, young people have stiffer, harder nail plates, thanks to protein and keratin, the amount of which is an order of magnitude greater in them than in women. Secondly, their skin around the nails is undoubtedly thicker, which complicates the work of the master and increases the time spent on the procedure. Thirdly, as already mentioned, due to the listed aspects, the price of men's manicure (and pedicure) may be higher than that of women's.

An important point is a certain level of trust the client has in his specialist, because representatives of the stronger sex simply need to feel calm and be confident that the master will do the work carefully and professionally.

Photos before and after the procedure

Is there any point in men's manicure? Of course, this procedure helps to make your hands not feminine, but simply neat and well-groomed. Photos before and after the procedure will help you verify this. The effect is especially noticeable if the event is being implemented for the first time.

Types of men's manicure

Perhaps the main difference between the procedure for representatives of different sexes is in shaping the nail plate. During men's manicure, specialists shorten nails without deforming their natural appearance. The most important thing is grooming. By the way, you can achieve this result yourself by simply copying the nail technician’s technique.

A manicure on short nails with a free edge of 1–2 mm is usually called a man's French manicure. According to the classics, nails are given an oval or square shape and the cuticle is processed.

According to technique, men's manicure is divided into:

Dry.
This manicure is often called gentle, since it does not involve the use of sharp tools or special baths to soften the cuticle. Here, excess skin particles are treated with a special oily product, which in a short time makes them more pliable and allows you to adjust the shape of the cuticle with a wooden stick. The main advantage of such a manicure for men is the significant savings in time spent visiting the salon.
Wet.
This is the most common technique and involves the use of nail baths to soften the cuticles and remove them with sharp tools. Representatives of the stronger sex, as already mentioned, have denser skin. That's why this type of men's manicure is the most popular option among young people.
Hot.
This hand care technology is not much different from the previous one. However, instead of a regular water bath for nails, a special oil rich in vitamins and minerals is used here, heated to the required consistency. This manicure for men is intended for clients with thick skin and a refined structure of the nail plate. However, women use this procedure more often, since young people usually have healthier and stronger nails.
With pumice.
This type of men’s manicure is not much different from the first type. The main difference is the use of a special sponge to remove cuticles.

If you cannot decide on the type of procedure on your own, it is best to seek a recommendation and advice from a specialist.

Why do men need manicures?

fungus prevention . Regular care of the nail plate reduces the risk of developing a fungal infection;
aesthetics . Well-groomed hands are an indicator of health, status and self-love. It’s more pleasant to look at a director with well-groomed hands than at overgrown cuticles and hangnails;
prevention of burrs . Due to the skin's tendency to dry, hangnails may appear on men's hands. Proper cuticle removal will help avoid this.

Tools for men's manicure

A men's manicure set usually includes:

Special product for care baths. The initial stage of the procedure is the most important step, because the skin simply needs vitamins and minerals. For baths, you can use ordinary oils and soap solution. It is necessary to heat any of the selected solutions to a certain temperature. Similar products are sold in cosmetic stores and salons.
Special scissors. They must be disinfected before starting the procedure. Scissors are used to cut off excess nail plate and cuticle. It is worth noting: budget models do not have a long service life and blade sharpness. It is very important to purchase a professional tool from a manufacturer that has proven itself only from the best side. This is the key to high quality work.
A scraper for men's manicure. It is used to move the skin that has grown around and at the base of the nail plate. There are blades at both ends of the tool (the first is in the form of a spatula for removing cuticles, the second is in the form of a tapered tip for removing excess skin particles in the area of the nail plate).
Nail clippers. No professional craftsman can do without this device. It is he who is able to quickly and effortlessly remove cuticles and excess skin particles. This tool is intended for women's and men's manicure.

The file is used to correct the length and shape of the nail plate. The assortment is huge, but specialists most often purchase instruments made of glass and baked clay, which are durable and have a long service life. It is better to avoid metal files - they deform the nail plate, which negatively affects the quality of men's manicure.
The buff is used at the final stage of the procedure. It is designed to smooth the nail plate and give it a natural shine. A similar device for men's manicure has several surfaces of different abrasiveness. When treating your nails yourself, you can use ordinary woolen fabric, which has, by and large, the same properties as the buff.
Skin nourishing product. As already mentioned, young people have rougher skin, which makes applying formulations (creams or oils) with vitamins and minerals simply necessary. When performing a men's manicure, you should never give up such hand skin care.

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Step-by-step instruction

The first thing the master should do is relax the client. Men's manicure is still not accepted by most Russians, and men who signed up for the procedure feel out of place.

In the instructions, we will look at the technology of European manicure step by step, and based on this, you can adjust the steps to suit any other technique.

Tools and materials:

file 150-180 grit, for example from ruNail;
cuticle remover. You can use any existing one or purchase a special one, for example, from the Nail Creation brand. They talked about it in more detail at the end of the article;
orange stick – 2 pcs.;
polishing buffer 900-1200 grit. It is convenient to use four-sided bars, like Mertz No. 979. Each side has its own abrasiveness.

We start the manicure by filing the mold. You should not file down the corners of the nail - this may cause them to grow into the skin. Also, do not remove the length “under the root”. It is optimal to leave 1-2 mm of the free edge of the nail plate. Do not forget that the shape of the nail should follow the shape of the fingertip;
The processing of the rollers is carried out with the same file as the sawdust of the form. For these purposes, you can also use a special diamond-coated cuticle file. The Mertz brand has one. When polishing the side rollers, try not to touch the nail so that cuts do not appear;
Apply remover to the cuticle and leave it on for as long as indicated in the instructions for it. Usually the time does not exceed 1-3 minutes. If you have a cuticle file, you don’t need to apply remover - just lift the skin with an orange stick and file it without touching the nail;
Use an orange stick to pry the cuticle where it touches the nail plate and gently move it towards the base. If the cuticle comes off completely, clean it with an orange stick;
Remove any remaining remover or wash your hands if required by the manufacturer;
Polish the nail plate with a buff.

After the hygiene procedure, you can cover the nail plates with a strengthening agent, apply cream to the brushes and cuticle oil.

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How to do a men's manicure yourself

To properly do a men's manicure yourself, you need to familiarize yourself with the technique and the main principles of such work. This procedure can be performed either by yourself or with the help of your beloved woman. The most important thing is not to neglect the recommendations and study the stages of the process.

The primary tool for a man's manicure on his own is a special machine that helps quickly and effortlessly get the nail plates in order. Of course, you can’t do without certain skills. If you have them, you can give your nails the desired shape and remove the cuticles using the simplest set of tools.

The best option for men's manicure is a reliable file with a hard surface that can easily process dense and thick nails. It would also be a good idea to use a special polishing file at the last stage of the procedure. This device evens out the structure of the nail plate, giving it a natural shine.

For men's manicure, you also need high-quality and pointed nippers or scissors. It’s a good idea to have a wooden stick on hand, which will help, if necessary, remove the cuticle and excess skin particles at the base of the nail plate.

It is very important to study the procedure for performing a high-quality men's manicure step by step. Experts recommend not to neglect any stage, and also to take the matter seriously and with caution. The process itself looks like this:

Before starting, it is very important to wash your hands with soap and then dry them thoroughly with a cotton towel.
Of course, the main thing in men's manicure is the nail plates. You should start working with them by using a nail file to correct the length and give shape. The technique is not at all complicated. It is best to choose a specific direction of movement, which will provide your nails with a natural and healthy appearance. You should not file the nail plate “under the root”; this risks its subsequent cutting into the skin, which is very painful and unpleasant.
Upon completion of the second stage, you must wash your hands again (preferably with high temperature water). Now you can start processing the cuticle. It is worth noting that this stage is one of the most important, which is why you should be careful and attentive to details when performing a manicure for men yourself.
Next, you need to pour water into the container chosen for the procedure, and then dip your fingertips into it. The bath can be filled with nourishing compounds that help soften the skin ridges and nails. It wouldn’t hurt to pour a pinch of baking soda powder into the container. At home, oddly enough, soda is not inferior to professional cosmetic compositions for baths. As a rule, the nails should be soaked in the solution for about five minutes, after which the cuticles will become softer. Due to this effect, further work on men's manicure is much easier.
After completing the unpleasant stage of removing the cuticle, you can begin polishing the nail plates using a special manicure file. This is the key to natural shine, health and attractive appearance of nails. This is what allows them, after a men’s manicure, to look like they do in photos from fashion magazines.

To ensure a high-quality procedure, it is recommended to go to a cosmetology store and purchase special products and accessories for the procedure. They will help deal with stubborn skin around the nail plates, moisturize your hands, and nourish them with essential vitamins and minerals. Water baths with specialized products make the further stage of cuticle removal less painful and unpleasant.

It is worth noting that performing a men’s manicure yourself is important to consider. All manipulations must be done carefully. There is no need to rush, otherwise pain will be inevitable. There are many nerve endings in human fingers. One sudden movement and instant pain. Despite the fact that men have strong hands, the most important thing during this procedure is accuracy. In order not to worry, you need to prepare yourself for possible discomfort, for the fact that you will have to endure a little.

Do not forget about possible small cuts in the process of performing a men's manicure. As a rule, there is nothing wrong with such wounds. It is important to promptly apply a disinfectant composition to your hands and feet to prevent various infections from entering the bloodstream. It is also recommended to lubricate the skin with a nourishing cream rich in vitamins and minerals at the end of the procedure.

Execution technology

The procedure is done as follows:

Manicure begins with disinfection of the skin, because if an infection occurs, inflammation and suppuration can occur.
Steam and soften the skin of your hands in a bath of water at a comfortable temperature with the addition of oils or salts for 20 minutes.
When performing a manicure using trimming technology, the skin (cuticle) is removed at the line where the nail begins to grow.
According to European technology, the cuticle is not cut, but pushed back with an orange stick.
Shaping the nail plate.
Align the outer edge of the nail.
Polishing to remove scratches and make it smooth.
At the client's request, the master can apply a transparent varnish to give a healthy shine.
Treat your hands with nourishing cream and perform a massage.

Trim manicure

The procedure is performed step by step according to the following scheme:

Giving men's nails the required shape.
Next, you need to apply the softener to the cuticles of all fingers of one hand.
Pushing back the cuticle with a spatula.
Immerse male fingers in the bath for a couple of minutes.
Removing cuticles with nippers.
Final removal of excess cuticle with scissors. This must be done in one movement so that the line turns out smooth, without burrs.
Final shaping.
Applying nourishing oil.
Polishing the nail.

European

This type of manicure is the safest, as it causes the least damage to the skin. Manicure is performed in the following way:

Trimming excess length and shaping.
Application of a cuticle remover. This should be done in a light, even layer. Leave for a certain time in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging. The drug contains fruit acids, which may cause a burning sensation or burn if overused. Therefore, you need to work carefully and carefully, following the instructions.
Dip your fingers into warm water with added salt.
After the cuticle has softened, it needs to be removed from the nail; the remains can be easily removed with a cotton ball.
Polishing and oil feeding.

Why men need pedicures

The skin always requires special treatment. This also applies to legs (both women and men). Men's pedicure is extremely necessary for the stronger sex due to several factors:

Skin health.
Everyone knows that when walking, a hard layer of skin often appears on the heels and toes, which leads to unpleasant and painful calluses. The men's pedicure procedure allows you to remove such deposits, improve the health of the skin, give the skin access to oxygen and even normalize the blood circulation process.
Preventing the occurrence of dermatological diseases.
The layers mentioned above are fraught with damage to the entire body and the accumulation of harmful microorganisms on the skin. The most persistent and dangerous disease is a fungal infection. If it appears once, it means that it may periodically bother the person again. A men's pedicure is not only about grooming, but also about the healthy condition of the skin.
Elimination of ingrown nails.
Ingrown nails are a very unpleasant and painful condition, in which a men's pedicure is simply a necessary procedure (at least twice a month). If you contact specialists on time and regularly, you can get rid of this phenomenon forever. The main thing is to choose a highly qualified professional who knows his business.
Well-groomed.
Of course, keratinized skin and yellowish toenails look ugly. That is why men's pedicure today is a very popular procedure among clients who understand how important a neat appearance is in the modern world.

Undoubtedly, the stronger half of humanity does not attach as much importance to self-care as girls and women. Despite this, most men still don’t let themselves go. It is best to do a men's pedicure in the warm season, when it is simply impossible to hide imperfections in the condition of the feet.

It wouldn’t hurt to visit the salon at the beginning of winter. Due to the heating of the premises, the air becomes dry, so the skin is more susceptible to unpleasant changes: peeling, the appearance of cracks, which make walking difficult and painful. Here, men's pedicure is not just beauty, but, above all, health and the ability to fully move.

Reviews from men

Anatoly: I go to the salon and don’t see anything wrong with it. In my opinion, it is more shameful to have dirty, unkempt fingers than to go to a manicure.
Zhenya: My girlfriend takes care of my nails. I would never go to a salon.
Max: It would be strange to just show up at a salon where there are a lot of women. It’s better to just trim your nails on time, and that’s all, that’s enough.
Anton: I am a businessman, and I always need to look presentable. I don’t visit salons; my wife, who does this professionally, does a hardware manicure for me.

Features of men's pedicure

The technique for performing a men's pedicure is almost the same as for women's. The main difference is only in the frequency of visits to the salon: for men, as a rule, it is not recommended to carry out the procedure more than once every 30 days. The fact is that their skin is more elastic, flexible and susceptible to changes, so the effect of a pedicure lasts longer.

It's no secret that representatives of the stronger sex feel uncomfortable in any beauty salons. Oddly enough, for them it is usually stressful. It is much easier for them to trust their significant other to carry out the procedure.

When it comes to variations of men's pedicures, deciding on a specific type must be based on the recommendations of a professional. There are several techniques that are the most common. Among them:

Classic pedicure.

For many years, this type of men's pedicure was the most common. However, having opted for the classic version, it is important to make sure that the devices necessary for the procedure are carefully processed by the master. Poor disinfection and sterilization can result in harmful bacteria and microorganisms entering the skin and blood. If we talk about the methodology of this type of men's pedicure, the first step is to treat the feet with a special antiseptic composition based on alcohol. Then water procedures are carried out (bath components are selected individually). As a rule, the composition includes sea salt. The next stage is removing the cuticle, correcting the length and polishing the nail plate. When performing a men's pedicure on the skin, the master works with a hard sponge or machine (device). The final step is to apply nutrients to the skin. It is important to note: the classic version is not suitable for people suffering from diabetes, hepatitis of all types and increased bleeding.

European pedicure.

This type of procedure does not involve the use of sharp instruments by the master. That is why it is recognized as the most harmless - the possibility of causing wounds tends to zero. Before directly treating the nail plates, a disinfectant is applied to the skin, and a softening composition is applied to the cuticle at the base of the nails. After about five minutes, remove excess particles with a cloth. The pliable cuticle is removed using a wooden stick. The nail plates are processed with a file with a hard surface. If required, the specialist uses a buff. When performing a men's pedicure, a softening composition is applied to the skin. This is the only way to enjoy the highest quality and pleasant results.

Unedged hardware pedicure.

Today this is the most popular type of men's pedicure. Its main advantage is that it is absolutely harmless. Sharp instruments are also not used here. This technique is the best option for those who have unpleasant changes in the skin of their feet. Having decided on the necessary attachment, the specialist can easily remove calluses, layers and corns.

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If we talk about the step-by-step technique, it is very important to disinfect the work area first. Then a composition is used to soften the leathery rollers. It should be kept for about ten minutes. However, in particularly difficult cases, the specialist leaves the product on the skin for approximately longer. The product is removed with a cloth, and the specialist begins to select an attachment for operating the device. It is worth noting: all attachments for men’s pedicure are divided into groups depending on their purpose. For example, more durable ones with diamond coating - for keratinized layers, baked clay - for cuticles or small cracks, silicon-lipid - for eliminating peeling, polymer - for polishing nail plates. These are essential tools for hardware men's pedicure.

As a rule, the procedure does not cause discomfort or pain. The final step is to treat the foot with a nutrient containing vitamins and minerals. Such a men's pedicure can make the skin of your feet healthy. In addition, the effect of the hardware procedure lasts longer.

SPA pedicure.

This type combines all types of men's pedicure. A SPA procedure is not only a guarantee of healthy skin, but also absolute relaxation and pleasant sensations. This includes massage, the use of nutrients, warming, and treatment of the nail plates. Elements of massage are a fundamental component of this type of men's pedicure.

Natural products and ingredients (herbal decoctions, sea salt, essential oils) are often used for SPA treatments. The first step is for the technician to use a disinfectant. Then they begin to exfoliate the upper stratum corneum of the skin and remove calloused layers. The next stage is applying a scrub to the feet and toes. After peeling, the cuticle is pushed back with an orange stick, and the nail plates are treated with a file. The final step is to apply nourishing cream to the feet. Unfortunately, men's SPA pedicure cannot be done for people suffering from thrombosis, varicose veins, hypertension and disorders of the motor system.

All types of foot treatments involve massage, which stimulates blood circulation. In addition, some types of pedicure include elements of paraffin therapy - heat treatment using paraffin heated to the desired consistency as a coolant. As a rule, this procedure is combined with aromatherapy.

To make your feet look aesthetically pleasing and well-groomed without visiting a beauty salon, you can use the discovery of specialists from Japan - pedicure socks. They are easy to use, but the quality of the result is only slightly inferior to the work of a master. It is best to buy inexpensive, high-quality socks from reputable manufacturers. Directions for use: wear daily for a couple of hours. Upon completion of the procedure, you should rinse your feet. In just 7 days, rough skin and layers will disappear. It is important to note that it is forbidden to scrape off exfoliated skin particles on your own, as this is fraught with the appearance of wounds and bleeding.

Features of manicure and pedicure

A man's nail is thicker than a woman's, and at the same time more fragile. Its structure contains insufficient substances for natural flexibility and plasticity, especially since women usually take care of their nails from an early age, strengthening them, preventing and eliminating problems, if any.

Therefore, by middle age, a man’s nails are in much worse condition than any woman’s. There are exceptions, but they are rare.

If a man still takes care of his nails on an ongoing basis, he still has to face a number of difficulties. For example, it is difficult to remove cuticles. Any girl can handle this herself by purchasing a special cuticle stick, but a man is better off not taking risks - his blood vessels will be located closer and there is a high probability that he will simply get hurt.

Men do not have access to all the variety of forms that have long been common in women’s manicure:

Since their palms are wider and physiologically larger, neat oval, pointed and spade-shaped nails will look ridiculous.
A man’s shape can only be selected individually, based on visual perception.

A good master will make sure that the nails correspond to the wide pads on the fingers characteristic of men. Even if the client has long and thin “female” fingers, it is still not worth equating them to the standards of the procedure for women.

How to care for your feet after a pedicure

It is important to understand that foot care is an integral part of healthy functioning of the body. Of course, one visit to the salon will not get rid of skin and nail problems. Therefore, experts recommend that men regularly take care of their feet.

To consolidate the results of a men's pedicure, you must follow the following principles:

wear only cotton or wool socks made from natural fibers;
wash your feet with warm water every day for hygiene purposes;
wear comfortable shoes that do not pinch the foot;
treat it from the inside with special disinfecting sprays.

If you follow these rules, the effect of a men's pedicure will last much longer.

Why is this issue worth addressing?

What is the first impression of a person with a dirty edge on shapeless nails? Sloppy, not demanding of himself, and therefore of his work and environment.

A neat and stylish man will be more likely to be hired for a job or invited to a business meeting: after all, he knows his worth.

Nail care is the key to health. Many bacteria accumulate under the nails and enter our bodies with food. They become causative agents of gastritis, infectious and viral diseases.

Tools and materials

In order to do a men's manicure at home, you will need a number of special tools. The list may vary depending on the selected technique. Usually it includes:

a hard file with a grit of 100-120, with which the free edge is cut off;

a softer file with an abrasiveness index of 220-320 grit to give the free edge the desired shape and final processing;

an orange stick or a metal double-sided pusher to move the cuticle or trim the pterygium;

nail clippers or manicure scissors.

To the list of necessary tools you should add any antibacterial agent in case of a cut, as well as a moisturizer: it will saturate the epidermis with nutrients and give your hands a healthy and well-groomed appearance.

What will you need for a manicure?

Classic types of manicure are quite simple to perform. But this fact does not negate the need to purchase a men's manicure set. Nail scissors alone will not be enough. To make the procedure not just useful, but also enjoyable, you need to prepare certain tools and cosmetics. You will need:

file for natural nails;
polishing block;
rounded cuticle scissors;
pusher or orange stick;
nail scissors;
hand bath (an ordinary bowl will do);
cuticle softener;
hand cream;
matte clear coat as a base coat (optional).

The list may seem very long, but believe me, the results are worth it. Your nails will become well-groomed, they will look as natural and neat as in the photo. Next, let's talk about how to do a men's manicure.