6 Tips For A DIY Pedicure

The pedicure, compared to the manicure, requires some specific steps, which the hands only sometimes need. The feet have a different morphology and problems from the hands, and for this reason, they must be treated differently.  Here, then, are 6  tips for doing a DIY pedicure.

How To Do A DIY Pedicure

First of all, it is necessary to distinguish between :

1. Healing pedicure: the foot is often subjected to stress and strain, mainly linked to inappropriate footwear, which can lead to the onset of calluses or ingrown toenails. Therefore, this also means reducing the risk of fungi and minor infections ; 
2. aesthetic pedicure: aesthetic pedicure takes care of more than the beauty of the foot: smooth and polished skin, pleasant touch, well-groomed nails, and perhaps some nail polish applied.

The ideal would be to make the health and beauty of the foot go hand in hand.  As for the steps to follow for a do-it-yourself pedicure, here are 6 valuable tips:

1. Clean and soften your feet: remove any nail polish residue with a solvent and wash your feet with a delicate, natural soap. Then immerse your feet in a basin of warm water, with the addition of a spoonful of rice starch;
2. Cut and file your nails: shorten your nails according to your taste and comfort (also based on the footwear you are used to wearing) without cutting too deeply. If the nails are already the desired length, refine with a file;
3. Remove cuticles: cuticles are that part of the skin at the base of the nail, which tends to thicken over time, resulting in an unsightly appearance. They must be pushed downwards with the stick, taking care not to hurt themselves ;
4. Apply a nail oil: a nourishing and specific nail oil (castor or jojoba) is ideal for strengthening and profoundly nourishing the nails. The oil should be massaged delicately for a few minutes until thoroughly absorbed;
5. Apply a moisturizing foot cream; finally, apply a nourishing cream. A natural product is better, without silicones, parabens, or petrolatum. It can be applied every day, especially in the presence of dry skin.

Furthermore, to take care of your feet, you can also use other measures :

1. Apply protective base and nail polish: optional and purely aesthetic phase. The base protects against the risk of yellow marks that the color of the nail polish can cause on the nails and must be left to dry completely before applying the color;
2. Make a beauty mask: this option is also optional, but if the feet are damaged or subject to irritation, it can help smooth the skin (exfoliating mask), have a regenerating action (if it is nourishing and anti-aging) or healing ( if soothing) to reduce skin inflammation. Apply the mask to your feet and leave it to act for 10 minutes. Rinse when finished.

Nail Tips

For those who want to pay particular attention to their nails, here is some helpful advice:

1. Remove old nail polish: use a cotton wool pad soaked in good nail polish remover (without acetone). Soak your feet in warm water to soften your nails, and push away the cuticles with a trimmer (or cuticle remover). Apply cuticle oil.
2. File your nails: when you don’t need to cut your nails, define the shape with a file. Proceed by filing from the center towards the outside of the nail. We recommend a glass or metal file for sturdy nails, wood for fragile nails, and cardboard for minor touch-ups.
3. Apply the new nail polish: in addition to applying the protective base, you can choose the nail polish of the color you prefer, perhaps adding decorations and finally protecting, all with a layer of top coat. A nail polish fixer can make your pedicure last longer.

Tips For Heels

Heels become dehydrated, resulting in thick, damaged skin.  The ideal, therefore, would be to apply a moisturizing cream daily to prevent and reduce flakiness and dehydration. A scrub is also perfect for removing dead cells, combating rough and thick skin on the heels, and restoring microcirculation. Finally, it is possible to use a pumice stone, passed after the foot bath, on the most challenging parts of the foot. Alternatively, you can use a stiff bristle brush or loofah glove for extra exfoliation.

Tips For Calluses/Corns 

Corns and calluses are both blemishes of the foot due to the thickening of the skin (hyperkeratosis) due to excessive body pressure on specific areas (such as the feet).

Calluses are present on large areas of the foot and sometimes appear due to rubbing with shoes that are too tight ;

1. Calluses, on the other hand, have a circular shape and are typical of some areas of the foot, points where it undergoes more significant pressure.
2. To remove both, you must first perform a foot bath and scrub, paying particular attention to the areas affected by calluses and calluses, after which, if you want to proceed with the removal of calluses and calluses yourself, you need to purchase a professional machine with rotating heads, following the instructions.

DIY Pedicure Tools And Instruments

For perfect DIY foot care, some helpful tools are:

1. Nail file: it can be disposable and made of cardboard, glass, or metal. To be disinfected after each use;
2. scissors (or nail clippers): the former are more precise, and the latter gives more regular cuts;
3. cuticle sticks: found in orange wood or metal; they must be disinfected every time;
4. foot masks: depending on the type, they have a different beneficial action on the foot;
5. foot oils: strengthening and rich in vitamins, they promote healthy foot skin;
6. foot cream: to be used both for pedicures and as a daily treatment;
7. nail polish base: vital if you want to apply colored nail polish;
8. enamel: optional, depending on your taste;
9. solvent: remember to choose one that does not contain acetone, which is too corrosive for nails.

The pedicure can be performed every week or every two weeks, depending on your needs and conditions, so the intervention of an expert may be appropriate.

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