What is done in a pedicure?

### Initial Consultation and Foot Assessment Pedicures begin with examination of your feet, identifying any problem areas requiring special attention: thick calluses, ingrown toenails, corns, cracked heels, fungal infections, or structural issues affecting foot health. This assessment ensures treatment addresses your specific concerns rather than applying generic protocols regardless of individual foot conditions. The technician discusses your preferences for nail shape, length, and polish color while noting any sensitivities, allergies, or medical conditions affecting foot care. People with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, or circulatory problems receive modified treatment avoiding aggressive techniques that could cause injury or infection in compromised feet. This consultation stage establishes realistic expectations about what single treatments can achieve versus what requires ongoing care. Severely neglected feet may need multiple pedicures to fully address accumulated callus buildup and nail problems, while well-maintained feet benefit from relatively simple maintenance treatments. ### Soaking and Softening Phase Feet soak in warm water enhanced with salts, oils, or specialized foot soaks for 10-15 minutes—longer than manicure soaking because foot skin is thicker and requires more softening. This extended soak hydrates hardened skin for easier removal, softens toenail cuticles for safe manipulation, and begins the relaxation aspect that makes pedicures therapeutic. Quality foot soaks include Epsom salts drawing out toxins and reducing inflammation, essential oils providing aromatherapy and antibacterial properties, or mineral salts nourishing skin. Some formulations target specific concerns: tea tree oil for fungal prevention, lavender for relaxation, peppermint for refreshing sensation. The soaking water temperature matters significantly—warm enough to soften effectively but not hot enough to cause swelling or discomfort. Professional pedicurists maintain optimal temperatures throughout the soak, sometimes adding warm water as the initial temperature cools, ensuring consistent softening action. Old toenail polish removal occurs either before or during soaking, using appropriate removers for regular or gel polish. Complete removal allows proper nail and nail bed assessment for health issues requiring attention before polish application conceals them. ### Toenail Care and Shaping Toenail trimming uses professional nail clippers designed for thick toenails, cutting straight across rather than following curved nail shapes. This straight cutting technique prevents the ingrown toenails that occur when curved cutting encourages nail edges to grow into surrounding skin. The cut length leaves nails extending slightly past the toe tip—trimming too short creates pain, ingrown nail risk, and leaves toes vulnerable to pressure and injury. Professional technicians understand the balance between aesthetic short nails and functional protective length. Nail filing smooths cut edges using professional files, preventing the sharp corners and rough edges that snag on socks and bedding. The filing also refines nail shape and removes any minor splitting or layering at nail edges. Proper filing technique uses single-direction strokes rather than sawing back-and-forth motions that weaken nails. Nail buffing creates smooth toenail surface for polish application, addressing ridges and uneven texture. However, conservative buffing prevents dangerous thinning—toenails serve protective functions and require sufficient thickness to shield sensitive toe tips from pressure and impact. ### Cuticle Treatment Cuticle softener application breaks down the sticky dead skin adhering to toenail plates, requiring several minutes to work effectively. This specialized solution allows safe cuticle manipulation without the damage caused by pushing or cutting unsoftened cuticles. Gentle cuticle pushing uses wooden or rubber-tipped tools moving cuticles back toward nail base, revealing more nail and creating clean nail beds. Toenail cuticles tend to be thicker and tougher than fingernail cuticles, requiring more careful softening before manipulation to prevent damage. Cuticle trimming addresses excess dead tissue and hangnails with sterilized nippers, removing only what's genuinely excess without cutting living cuticle tissue that protects nail growth from infection. Over-aggressive toenail cuticle cutting creates higher infection risk than fingernail cutting because feet encounter more bacteria in shoes and socks. Cuticle oil or conditioning cream massages into toenail cuticles, preventing the dry, cracked cuticles that can tear and cause pain when walking or wearing shoes. Regular conditioning maintains the protective barrier cuticles provide while keeping them flexible rather than brittle. ### Callus and Hard Skin Removal Callus assessment identifies areas of excessive hard skin buildup—typically heels, ball of foot, and outer edges of big toes and little toes. Calluses develop as natural protection in high-pressure areas, but excessive buildup becomes painful and can crack, creating infection entry points. Professional callus removal uses specialized tools: foot files, pumice stones, or electric callus removers that safely reduce thickness. The key is gradual reduction rather than aggressive removal attempting to eliminate calluses completely. Some protective callus should remain—complete removal can cause pain and actually trigger accelerated callus regrowth as feet try to restore protection. Heel treatment addresses the thick, dry skin prone to cracking. Careful filing reduces thickness while moisturizing treatment penetrates remaining skin, preventing the painful heel fissures that can bleed and become infected. Severely cracked heels may require multiple treatments to fully resolve. The removal technique matters enormously for safety and effectiveness. Professional technicians work carefully, frequently checking progress to avoid over-removal that can cause bleeding, pain, or skin sensitivity. Never should callus removal hurt or leave feet feeling raw—these indicate excessive removal. ### Exfoliation and Scrub Treatment Foot and lower leg scrubbing using sugar or salt scrubs removes dead skin cells, smooths rough texture, and improves circulation. This exfoliation extends beyond callused areas, addressing the entire foot surface and typically including lower legs to mid-calf. The scrubbing technique uses circular motions with moderate pressure, sufficient for effective exfoliation without skin irritation. Extra attention to rough areas like heels and toes addresses specific texture concerns while overall scrubbing creates uniform smoothness. Exfoliation timing typically involves 5-10 minutes of thorough scrubbing before rinsing. Some scrubs include chemical exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids that continue working after physical scrubbing stops, providing deeper exfoliation than mechanical action alone. The scrub rinse removes all product residue, preparing feet for the intensive moisturizing and massage phase. Incomplete rinsing leaves graininess that interferes with massage comfort and reduces moisturizer absorption. ### Massage and Moisturizing Treatment Professional foot and calf massage represents the most therapeutic pedicure element, lasting 10-20 minutes in standard services. The massage addresses multiple goals: improving circulation that benefits nail growth and skin health, releasing muscle tension from standing and walking, stimulating pressure points affecting overall wellbeing, and working rich moisturizer deeply into skin. Massage techniques include bottom-of-foot pressure point work relieving tension, toe manipulation addressing each digit individually, ankle rotation improving joint flexibility, heel and Achilles tendon massage releasing tight muscles, and calf work promoting circulation and reducing swelling. Intensive foot moisturizer application uses rich creams containing ingredients like urea for softening thick skin, glycerin for deep hydration, shea butter for barrier protection, and natural oils for nourishment. These specialized foot products address the unique challenges of foot skin: extreme thickness, chronic dryness from constant shoe wearing, and exposure to pressure and friction. Some pedicures add paraffin wax treatment—warm wax dipping that encases feet for deep moisturizing through heat-enhanced penetration while providing therapeutic warmth for arthritis or joint pain. The wax peels off after 10-15 minutes, revealing dramatically softened skin. ### Polish Application Process Toenail preparation for polish involves wiping with alcohol or specialized prep removing oils and residue that prevent adhesion. This dehydrating step ensures polish bonds directly to nail plates for maximum durability. Toe separators position toes apart preventing polish smudging during application and drying. These foam or silicone spacers are essential for neat application on closely-spaced toes. Base coat application provides foundation for lasting pedicures, preventing staining from dark polishes while smoothing nail surface for even color coverage. Toenail base coats may include extra strengthening compounds because toenails face more pressure and impact than fingernails. Color polish application uses two thin coats for uniform, durable coverage. Toenail polish application requires more precision than fingernails because the smaller nail size makes flooding onto skin more likely. Professional technique ensures complete coverage without mess. Top coat sealing adds shine and protects color from chipping. Toenail polish lasts longer than fingernail polish—often 2-3 weeks—because toes face less contact with water and surfaces than hands. Quality top coat with edge-capping technique maximizes this durability. Quick-dry drops or spray may be applied to speed drying and reduce smudging risk. However, complete toenail polish curing still requires 30+ minutes of very careful toe movement to prevent damage to the fresh application.

**Available at both locations**: - **Newcastle City Centre**: Comprehensive pedicure services using professional techniques for healthy, beautiful feet. - **Gosforth**: Over 25 years of pedicure expertise ensuring proper foot care with no shortcuts or rushed treatments. **Our Pedicure Services**: - Standard Pedicure: £20 | 45 minutes - Gel Pedicure: £28 | 60 minutes - Luxury Spa Pedicure: £40 | 75 minutes [Book Your Pedicure](#) - Available on Treatwell, Fresha, and Booksy