How to Do a Pedicure at Home? 2 Step-by-Step Lessons and Helpful Tips for Beginners

Summer is coming, and are you still dreaming of beautiful, well-groomed legs and soft, baby-like pink heels? Or do you dream of looking perfect down to your toes at any time of the year? Or maybe you want to become a pedicurist and make money from it?

In this article we will look at all types and nuances of pedicure. And also where and how to learn this skill. Go!

In this article we will tell you:

What is a pedicure?
What tools are needed for a pedicure?
Types of pedicure
How to do a classic pedicure at home?
How to do a hardware pedicure yourself?
How much does a pedicure cost?
How long does a pedicure take?
How often should you get a pedicure?
How to become a pedicure master?
Useful tips and tricks for pedicure beginners

Types of pedicure

There are several types of pedicure. Let's look at each in more detail.

Medical. Who needs a medical pedicure and why? People suffering from certain foot and nail diseases often seek help. It is provided by a podiatrist.

The medical pedicure procedure is aimed at preventing and getting rid of problems such as ingrown toenails, calluses, heel spurs, etc.

Classical. It is divided into edged and European. They differ only in the way the cuticle is processed. In a classic trim pedicure, the legs are first steamed and then the cuticle is carefully removed with rounded manicure scissors.
Dry. There are several names for this type of pedicure: European, French and unedged. With a dry pedicure, your feet do not need to be steamed - the entire procedure is carried out without water. It is replaced by special disinfectants (keratolics), which make it easy to treat the feet from the remnants of old dead skin.

The cuticle is removed using cosmetics or the film is pushed back with an orange stick to the base of the nail. The advantage of a dry pedicure is that it eliminates the possibility of infection with fungal diseases, as, for example, with a classic pedicure.

Hardware. A pedicure is done with a special device with several attachments. They have different purposes. For example, a diamond cutter is used to cleanse the foot of old and rough skin. Silicone ones are designed for polishing nails.

During a hardware pedicure, cutting objects are not used, and water for steaming is also not needed. The keratinized skin is removed with special cosmetics, and the cuticle is simply trimmed with a nozzle.

Despite the universality of the pedicure procedure, it is extremely important to choose a good and trusted specialist whose tools are always sterilized and whose work area is neat and clean.

If it’s too expensive for you to contact a professional, you can learn pedicure for yourself or read the step-by-step instructions in this article and carefully apply the knowledge in practice. Read on!

Also, some types of pedicure are contraindicated for pregnant women and diabetics.

Contraindications to the procedure

There are practically no contraindications to hardware pedicure. The only diagnosis for which it is prohibited is an allergy to the components included in the products used. You can try to select other materials, but the choice is not so large, and most of them have approximately the same composition.

For certain situations, a thin and weakened nail plate will also be a contraindication. Milling cutters may damage it during processing. However, experienced craftsmen know what attachments to use in this case and how to avoid injuries.

How to do a classic pedicure at home?

Step 1. Getting ready for a pedicure.

First you need to steam and soften the skin of your feet. Prepare a bath with warm water.
Add soap solution and a little sea salt for better effect. Soak your feet in the water for 5-10 minutes.
If your feet are very neglected, then you can make the water hotter and keep your feet for about 30 minutes.
After the skin on your feet has steamed, pat them dry with a towel and proceed to the next step.

Step 2. Tidy up your nails.

Focusing on the natural shape, cut your nails with clippers in a straight line.
There is no need to cut them too short, otherwise there is a risk of inflammation. Afterwards, use a file to go over the cut of the nail and trim it.

Attention! The nail shape should be square with no rounded corners. Otherwise, the nail may grow into the skin.

Then use an orange stick or a special spatula to carefully push back the cuticle. You can remove it using a special cosmetic product, which you need to apply, wait 5 minutes and remove the residue with a cotton pad.
Using a manicure spatula, remove dirt from under the nails and polish the nail plate with a buff.

Step 3. Process the feet.

You will need a double-sided grater. Using a coarse grater, remove rough skin from your heels, feet, and big toes.

Go over old calluses and corns. Using a fine abrasive grater, carefully smooth out any small imperfections in the skin on sensitive areas of the foot.

Step 4. Moisturize and care.

After all manipulations, apply a colored, transparent or protective coating to your nails. It can be colorless or any other varnish. You can paint with gel polish. Choose according to your taste.
And lastly, but most importantly, don’t forget to lubricate the skin of your feet with a nourishing cream!

It is best to moisturize your feet daily. Then the legs will be soft and well-groomed, and the number of cracks on the heels will be reduced.

Treatment of cuticles on legs

How to do a pedicure at home with your own hands? The step-by-step instructions involve removing the skin around the nail. To do this, you can use tweezers, thin scissors, special cutting blades for nails and other devices.

Carefully trim away excess skin, being careful not to damage sensitive areas. If you use special compounds to soften the cuticle, some of them can independently corrode the rough areas. All you have to do is wipe the treated skin with a soft cloth. If you accidentally damage your skin while working, use peroxide or alcohol. Be sure to disinfect the wound and stop the bleeding.

How to do a hardware pedicure yourself?

The hardware pedicure procedure cannot be called fast. It lasts about an hour and is considered the safest and most gentle.

During the procedure, there is no damage, cuts or pain, as, for example, with a classic trim pedicure. However, this type of pedicure requires skill and practice. It may not work the first time, so proceed carefully.

For a hardware pedicure you will need:

Disinfectant. It is best if it is a product that does not require the use of water.
Remover for removing dead skin. This cosmetic product penetrates rough skin and exfoliates it.
Pedicure device with a set of cutters.
Foot cream.

Step 1: Prepare and soften the skin on your feet. First, disinfect the skin of your feet and apply remover. This product softens and exfoliates the skin.

Step 2: Treat your feet. Clean the skin on your heels and then on your feet using a machine.

Pay special attention to the skin on the outside of the thumb. After general treatment of the foot, gently sand the cuticle.

Step 3. Give your nails smoothness and the desired shape using cutters.

Step 4. Cover the nail plate with colored or clear varnish and apply a moisturizing or medicinal cream to your feet.

Indications for the procedure

In some cases, the choice between classic and hardware pedicure is a matter of health. Processing with cutters and attachments is necessary when:

hangnails - removing them with forceps will be difficult and traumatic;
thin cuticles - ordinary tools damage it, causing pain for several weeks after a pedicure, and the device carefully removes it;
uneven surface of the nail - polishing with attachments smooths out the bumpy surface, makes the thick nail plate thinner;
diabetes mellitus – only a device can quickly improve the legs of people suffering from diabetes;
damaged nails - special attachments correct any imperfections;
ingrown nails - cutters not only treat ingrown nails, but are also considered its main prevention;
cracks, corns, calluses - dealing with them manually is more difficult and takes longer.

How to become a pedicure master?

You can become a good specialist yourself by watching lessons on YouTube and reading articles on the Internet.

Online lessons can teach you how to do a pedicure for yourself, and with due persistence, accuracy and diligence, you can do it just as well as a professional.

However, to work in a good salon, you will need a certificate to prove your qualifications.

If you decide to start making money from your skill, you should take specialized courses.

You need to do this not only for the certificate, but also in order to understand the nuances of the procedure at an even higher level, as well as learn the basics of working with clients.

To avoid regretting wasted time and money, pay attention to the number of hours devoted to theory and practice.

There should be either as much practice as theory, or an order of magnitude more.
Find out how many people are studying in the group. In overcrowded groups, the teacher will not be able to devote enough time to each student and you personally.
The optimal option is 5–10 people in a group. Smaller is certainly better.
Read reviews about the school, look at the work of former students: do you like the quality of everything?
Please also pay attention to the course instructor. How competent is he, do he have awards and certificates of advanced training, how long has he been teaching.

After completing a full pedicure course, you will gain the knowledge and practical skills necessary for your work. But don't stop there!

Attend seminars and advanced training courses, track pedicure trends on the Internet, read magazines, specialized blogs and don’t be afraid to experiment.

Fashion trends in 2019

Monochrome pedicure remains fashionable. Moreover, it is not necessary that it repeat the color of the nails on your hands. On the contrary, such a combination is considered provincial. For those who don’t particularly like a monochromatic pedicure, you can diversify the design with a pattern on one or more fingers.

As for shades, bright colors are in fashion: coral, green, gold, transparent blue. Lovers of a discreet style should choose burgundy or wine red. These colors look especially impressive in a matte pedicure.

In 2022, complex and intricate patterns are no longer in fashion. They were replaced by unobtrusive, simple drawings, but at the same time thought out to the smallest detail. Geometry, abstraction and funny prints, polka dots, flowers and ornaments are trending. Those who prefer laconicism should choose an ultra-fashionable marble pedicure.

The classic French jacket never goes out of style and remains relevant this year. But instead of the traditional white color, it is recommended to use red, blue, and golden shades for stripes. Lunar nail art is popular.

This year, the hole can be designed either traditionally oval or triangular, double or unfolded. Moreover, even beginners can easily handle this technique at home. If desired, such a design can be decorated with rhinestones or a metallic strip. But here it is important not to overdo it with the decor, otherwise the pedicure will look vulgar.

Article design: Oleg Lozinsky

Useful tips and tricks for pedicure beginners

To keep your legs looking beautiful and well-groomed for longer, you should follow some recommendations.

Remember that keeping your feet hydrated is key to making your pedicure last longer. It is necessary to moisturize the skin with creams and care for the cuticle every day. To keep your heels smooth and soft for a long time, exfoliate with sea salt.

The professionalism of the master, regular pedicures once every 2-3 weeks using the right enzymatic cosmetics will make home care easier.
Anna Korovaeva

So, anyone can do a pedicure at home. The main thing is to arm yourself with the necessary arsenal of tools, to be careful and attentive. And then your feet will become soft, well-groomed and beautiful. Good luck!

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