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As a rule, women tend to get a pedicure in summer more often because they wear open-toed shoes. But feet need to be taken care of in other seasons too, though not as often. To make sure that your visit to a nail salon meets your expectations, it’s worth knowing a few important rules.

1. Don’t shave your legs 3 days before getting a pedicure.

You shouldn’t shave your legs at least a day (or better 3 days) before getting a pedicure. Even small cuts and scratches on the skin can become a “doorway” for bacteria. Although the risk of skin infection with streptococcus or staphylococcus in a nail salon is quite low but not zero.

2. Don’t cut your toenails before getting a pedicure.

Don’t cut your toenails if you are going to get a pedicure anytime soon because it will be more difficult for the technician to make it right after this. And if you cut your nails too short or give them an odd shape, there’s a possibility that the technician won’t be able to fix this.

3. Don’t cut the cuticle.

The cuticle is the thin skin at the base of the nail plate. Sometimes it can overgrow and become quite thick, although this doesn’t happen really often. In most cases, it’s best to leave the cuticle alone and let it perform its protective function.

4. Come to the procedure a bit early to check if the place is good enough.

It’s best to arrive early for your procedure, especially if you are visiting this nail salon for the first time. This way, you can see how the technician disinfects the foot bath and instruments after their clients. It’s worth knowing that the sanitation cycle takes at least 10 minutes.

5. Pay attention to ventilation and lighting.

Make sure the salon has enough light and is well ventilated. It’s best to avoid places that are dark and smell musty. It’s unlikely that you’d want to inhale germs during your relaxing pedicure session.

6. Don’t soak your feet if you have health problems.

Most foot treatments begin with a nice long soak in warm water. In some salons, feet are wrapped in hot towels instead. But you should know that people with diabetes should avoid this step, or soak their feet in a bath for just 3–5 minutes, in cool water. The fact is that if a person has type 2 diabetes, soaking their feet can actually cause them to dry up, and when they have wounds, it produces an environment that is more prone to infection.

7. Come with your own instruments.

If you’re very sensitive about your health and hygiene, it’s a good idea to have your own pedicure instruments. Some salons even allow storing them, so that you don’t have to bring them every time. And this will help you reduce the risk of infection.

8. Ask what products the tech uses.

It’s also important to know what products the technician uses. If you see a mysterious jar without a label, it’s a sure sign that there may be a cheap cream inside. At least, ask what kind of product it is and what brand it is. A low-quality product won’t moisturize your skin properly or do you any good.

9. Wear suitable shoes.

Even if you think your nail polish has dried, it may not have dried completely because this can take up to several hours. And if you come to the salon wearing narrow-toed shoes, there’s a good chance you’ll ruin your fresh pedicure. It’s also a bad idea to wear wedges or heels because they create excessive pressure on your toes, which can lead to chafing. And the skin becomes much thinner and more delicate after the procedure. Plus, there’s a risk of ruining the fresh nail polish.

It would be great if you could leave the nail salon wearing something like slippers, flip-flops or other open-toed shoes (you can bring them with you if you’ve come to the salon after work). These shoes prevent your toes from coming into contact with each other and allow air to circulate around the polish, speeding up the drying process.

10. Don’t talk on the phone during the procedure.

Many people consider a pedicure a relaxing procedure during which they can take their minds off their worries and enjoy the moment. Some clients prefer to read magazines, listen to their favorite music or podcast in headphones, while others just talk over the phone, distracting everyone else and primarily the technician. Even if you’re talking using your headphones, it’s unlikely that other clients will be able to fully relax by listening to your conversation.

If you do need to talk to someone, use text messaging and remember to mute incoming notifications.

11. Get a pedicure more often if you have to stand a lot.

The frequency of your visits to a nail salon depends on how you take care of your feet and what lifestyle you lead. If you keep your feet moisturized and don’t work in harsh conditions, you can get a pedicure once a month or a little less frequently.

If you have to stand a lot and work in open-toed shoes, then you expose your feet to dust and dirt, so you may need to get a pedicure every 2 weeks. But if you want your beautiful pedicure to last longer, it’s a good idea to wear closed shoes if possible.

12. Don’t forget to use lotion.

There is a great way to help your pedicure last longer and also give your skin a well-groomed look. All you need to do is to apply your favorite moisturizing lotion to your feet a few times a week, put on comfortable socks and keep them on for about 30 minutes.

By the way, manicure lovers should be aware of a few things too. To get a perfect manicure and make a good impression on the technician, just follow these 10 simple rules.

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