The Ultimate Guide to Pedicures: How to do a Pedicure in 4 Steps

Why are Pedicures Important?

Pedicures will help you maintain healthy skin and nails, and may prevent fungus and infections. By getting pedicures regularly, you improve blood circulation and remove debris that builds up.

If you struggle with foot issues, such as calluses and corns, pedicures are one of the best options for addressing these problems early on. This allows for safe and painless removal; however, serious foot issues may require medical attention.

You also rely on your feet for support, so it’s important that you maintain a proper foot care routine. Avoiding foot care can you put yourself at risk for developing infections, ingrown toenails, and more. These can cause other issues including joint and leg pain.

Steps to do a Pedicure

Whether you’re doing a pedicure at home or at the salon, knowing how to do them properly is important for your safety and health. Doing pedicures incorrectly can potentially cause bacterial infections, ingrown toenails, and foot fungus.

Follow these steps for the perfect pedicure:

• Exfoliate cuticle with the Long & Lean bit
• Remove debris with nylon brush
• Clean the lateral folds with the Unicorn bit
• Cut toenails

Step #1: Exfoliate Cuticle With the Long & Lean Bit

To remove the sticky cuticle, run the long & lean bit in medium grit at 10,000 RPM. Once the sticky cuticle is removed, lower the speed to 5,000 RPM.

If you’re applying gel polish after the pedicure, prep the nail by removing the “shine” from the nail plate. Remember that for product application, we want to rough the nail, not buff. This will help the gel polish adhere to the surface.

Step #2: Remove Debris

Spray alcohol on the nails, and use a nylon brush to remove the debris. Brush towards the client in a circular motion.

Step #3: Clean the Lateral Folds With the Unicorn Bit

Since the lateral folds are harder to reach spaces, use the unicorn bit in medium grit for exfoliation. Run the bit parallel to the nail plate at 10,000 RPM. If you’re trying to exfoliate thick skin (ex: around the pinky toe), increase RPM to 14,000 instead of doing multiple passes.

For a quicker service, only go in one direction (forward or reverse). If you have time for more meticulous work, you may go in both forward and reverse (Note: Go in the forward direction if you’re working from right to left, and reverse if you’re working from left to right).

Step #4: Cut Toenails

Grab your toenail cutters and do small bites across the overgrown nail. Before starting this part of the service, ask your client how short they want their toenails. Smooth the rugged nail with the diamond hand file. Remove debris with the nylon brush.

To see these steps in action, check out our pedicure YouTube video.

*BONUS Step #5*

Whether you applied gel polish to the toenails, painted them, or left them natural, hydrate the cuticles with lunu-luxe cuticle oil. Drop 1 drop of oil on the cuticle of each toenail. Massage the oil into the skin.

Conclusion

The perfect pedicure does not have to be difficult to achieve. By following these steps and using high-quality nail bits and implements, you can significantly improve foot health for either yourself or your clients.

Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for more pedicure and manicure tips!