Spa Pedicures

You don't have to have a foot fetish to love getting spa pedicures. Your feet will appreciate the break, and you'll be proud to sport your sandals and open-toe shoes once you're done.

It isn't often that a woman's feet get to relax. Constantly on the go, with careers, family, and other commitments, the feet often take more than they deserve. Making the time to visit the beauty salon for spa pedicures rejuvenates the feet and keeps them looking their best.

The spa or salon where you are going for your pedicure should adhere to proper sanitizing procedures. Look for spas and salons that thoroughly sanitize metal instruments and disinfect surfaces in between clients. Clean towels and good hand- washing are also important to keep bacteria, fungus, and viruses from spreading during pedicures and foot treatments.

Most spas offer a range of pedicure services to meet your needs. Basic spa pedicures may include exfoliation, cuticle care, filing and shaping of the nails, and polishing or buffing the nails. Additional pedicure services that may be offered include:

• Callus removal
• Glycolic foot peel
• Paraffin wax foot treatment
• Reflexology
• Microdermabrasion for the feet
• Whirlpool foot soaks
• Foot masks or wraps
• Salt scrubs
• Aromatherapy foot treatment
• Foot and calf massage
• Foot massage with oil
• French pedicure
• Specialty pedicures -- nail art, decals
• Deep moisturization/hydration foot treatments
• Citrus soaks

Sometimes referred to as racer or sport pedicures, men's spa pedicures usually includes nail clipping, foot exfoliation, and filing and buffing of the nails. Foot and calf massage, natural looking protective polish, whirlpool soaks, and other treatments are also available for men.

Pedicures can be enjoyed anytime of the year, but are especially popular during spring and summer months when your feet and toes are more likely to be shown in public.

Winter is a good time for spa pedicures including hydrating treatments since winter weather tends to dry out the skin.

Pedicures should be done no more than once a week. While weekly manicures are often suggested, you can actually go several weeks between pedicures since the toenails have a slower growth rate than fingernails.

Wear or bring sandals to your appointment to allow your nails to dry thoroughly afterwards.

Whenever any disorder or fungus, including athlete's foot, is suspected, you should avoid getting a pedicure from a spa or salon. Wait until the condition clears completely before resuming pedicures and other foot treatments.

Many spas offer other services in package deals that include their pedicures, such as manicures, massage, and facials. If you are interested in more than one service or treatment, this could be a money-saving option for you.

Today there are many products on the market that allow you to treat your feet with the luxury of the spa right in your own home. Basic products you can purchase to give yourself a professional looking pedicure include a pumice stone or callus remover, orangewood or birchwood sticks to push down cuticles, cuticle oil, foot creams, foot scrubs, nail files and a wide variety of nail polishes. Other products you can purchase to give your feet and nails the special treatment they deserve include:

• Pressure point foot massagers
• Hot water massaging foot spas
• Foot peels
• Tension relief foot gel
• Exfoliating foot brushes
• Foot masks
• Overnight hydration treatments
• Mineral foot soaks
• Buffing creams
• Callus stones
• Heel creams
• Paraffin foot baths

You can also find kits for spa pedicures available in a wide variety of price ranges. Some come with professional tools and everything you need for a pedicure and foot pampering.

Looking for good brands and products? Most drug stores and department stores usually carry a great selection of foot care and pedicure products. Browse online beauty stores or talk to your nail technician for suggestions. Following are a few popular home spa pedicure items:

• Burt's Bees Foot Care Kit
• Sephora Professional Pedicure/Manicure Kit
• Estee Lauder Smoothing Feet Pedicure Cream
• Barielle's Total Foot Recovery System
• Sally Hansen's Beyond Perfect Foot Cream
• HoMedics Foot Spas
• Miracle Products' pumice stones and callus removing products
• Elizabeth Arden Jasmine Foot Mask
• Essie Exfoliating Foot Scrub
• Tammy Taylor Peach Pedicure/Manicure Set

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