A "Foot Note" in History
Where and when pedicures began is up for some debate, but there are in fact cave paintings that seem to depict ancient Egyptians performing some sort of hand and foot manipulations. This in turn leads one to wonder, if the Egyptians were the first to find the health and wellness benefits of massage and care for the foot. The word pedicure is known to have come from the Latin words pedis, meaning the foot and cura which means care.
Going to the salon and getting a pedicure is just as popular as going in for a manicure in today's fashion-conscious world. A pedicure is a wonderful way to be sure that your feet and toenails remain clean and healthy. By removing dead skin cells on the bottoms of the feet and heels through the use of a pumice stone and the cleaning of toenails with other standard pedicure implements.
The majority of men and women who get regular or occasional pedicures often will have the salon specialist paint their toenails especially in the summer months when sandals and flip-flops are worn. A professional pedicure not only gives your feet a healthy makeover but it is also one of the most soothing and relaxing treatments you will ever have.
The process of the pedicure begins with a foot bath along with exfoliation, both are done simultaneously. After that foot is gently dried with the help of clean, germfree towels and some deep action moisturizers are applied. Now for the nails, a cotton pad soaked with nail-polish remover is used to take off old polish. After the old polish is removed toenails are clipped straight across with clippers and a nail file is used to smooth the edges, including the sides.
Feet are soaked again in the hot water for five minutes, and then they are rested on the edge of the foot bath. A foot file is dipped in the water, and then it is used to smooth heels, the balls of feet and the outsides of pinkie toes. Now they are patted dry with a clean towel. To get cuticles under control a nail brush dipped in an exfoliating scrub is applied where nail meets skin to clean the area.
Feet are again rinsed and dried; now a generous amount of super-moisturizing foot lotion or cream is applied and massaged into feet and calves. Feet and leg massage are an important part of pedicures. The technique helps to relax the person having the treatment. Foot reflexology is extensively used while giving the foot massage; it relieves many nerves that end in feet. Therapists may also massage with hot stones in their hands, and use special creams that have menthol in them and which are said to help rejuvenate the foot. The moisturizer is now washed off the toenails with soap and water and then dried.
Now it time for the beautification of the nails; space is created between toes with a foam toe separator and one coat of base coat, two coats of color and one coat of top coat is applied to the nails. Nail-polish remover is applied to remove any polish that missed the target and is on the skin. Polish is now allowed to dry for a few hours before putting on close-toed shoes. It is advisable to apply one coat of top coat three days after the pedicure, then every third day after that to keep polish from chipping. If feet are going to be exposed in the sun, a top coat with sunscreen keeps the polish from fading.