9 Types of Pedicure to Try for Happy and Healthy Feet

From the unique fish pedicure to classy french pedicure to luxurious spa pedicure, check out these 9 types of pedicure to pamper your feet with!

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Hello hello! It’s the festive season and also the perfect time to pamper yourself. You need to have a self-care routine that helps you relax. Pedicures are the best way to unwind your day with. A good pedi sesh relaxes and soothes your body. It’s a part of a beauty regimen and most women love getting pedicures not only to maintain pretty foot but to relax, too!

Personally, I’m a fan of a pedicure. I don’t visit salons much but I don’t mind getting a pedicure once in a while to lighten my day. Now, with the pandemic, we’re unsure of the safety measures at the salon. Of course, you can book an at-home beautician.

Or, you can create a spa or salon experience yourself right at your home. Yes, since most of us are working from home, we can take a day off and rejuvenate to relieve stress. So, you can have a pedicure routine every month and even can offer the services to your loved ones 😉 We have curated different types of pedicure for you. Let’s check out!

What is a Pedicure?

A pedicure is a treatment for feet and toenails where the dead skin cells are scrubbed at the bottom of the feet. This procedure also relaxes the foot muscles by massaging. Later, the nails are trimmed to the desired shape.

A pedicure is also a practice of good hygiene as we tend to ignore our feet, which are often exposed to dirt.

Benefits of a Pedicure

Here are a few benefits of pedicure –

Improves blood circulation – During a pedicure, you will also massage your feet and that helps in blood circulation. This helps in evenly distributing heat throughout the body.

Provides relaxation – Feet have to withstand your entire body weight. Excessive standing and walking can put undue pressure on them. A pedicure relieves stress and helps in the relaxation of our feet.

Maintains foot health – We can maintain healthy feet with good hygiene practices. While getting a pedicure, your feet will be scrubbed and cleaned thoroughly, which keeps your feet healthy.

Keeps your nails and cuticles clean and healthy – Fungal infections are caused due to moisture, especially in between the toes and on nails. Pedicure helps to keep your nails clean and healthy.

Improves the appearance of your feet – Who doesn’t love to have pretty feet?! Getting a pedicure often enhances the look of your feet. From scrubbing the dead skin to brushing away the impurities from your feet. A pedicure improves the look and feel of your feet.

Helps to get rid of dry and chapped feet – Dry and chapped feet are a big turnoff. Soaking and exfoliation help get rid of dead skin to make room for new cells. Ideally, the scrubbing should be done once a week with or without a pedicure.

Types of Pedicure

There are various types of pedicure that you can choose from. We have rounded off top pedicures that you can try!

Types of pedicure collage

1. Regular Pedicure

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A regular pedicure is the most basic type of pedicure. Clipping your nails, shaping them, soaking your feet in warm water, and moisturizing. It’s that simple! You can do it yourself right at your home once in 15 days. It’s super relaxing and gives an instant makeover to your feet. This type of pedicure is well-suited for people who need a low maintenance routine.

Steps:

  • Soak your feet in warm water for about 15 minutes and follow with a foot scrub. You can use a mild or strong scrubber as per the requirement. Scrub on top of your feet and the soles.
  • It is followed by clipping your nails, shaping or filing the edges, pushing of cuticles, foot massage, moisturizing, and applying a nail polish if you wish. Alternatively, you can just rub some olive oil on your nails and cuticles and leave them out for ten minutes so they can naturally soak in the moisture.

Duration:

The entire session of a regular or a standard pedicure takes about 30 minutes.

How long does it last?

A standard pedicure lasts up to two weeks.

How to remove it?

You can remove the nail polish using a nail polish remover.

Is it safe for nails?

Yes, absolutely! A regular pedicure helps keep the feet clean and healthy.

2. Gel Pedicure

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Don’t we all prefer that our nail paint should last for a long time?! Well, gel pedicure is your answer. A regular pedicure and this one are similar types of pedicure. The unique thing about this it is the UV light that helps cure the gel or nail polish between each coating. And a final top coat is applied to set the polish.

Steps:

  • The first step is similar to the regular pedicure where your feet are soaked in warm water and scrubbed. It is followed by clipping, shaping, pushing of cuticles and a foot massage.
  • The main difference is in the application of nail paint. A base coat is applied and instead of air drying the paint, your feet are placed under a UV light. With each coat, your feet should be placed under UV light for 30 seconds. This process is repeated thrice.
  • Finally, a glossy top coat is applied for that everlasting shiny look!

Duration:

A gel pedicure session will take up to 45 minutes.

How long does it last?

This type of pedicure should last for at least four weeks.

How to remove it?

Removing gel nail polish is a bit tricky. It’s better to get it done at a salon. Here’s how it’s done at home. Place an acetone-soaked cotton ball on top of your nail, then wrap a small piece of aluminum foil around your nail to hold the cotton ball in place. Leave this for 15-20 minutes as the nail polish remover does the job.

Is it safe for nails?

It’s absolutely safe if you be cautious while removing the nail polish. This is the crucial step as you may end up peeling your top layer of the nail. So, it’s better to get it done by a professional. Also, be mindful of spacing out how often you get the gel pedicure done.

3. Fish Pedicure

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This type of pedicure is slightly unconventional method of treating your feet. You will be dipping your feet in an aquarium filled with tiny fish. The best part of this type of pedicure is that it’s sustainable and there is no usage of chemicals. It’s natural and organic, which is good for you and the environment, too!

A fish pedicure should be done by a qualified salon and a professional. This type of pedicure makes your feet feel baby soft and rejuvenated. Let’s look at how it’s done.

Steps:

  • Your feet and ankles will be soaked inside a container that has fish. Before soaking in, your feet will be inspected to ensure there are no open cuts or wounds.
  • Once you dip your feet in, the fish will flock to all areas on your feet with dead skin. Then your feet will be rinsed off, and a regular pedicure will continue.

Duration:

The session generally lasts 15 or 30 minutes.

How long does it last?

This type of pedicure will last for about two weeks.

How to remove it?

You can remove the nail polish using a nail polish remover.

Is it safe for nails?

This type of pedicure is safe if you get it done at a professional salon. The fish pedicure tubs need to be sanitized regularly throughout the day. So, always choose a qualified salon. You need to be extra careful if you’re diabetic or have any open wounds on your feet.

4. Salt Pedicure

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Salt pedicure is a semi-natural type of pedicure. Instead of using an exfoliator or a scrubber, salt acts as the scrub. The salt is used to get rid of dead cells and dirt from your feet.

Steps:

  • The process is similar to a regular pedicure. The only difference is adding sea or rock salt to the warm water while soaking. The salt acts as an antioxidant to remove the dead cells.
  • After soaking the feet in the water, salt is used to scrub away the impurities with a gentle massage.
  • Finally, a moisture mask is applied and rinsed thoroughly. Later, nail polish is applied the same as the standard pedicure.

Duration:

The session will last for 30 minutes.

How long does it last?

The salt pedicure will last for two weeks.

How to remove it?

You can remove the nail polish using a nail polish remover.

Is it safe for nails?

Since the exfoliator is a natural ingredient, this type of pedicure is completely safe.

5. Chocolate Pedicure

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Chocolate pedicure is like a dream come true for all chocolate lovers. If you have got a sweet tooth, you should give this a try for sure. The specialty of using chocolate in the skin or personal care regimen is that it helps in moisturizing the skin well. It also acts as an antioxidant. The main feature of this type of pedicure is the aroma of the chocolate that will relax you.

The process is similar to a regular pedicure but with ingredients that have chocolate in their composition. Let’s take a look.

Steps:

  • It starts with a foot bath in warm chocolate and feet are scrubbed with a chocolate-based scrubber. Later, a cocoa mask is applied and massaged.
  • After removing the mask, the feet are given a final rub down with a rich chocolate moisturizer.
  • You can apply nail paint or just leave the nails plain as it is.

Duration:

A chocolate pedicure session lasts for 45 minutes.

How long does it last?

The pedicure will last for 20 days.

How to remove it?

You can remove the nail polish using a nail polish remover.

Is it safe for nails?

Yes, it is completely safe for nails.

6. Mini Pedicure

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A mini pedicure is a minimized version of a regular pedicure. It just sticks to the basics of grooming. A mini pedicure consists of cleaning, cutting, and polishing your toenails. This type of pedicure is well-suited for people who are busy and have difficulty in managing time.

In fact, you can do it yourself at home as there is no exfoliation or massaging involved.

Steps:

  • The first step involves shaping and trimming of nails, followed by cuticle grooming and polish application.
  • You can also apply a moisturizer before the polish application to moisturize your feet.

Duration:

This is one of the quickest types of pedicure and should be done in 15 minutes.

How long does it last?

This type of pedicure will last for 15 days but since you’re not exfoliating and massaging, your feet may tend to dry. So, you should keep mixing it up with a regular pedicure or moisturize your feet regularly.

How to remove it?

You can remove the nail polish using a nail polish remover.

Is it safe for nails?

Yes, it’s safe.

7. Waterless Pedicure

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This is a basic type of pedicure but without the usage of water. Instead of soaking your feet in the water, your feet are covered with a sanitizing spray and then followed by wrapping in warm towels and plastic.

This method is the most sustainable among all types of pedicure as there is less usage of water and is more effective in places where there are water restrictions. The preparation and process are less messy as there is no water dripping on the floor. Plus, it is hygienic and environmentally friendly. I would recommend the waterless procedure while choosing different types of pedicure.

Steps:

  • Your nails are trimmed and your feet are covered with a sanitizing spray. This is followed by scrubbing your feet and wrapping them in warm damp towels and cleaning with the same towel.
  • Your feet and legs are massaged with a lotion and the nails are cleaned to get rid of any excess lotion.
  • You can apply a base coat and allow it to dry.  Add any polish of your choice or leave it as it is.

Duration:

The process may take up to 30 minutes.

How long does it last?

It lasts for 20 days.

How to remove it?

You can remove the polish with a nail polish remover.

Is it safe for nails?

Yes, it’s safe.

8. Spa Pedicure

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A spa pedicure is similar to a regular pedicure but is longer and it depends on the add-on service that you add. A spa pedicure is perfect way to pamper yourself.

You can choose from a various range of services that the salon or a spa has to offer. From paraffin waxes to hydrating mask to hot towel wrap, there are a lot of options available.

Your feet will feel luxurious and all pampered. You can choose the spa one in types of pedicure if you have any special event coming up.

Steps:

  • The initial steps of soaking your feet in warm water, clipping your nails, cleaning your cuticles are similar to a regular pedicure. This is followed by scrubbing the dead skin cells.
  • The wax is heated up for use and your feet are dipped in the wax and allowed to rest for half an hour. Later, the wax is peeled off and a hydrating mask is applied or a hot towel is wrapped.
  • Many spas may have all these steps or only have a few of them.

Duration:

This will be the longest duration in types of pedicure, which may last from 45 to 60 minutes.

How long does it last?

Spa pedicures will last for 30 days.

How to remove it?

You can remove the polish with a nail polish remover.

Is it safe for nails?

Yes, it’s safe.

9. French Pedicure

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Want to look chic and polished, try a French pedicure. This is the classiest nail trend among all different types of pedicure. It is similar to a regular pedicure but the only difference is the application of the nail polish.

Steps:

  • After the regular pedicure, apply a clear or nude base coat to the nails then followed by solid white-colored nail polish on just the tips of your nails. You’re all set! You can also combine the French pedi with square-shaped toe nails or with a French mani.

Duration:

The session is up to 30 minutes.

How long does it last?

French pedicures will last for 20 days.

How to remove it?

You can remove the polish with a nail polish remover.

Is it safe for nails?

Yes, it’s safe.

So, these were different types of pedicure for you! Share with us your thoughts and your favorite pedicure by tweeting us at @shilpa1ahuja.

Read next:

11 Different Types of Nail Manicure to Try Out

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