How to do a pedicure at home - techniques, tools, step-by-step instructions

Dry pedicure is a foot care procedure without the use of water, scissors or blades. Softening and disinfection of feet and nails is done using antiseptic agents.

Advantages:

safety – no risk of infection, incl. fungal diseases;
modern method;
affordable price;
high execution speed.

During dry pedicures, water was replaced with disinfectant gels. The cutting tool, which causes minor damage, was completely removed. Exceptionally delicate work. The benefits of dry pedicure have made it a very popular service.

There are two dry pedicure techniques - European and hardware.

For clients with thin, dry, well-groomed skin, experts recommend a European dry pedicure. Suitable for teenagers and children, it will give a flawless and aesthetic look to those with well-groomed feet. The technique is not used in advanced cases; if necessary, it is necessary to reanimate thickened and injured skin. Pedicure according to the European method is gentle on nails and skin. The master actively uses softening compounds, and uses sanding files and polishers to process the skin and cuticles.

How to properly steam your feet for a pedicure

Before steaming your feet for a pedicure, be sure to remove the old nail polish. This will allow the nail plate and cuticle to moisturize and receive nutrients.

First, pour warm water into the bath. It is necessary to ensure that the water is not too hot: this can only worsen the condition of the skin on your feet and make it dry. Add bubble bath to the water and keep your feet in it for about 10-15 minutes. Then apply the foot scrub using massage movements, paying attention to particularly rough areas - the heels and toes. The scrub can be washed off in the same foamy water.

Then we lower them into the water again and dry the legs with a clean towel. After this, it is recommended to apply a nourishing cream, and apply and rub tea tree oil or peach oil into the cuticle area.

Recipes

Bath products are selected depending on the problem that worries the woman. In addition, folk recipes can be combined with each other or alternated. This will allow you to achieve maximum effect.

Disinfectant

Application of compounds with disinfectant properties to the nail plates and skin of the feet is required to prevent infection from penetrating into tissues damaged during pedicure. In this case, disinfection must be performed during all procedures, regardless of the duration and method of treatment.

To effectively disinfect the skin, you need to mix 2000 ml of clean water and 2 tablespoons of soda. Place your feet in the prepared bath and hold for 20-25 minutes.

Soap and baking soda have an additional softening effect. You can also add a little herbal tincture or essential oil to the composition. However, you need to use this method carefully if you have any dermatological problems.

Relaxing

Any pedicure procedure will be much more pleasant if you add relaxing agents to the liquid. The most popular are baths with sea salt, which not only soothes, but also strengthens the nail plates and softens the skin.

1000 ml of heated water is poured into the vessel and 1 tablespoon of sea salt and a few drops of pine oil are added to it. The feet should be kept in such a bath for 30-35 minutes. To maintain the effectiveness of the procedure, you need to periodically add warm water to the mixture with a mixture of oil and salt.

Softening

Most of the fair sex, due to tight shoes, high heels and prolonged standing on their feet, experience roughening of the skin on their feet. As a result, cracks and corns appear on the heels. In addition, those with overly sensitive skin often complain of calluses. To solve such problems, you can use a tincture of potato peels.

For this purpose, several potatoes must be boiled and removed from hot water. The prepared slurry is cooled, poured into a basin and feet are kept in it for 15-20 minutes. After steaming, your feet should be thoroughly washed with soap and pedicure procedures should begin. The skin on your legs will become softer and more pliable.

Exfoliating

The list of main tasks of pedicure manipulations includes the elimination of dead skin. At home, it is difficult to properly get rid of coarsened layers, because the epidermis can easily be damaged or the desired effect cannot be achieved.

The most effective method is using hydrogen peroxide. This substance has an exfoliating and disinfecting effect. In addition, peroxide has a positive effect on the condition of nails and cuticle skin.

A softening bath is prepared from 1 tablespoon of salt, 2000 ml of water and 2 tablespoons of peroxide. Steaming duration is 15 minutes. The remnants of keratinized skin are removed using pumice, and the cuticle is cut off with a special device.

It is worth noting

To enhance the effect of the cream, you need to wear warm socks. It is heat that allows nourishing caring substances to penetrate deeply into the skin. It is recommended to sit in socks for at least 20 minutes.

To nourish the skin of the feet, you need to add 20-30 ml of almond oil to the water, which increases the protective properties of the epidermis, makes the skin elastic, nourishes and rejuvenates it. It is also advisable to add vitamins A and E (5-7 capsules each), which regenerate and soften the skin.

To moisturize the feet, add a complex of peach (25-30 ml) and olive (50-70 ml) oils to the water. Peach oil saturates the skin with vitamins E, B, A, deeply moisturizes, and helps the skin overcome dehydration. And olive oil is known for its anti-aging and moisturizing properties. It also reduces the risk of cancer.

To treat the skin of your feet from cracks and eczema, cuts and small wounds, before steaming your feet for a pedicure, it is recommended to make a bath of herbal decoctions diluted with water.

Chamomile decoction soothes the skin, relieves inflammation and promotes healing of affected areas.
Calendula decoction has antibacterial and healing properties.
A decoction of the string can speed up the treatment of eczema, wounds and allergic manifestations on the legs.

Decoctions are prepared by brewing herbs in boiling water and further straining and cooling for 2-3 hours, then dilute with cold or hot water to the desired temperature. The bath is ready. Leave your feet in it for 20 minutes, then pat dry with a towel and apply a softening or nourishing cream.

If the main problem is very rough skin of the feet, then it is recommended to steam the feet for a pedicure in a solution of soda and sea salt in hot water. At the same time, you need to keep your feet in such a bath for about 30-40 minutes. Then carefully treat with pumice and keep in the solution for 5 minutes again. Then dry your feet with a towel, apply a thick layer of softening cream, wrap them in plastic (you can use bags), put on warm socks and leave for 20 minutes.

It is worth noting

Under no circumstances should calluses be cut off; this will only increase their growth, and there is also a risk of getting cuts. In salons they are treated with special devices, but at home, with proper steaming of the feet, the use of pumice, softening creams and with regular repetition of such procedures, they go away on their own.

Now your feet are ready to start working on your nails. Ideas for summer pedicure will not take long to arrive. The main thing is to show a little imagination and accuracy!

A true lady is always well-groomed from head to toe. Note that she is well-groomed, and not decorated and dressed up. But we often confuse these concepts and do not always meet the main condition - grooming. For example, any woman knows that it is necessary to periodically get a manicure and constantly care for her hands. What about the legs? Our poor feet are often deprived of attention and care. How often do you get a pedicure? Okay, in the summer. In the summer, all (are they all?) women try to give their heels a flawless look and carefully treat their toenails. It’s clear – summer, heat, open shoes... And as soon as we hide our legs under tights and boots, we forget about pedicure. Why do it? Nobody sees! Common situation?

Meanwhile, pedicure is a procedure, first of all, hygienic, and secondarily aesthetic! Yes, of course, toenails do not grow as fast as those on our hands, and our feet are hidden from prying eyes for most of the year. But the result of a pedicure is not only and not so much processed and varnished nails, but soft heels, the absence of corns and cracks on the feet, healthy skin and no hint of an unpleasant odor.

So, dear ladies, pedicures should be done constantly, and not just in the summer. And there is no need to look for excuses and justify yourself by lack of time or lack of funds to visit a pedicure salon. This procedure is possible for any woman who does not suffer from radiculitis or is unable to reach her toes due to excess weight. And if you don’t know how to do a pedicure yourself, we strongly advise you to immediately fill this gap. So…

Execution technique

The most popular dry pedicure technique is European. It only takes 50 minutes to complete. At the first stage, feet are disinfected using gel. After this, apply a moisturizing lotion or cream with massaging movements. It is necessary for the safe removal of dead skin particles. You can add aromatic oils or abrasive scrubbing agents to them.

At the next stage, oil is applied to the nail plate to soften the cuticle. The feet are then wrapped in a plastic bag, and a sock is put on top so that the effect of the oils is activated under the influence of heat. This stage is the longest and requires 30 minutes.

At the next stage, the nails are cleaned and filed, the skin is treated with pumice. After this, they move on to processing the cuticle, which after 6 procedures practically stops growing. Thanks to this, the likelihood of hangnails and inflammation around the nail is reduced.

The last stage of European pedicure technology involves degreasing the nail plate with alcohol, after which varnish and a protective layer are applied to it.

At the end of the procedure, a nourishing cream is applied to the feet to eliminate cracks and dry skin.

The technology of European pedicure is quite simple and can be done even at home. The main thing is to choose the right equipment.

After a European pedicure procedure, your feet look flawless and retain their attractive appearance for a long time. The main advantage of the procedure is that there is no need to use a special pedicure apparatus. Manipulation is carried out with hand tools.

Author: Anastasia Gorbenko, especially for Mama66.ru

Preparing for a pedicure

Rule one. Pedicures should be done not sporadically, but systematically! If you learn this rule and treat your feet at least once every two weeks, the procedure will become familiar to you and will not take much time. Rule two. You need to prepare your feet for a pedicure and never (never!) treat dirty feet. Therefore, a little more about this preparatory stage.

First of all, you need to wash your feet. And don’t just rinse with warm water, but wash with soap and a washcloth, paying attention to the area between your fingers and using a soft brush to clean out all the excess under your nails. Be sure to remove any old nail polish if you have painted your toenails before. After this, it would be good to make a foot bath, having previously prepared the necessary tools. What tools will you need? For a quality pedicure at home you need:

pumice or grater for heels;
cuticle softening oil;
nail file;
wooden spatula for pushing back cuticles;
manicure scissors;
nail clippers;
foot scrub;
nail polish,
varnish base;
nail polish remover.

In general, that's all. In addition, prepare baking soda or ammonia for a foot bath. Now proceed to the procedure itself.

Dry hardware pedicure

The technique is recommended for feet with dry skin, deep cracks and calluses. Suitable for fungal diseases and after completion of treatment.

When working, the master uses a milling cutter, which allows him to effectively process hard-to-reach places between the fingers, and attachments for removing calluses and the deepest cracks. As in European pedicure, softeners and disinfectants are used. To remove rough layers of skin, a scalpel is used, and attachments are used to treat the feet. The nozzles have different abrasiveness, which allows you to gradually and delicately treat the skin. The cuticle is removed with a milling cutter with a diamond attachment. The procedure lasts 30-90 minutes, the treatment time depends on the degree of skin roughness. In complex cases, at least three procedures are recommended at an interval of 3 weeks.

The main stages of hardware pedicure:

Treatment with a disinfectant.
Softener treatment.
Correcting the shape of the nail using a cylindrical diamond cutter.
Treatment of cuticles and side nozzles.
Removing the cuticle using the ball attachment.
Removing calluses and corns using grinding attachments.
Removing cracks.
Applying healing ointment to treated cracks.
Foot polishing.
Treatment with nourishing lotions.

At the client's request, varnish is applied to the nails at the final stage.

Advantages of hardware pedicure:

safety, including infectious safety;
hygiene;
recommended for problem skin;
has a pronounced healing effect;
effectively removes calluses and other skin defects;
Removes ingrown nails in one procedure.

The effect of a pedicure lasts 3-4 weeks, which is a very good result.

Disadvantages of hardware pedicure:

if the technician is insufficiently experienced, there is a risk of cutting cuts in the nail;
hard cuticles can only be dealt with using forceps;
high requirements for the qualifications of the master;
not recommended for thin nail plates;

Most of the shortcomings of European and hardware pedicure can be eliminated by combining procedures. At the first visit, a hardware pedicure is recommended, which will help cope with the problems of rough skin. European pedicure is used for support and regular care. An integrated approach gives maximum effect in a short time and minimum costs.

Both types of dry pedicure better prepare your nails for polishing. When the nail plates soften in water, they lose their adhesion. This does not happen when treated with disinfectants; as a result, the nail polish after a dry pedicure lasts a really long time!

European pedicure

– a simple and reliable solution – the skin and nail plate are put in order, the legs acquire proper aesthetics. An excellent choice for summer.

Hardware pedicure

is now a classic and suitable for most clients. Together with a podiatrist, you can choose the appropriate technique.

Foot treatment

Pour hot water into a bowl, add a little baking soda or ammonia and liquid soap. Soak your feet in this soapy solution for at least fifteen minutes. During this time, the skin on your feet will steam, and corns, calluses and cuticles will become softer. Now you can start the pedicure. This procedure should always begin with treating the feet. Which foot you start with is whatever is more convenient for you. So, we wipe our leg dry, put it on a stand or place it on the knee of the other leg.

Now use a special grater to scrape off the dead skin from the heels, soles and toes. By the way, some sources advise using a safety razor for these purposes. The razor is also used in some pedicure salons. Well, this is quite acceptable, but only in very advanced cases. In general, know that if you cut off corns with a razor, then, firstly, you can easily get hurt, and secondly, with such treatment the skin will begin to roughen with double the force and speed.

Now, using a sander and scrub, once again treat all the places on your feet where there is rough skin. Or rub your feet with a pumice stone. If there are calluses, try removing them by carefully prying them off with tweezers. If this fails, then simply rub them more thoroughly with a pumice stone or scrub. Do not forget that the skin becomes rough not only on the feet, but also on the pads of the toes, as well as on the outside of the big toes. Now rinse your feet again with clean warm water, wipe dry and lubricate with nourishing cream. But after this you can start processing the nails.

Nail treatment

Lubricate the cuticle with a special liquid. Trim your nails to a moderate length using nail clippers and scissors. Cut your nails in a straight line, only slightly rounding it at the edges of the nails. You should not trim your nails too much, nor should you leave them too long. The most optimal and aesthetic length of toenails is up to half a millimeter.

Now carefully trim the rough skin on your fingers where the nail plate ends. Next, take a wooden spatula and push the cuticle towards the base of the nail. At the same time, clean off all dirt from the surface of the nail. Just do this extremely gently, taking care not to damage the nail or remove its natural protective film. If the pulled back cuticle roller is very thick, then cut it off with nail scissors. But in general, experts do not advise doing this, since the trimmed cuticle grows at twice the speed. Try scraping it off with the same wooden spatula.

Now file your nails and cover them with varnish. The polish should be applied to the base, and the nails should be painted starting from the thumb. Then coat the little finger and the rest of the fingers with varnish one by one, moving from the little finger to the thumb. If you want to have a massage, then you need to do it before you start painting your nails. Before the massage, lubricate your feet with nourishing cream, and before covering your nails, degrease the nail plate.

That's all. The whole procedure will not take you that much time and effort. And in addition to excellent results, you will also get pleasure. After all, in fact, pedicure is not only a useful procedure, but also a pleasant one. And don’t forget that caring for the health of your feet should not be limited to just a pedicure.

Rules for applying varnish

The final stage of the pedicure is the application of varnish. When choosing a color scheme, of course, each woman relies solely on her own taste. But no matter what varnish you choose, remember that the coating will be ideal only if you apply a caring colorless enamel under the main shade.

So, the stages of applying varnish:

Remove any old pedicure residue.
Degrease the nail plate with any alcohol-containing product.
To make the covering as neat as possible, it is necessary to place a separating plate between the toes.
Apply a protective coating to your nails.
After the base has completely dried, you can apply the main color. Pedicurists recommend applying colored varnish in two layers, with the second layer applied only after the first has completely dried.
To extend the life of the varnish coating, fix the result with a fixative varnish.

That's it, your perfect home pedicure is ready!

Taking care of the health of your feet

Women's legs require a reverent attitude. Therefore, they constantly need to be groomed and cherished. In order for them to always look healthy and well-groomed, and to make their existence more comfortable, there are many modern cosmetics and preparations. Today, various manufacturers offer a wide selection of cosmetic, preventive and therapeutic foot care products. Which one should you prefer?

When choosing cosmetics, experts advise not to save money and buy only high-quality products. More recently, fortunately for us, a pain-relieving gel for toes has appeared, which quickly relieves all the unpleasant sensations associated with standing for a long time in narrow stilettos. Among the innovations in decorative and hygienic cosmetics, we can highlight, for example, nail polish, which contains only natural plant ingredients, cuticle softening oil, or delicate foot rubs.

Despite the fact that today many women regularly get pedicures and devote a lot of time to taking care of the beauty of their nails, not every one of them can boast of impeccably well-groomed feet. Often, even the most expensive moisturizing creams cannot relieve the feet from itching and flaking of the skin. Therefore, if you have problems with the health of the skin of your feet, you should not put off visiting a doctor. Perhaps the reason lies in a fungal disease. According to statistics, every fifth woman suffers from this disease.

As a rule, antifungal drugs are prescribed to treat fungal diseases, one of which is Lamisil. It will take at least two weeks to completely get rid of the disease, but improvement is observed within 4 hours after the first use of the cream. In general, often inquire at pharmacies and cosmetic stores for new products or already proven foot care products. Believe me, well-groomed legs will make you feel like a real lady. After all, a true lady is always well-groomed from head to toe. Stay beautiful always and in spite of everything!

If a girl wants to look attractive, then the pedicure procedure becomes as important as manicure and makeup. Even if you wear closed shoes, the feeling that your feet are well-groomed and you don’t have to blush during an unplanned visit will give you confidence and peace of mind.

In addition, a pedicure will help
with rough skin and other foot troubles
. As a result, you have well-groomed and healthy legs.

To properly care for your feet, it is not at all necessary to visit a salon; you can carry out the necessary procedures at home

. I do ballroom dancing, and the way my legs look is important to me. It’s expensive to go to the salon every week, so I easily mastered the necessary skills as a pedicurist at home. I share with you the most important points.

What do you need for a pedicure at home?

Before you start your pedicure, make sure you have all the necessary tools.

. Collect them all in one place so you don't have to look for any small items.

So you'll need a range of things

Finger separators.
Nail polish remover (use this to remove previously applied polish).
A hot tub (if not, use a basin) to steam your feet.
Shower gel.
Essential oils.
Towel.
Cream (scrub and cream for moisturizing feet).
Tweezers.
3 types of nail files: regular, abrasive and polishing.
Orange tree sticks (to remove cuticles).
Pedicure scraper (if not, you can use pumice).
Foot massage mat.

Rules for home pedicure

Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to eliminate the common mistakes that girls make when doing a home manicure.

Home pedicure mistakes

Do not use hot water to soften your feet. Intensive separation of dead cells can do a disservice and dry out the foot. For the procedure, barely warm water is used, no more than 35 degrees.

You cannot remove corns and calluses with metal objects, much less cut them off with scissors. This is a common mistake of women doing pedicures on their own. Such removal of keratinized areas of the epidermis often leads to disastrous consequences. Calluses grow even more intensely, and corns deepen.

To remove keratinized areas on your feet, use only a pumice stone, a special scraper or foot scrub.

Don't trim your cuticles. By removing the cuticle in such a barbaric way, you risk injury and infection under the skin. In addition, trimming the cuticle promotes its rapid growth. It is recommended to remove excess skin near the nail plate with a special wooden stick.

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To prevent the nail from growing into the skin, do not cut off its corners. Toenails should be trimmed strictly in a straight line.

Set of tools for home pedicure

To do a pedicure at home, it is not necessary to purchase expensive hardware devices. However, you will still need a mandatory set of tools for the procedure.

It includes:

Massage mat for feet . The covering of the rug imitates the seabed, covered with pebbles. It perfectly stimulates blood circulation and massages the desired points of the feet.

A special scraper or pumice. It is better to purchase scrapers in specialized stores so as not to injure the skin. In addition, only a professional scraper can turn your legs into a work of art.

A set of wooden sticks and cuticle blades , of course, it is best if they are orange wood sticks.

Plastic or glass nail file.

Finger separator.

Polishing file for nails and feet.

Performing a home pedicure, step by step

Steam the legs in slightly warm water. To make the procedure even more effective, you can add sea salt and any soap substance to the water. Take a foot bath for 15–20 minutes.

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Afterwards, the dead cells are carefully removed with a scraper. Then wipe the legs dry and proceed to the second stage.

The overgrown nail is cut strictly in a straight line to avoid ingrown nails later. A square nail is the standard shape.

File the edge of the nail plate with a non-metallic file. Gently push the cuticle towards the base of the nail using a wooden stick or spatula. To make the procedure easier, you can use a special cuticle softener.

Using a pedicure spatula, clean the nail from any remaining keratinized epidermis. Using a wooden stick, remove dirt from under the nail plate.

In order for the nail polish to adhere perfectly, you need to polish your nails with a special polishing file.

What is the best way to steam your feet for a pedicure?

For the pedicure procedure, you need to prepare your feet. To steam your feet, use a hydromassage foot bath

or use a regular basin. Prepare (30°-40°C) warm water, it is important that it is tolerable, but not hot. Dissolve bath salts in water and add shower gel or shampoo. You can make a relaxing or tonic bath, depending on your desires and needs.

Remove and thoroughly wipe your feet with a towel. If you do not get the desired effect, repeat the procedure.

Useful secrets

Useful tips from experts will help you achieve good results and preserve the beauty of your nails for a long time:

You should not decorate your nails with a lot of sparkles and sequins, otherwise it will ruin their appearance.
Nail polish will dry faster if you soak your fingertips in cold water for a few minutes. You cannot use a hairdryer to dry the varnish - it is dangerous.
In order not to waste time on baths, it is recommended to do a pedicure immediately after a shower, since the feet are already steamed.
It is necessary to disinfect your feet after each stage of treatment.
The color of pedicure polish is chosen depending on fashion, skin tone and overall look.

There is nothing difficult about doing a pedicure yourself. If you make this a habit, your legs will always look beautiful.